In this lesson, Rich breaks down how crucial a proper fitting shoe is when it comes to the flexion, expansion, and impact a horse's hoof is subject to on a daily basis. He also goes over how important the placement of the breakover point is when it comes to aligning the horse's bones to avoid unwanted stress on tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Key Takeaways:
Because the hoof needs to flex and expand upon impact, shoes that are fit too small can seriously constrict the hoof's ability to absorb shock.
Have you ever noticed shiny spots on your horse's old shoes? Those spots are created by the natural flexion and expansion of the horse's hooves creating friction on the shoe surface.
Breakover: The last place of contact where the hoof or shoe pushes off and leaves the ground. We typically want to see the breaker point placed in alignment with the horse's natural alignment of the bones within the hoof and fetlock to avoid unnecessary stress on the joints and tendons.
