Decoding the Hoof Capsule
8 Hoof Types Explained

©2011, EQUUS-the balanced equation

Aligned Bony Column
in the healthy hoof

• there is laminae integrity

• the bony column is aligned

• Dorso palmar and medio-lateral balance supports the bony column under the limb with optimal breakover.

• Extensor process is high in the hoof capsule sling with good sole concavity and uniform sole thickness.

• Good form of structures: bars are straight, good heel base, healthy frog tissue and fibrous digital cushion and collateral cartilages.

• Tight suspensory system and healthy joint function.

What is “Normal”?
Presentation of an appealing hoof that is considered to be functionally sound. It may be difficult to verbally define “normal”. There is no one formula that works for every horse in every situation. For each horse, we can often envision it without being able to actually describe it. “Normal” varies from horse to horse and is essentially a hoof that works for that horse, considering his work and environment which varies with time and circumstance. Normal aka healthy hoof.

The pathological hoof presents with a Broken Forward Bony Column at P2/P3.

The classic example is the “club foot” but this is only one of many variations on this theme. Increased tension of the deep digital flexor tendon appears to be the primary cause. This condition can be congenital or acquired. Contracture of the DDFT varies in degrees of severity. The ‘club foot’ is the most commonly referred to. There are four grades:

In sum: Grade 1 – Only note a difference in the hoof angles that returns with each trim

Grade 2 – Greater difference in hoof angles, growth rings begin to change. Cannot lower fully trimmed heel to ground

Grade 3 – Front wall dished and heel growth rings twice as wide as anterior wall. Begin demineralization of tip of P3

Grade 4 – front hoof wall 80+ degree hoof angle and severe dish. Severe P3 changes, sole below wall

Upright Non-Pathological Hoof:
An upright distal limb conformation may have a more upright hoof capsule, but it presents with an aligned bony column and is in line with a normal configuration for upright conformation.

LTUH: Long Toe, Underun Heel
LTLH: Long Toe, Low Heel

Common characteristics:

• Typical Long dished/flared toe

• Low or Crushed Heels

• Atrophied Digital Cushion

• Collapsing heel tubules running forward

• Typically positive Palmar Angles unless long   term pathology causes heel collapse

• Radiographs would show thickened distal   HLZ (lamellar wedge)

• Broken back bony column alignment

This hoof capsule configuration causes many difficulties for farriers and veterinarians alike. It is involved in many lameness issues, and can be difficult to correct if the trimming protocol adapted to address the hoof distortion. In the past, various hoof distortions were generalized and lumped into one hoof type called LTUH or LTLH. We propose to look at these hoof distortions and further categorize the long toed hoof capsules into three distinc groupings:
1. LTUH, LTLH
2. Migrated Hoof Capsule
3. BullNosed Hoof Capsule