CONFIRMATION EVALUATION

Walking, trotting, across line of vision, the foot flight should follow a perfect vertical arc, the peak occurring as the hoof in motion passes the opposite leg. Deviations noted are:

52- Peak of arc occurs too soon ( 5 ) [75]

This is another look at the relationship of the hoof and pastern axis and the effect it has on the length of stride. A long toe delays breakover, causing the foot to kick higher, too soon, and travel too far. As the following entry is related, but has a stiffer rating, it is important to decide if a broken axis is at fault. and if it can be corrected.

53- Over-reaches ( 8-10 ) [70,71,77]

This is the effect of an axis that cannot be corrected, Too Long of Legs, Standing Forward, or a number of other faults that force the hind foot so far forward that it will strike the fore foot on the tailing edge of the horseshoe, to slashing the rear of the cannon.

The mildest form of this is called Forging— from the sound of one horseshoe striking another. This is somewhat common to young horses when first shod, and a bit tired from a hard workout. In two year-olds, the problem can be corrected.

Severe scalping and cutting is something else. As mentioned, weight increases the length of an arc, and because of this a horse with over-reaching problems is sold barefoot. If, from conformation, or the length of the arc, or healed scars, you suspect a step that is too long, chalk the entire hoof and look for contact marks.

A horse that Paces — a gait similar to a trot, except that the limbs on a side both come forward at the same time — would, of course, show Cross-Firing on the diagonal forefoot.

54- Short steps ( 5-10 ) [ 21,40]

Short toe, high heel, straight-up pastern and shoulder, produce a short, quick, choppy — sometimes called Trappy — ride that is disagreeable to rider, injury prone for horse. The effect of breakover is quick, the arc is short and not very high at first.

55- No arc at all ( 10 ) [19,27,68]

Again, if you marked the above entry, take a good look at this one. Overall lameness of the shoulder, knee or stifle, hock, results in the effect of the hooves being drug forward, kicking up dust and rocks because the arc is too low.

56- Pounds the ground ( 10 ) [19 ,27,37,68,77]

Also very similar, if the front hooves come down hard, refer back to ''stands forward from knees down," or Calf Knees.

57- Lands on toes ( 10 ) [27,68,77]

And while we are at it, might as well check again for Navicular Disease. If only one hoof is affected, increased lameness will be noted when the horse is turned in that direction.