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The harmful effects of shoeing |
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Page 3 of 3
With a reduction of circulation, metabolism at a cellular level is also adversely effected. Excess protein is not used in the building of tissue (ie. horn) but builds up in the organism (laminits, etc.) The results of vibration have not yet been studied in horses. In human medicine, comparable effects exist in people working with vibrating tools such as saws, etc. Raynaud's Syndrome, a condition showing alteration in blood vessels, is one of the problems associated with vibration. Laminitic horses show comparable alterations in their blood vessels, so vibration of shoes may be a factor in this. Shoes change the way the horse's foot meets the ground. On soft ground, into which they sink, they have a stronger than normal breaking action; on rock, asphalt and ice, they slip unnaturally. These unnatural actions have to be compensated for by muscles and ligaments, and can eventually lead to shoulder and hip problems. Logic would tell us that it is nonsensical to treat the symptoms without removing the cause.
A reduction of the damaging effects is found in horses whose hooves are regularly exposed to water, so that the horn can at least retain its elasticity. This explains to a great deal the seemingly problem-free, long period in which a horse may be ridden while shod: highly active lifestyle in a wet climate.
Today, many hooves are brittle and dried out to the point of having lost their natural elasticity, which by itself can lead to shock absorption and circulatory reduction.
There are no statistics about lasting damage from the kicks of shod horses; certain is that many people would be alive if the horse's hoof which caught them in the head had not been shod. Orthopedic shoes are heavier, more tightly attached, and the already damaging effects are magnified on an ill foot. Pressure on the frog or the sole causes a steepening of the coffin bone through the horse's attempt to evade the painful pressure. The result is that the angle between coffin bone and middle phalanx decreases. The digital arteries are squeezed shut just outside the coffin bone. This gives a good deal of relief from pain, since the nerves are prevented from working, but healing is obviously not a consequence of this situation. This is especially true of the wedge pads.
A lesser, but still existent evil is the damaging effect of nails, vibrating inside the horn capsule.
EFFECTS OF "PROPER" SHOEING:
1. CONTRACTED HOOVES - the hoof meets the ground in a different way, since the horse is trying to evade the pain in the heel area; leads to muscle, tendon, and joint problems 2. BRUISING OF CORIUM - leads to lack of circulation, changes in metabolism leading to decreased horn formation and poor quality of horn, problems in the laminae, lack of sensation in the sole leading to tripping, etc., suspected problems in the metabolic rate of organs
3. INCREASED IMPACT FORCES - lead to bruising, tearing, strains with morphological changes in the corium, the hoof cartilage and joints, tendons, even hoof cancer
4. VIBRATION - leads to similar damages as in humans (vascular changes; Raynaud's disease) 5. WEIGHT OF SHOES - puts strain on the joint capsules and leads to periostosis, arthritis, and increased damage on injury
6. CHANGE IN IMPACT - unnatural mechanics lead to muscle and tendon damage
7. NAIL HOLES - destroy the horn wall and decrease elasticity
8. METABOLISM DISRUPTIONS - lead to organic damage
In every case, shoeing presents unnecessary harm to the horse--unnecessary, if the horse's biological needs are met.
With friendly permition by DVM H. Strasser
Copyright © 2005 Dr. vet. med. H. Strasser
Ed & Trans. Sabine Kells
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