Q.
> > I've long insisted out here that Missouri Fox Trotters [and usually
> > Tennessee Walkers too] need "more foot" than the average
western horse
> > breed, but cannot seem to convince many horse practitioners
here. Would
> > like very much to hear feedback on this subject from many
of you, both
> > published and private. With your permission, I would
print out your
> > remarks and make them available, for vets, farriers and new
owners in
> > this area.
A.
There is no set toe length measurement for any horse. The toe length
is determined by the size of the horse and by the size of the foot. A 500
lb 2 yr old shetland pony will wear a #1 pony shoe and could have a 2"
toe length. A 1200 lb 2 yr old warmblood will wear a #3 horse sized shoe
and have a 4" toe length.
The shorter toe lengths in many of the western breeds came about from the race track. A horse with a shorter hoof will breakover faster thus allowing it to run a little faster. (the object of a race horse) since most race horses are started under saddle at 16-18 months of age the trainers are starting with a shorter hoof. They have these hooves trimmed every few weeks in order to get/keep them shorter. It is quite similar to the fingernails of a "nail biter". someone who has bit their nails most of their lives will have very short nails, many times less than 3/16" long. Whereas if the person quit biting their nails the nails would easily grow to 1/2" long. The "nail biters" fingers don't hurt because they have gotten acclimated over time to the short nails. If the nails of a person who doesn't bite their nails were to be cut as short as the "nail biter's" they would bleed and be very sore!
The hoof capsule was designed to act as a shock absorber as well as a propellant. This means that there must be enough mass within the hoof capsule to allow this. Most average size (1000-1200 lbs) horses will wear a #1 or #2 keg shoe, they will have a toe length of 3 1/2" to 4". The same horse with a 2" toe will wear a size 0 or 00 and have less tha 1/2 hoof capsule mass to absorb the concussion. This is one of the reasons you rarely see an old race horse, and the reason so many stock type horses suffer from Navicular Disease.
All of the "gaited" breeds (foxtrotters, walking horses, Am. saddlebreds, etc.) as well as Arabians and Standardbreds average a toe length of 3 1/4" to 5" depending on the size of the horse.
In my professional opinion trimming a gaited horse, or any horse for that matter, to a 2" toe is abuse!! (it is like saying all men MUST wear a size 6 shoe)
Bob
Ret. licensed farrier.
MFTHBA DQP lic#23
My Credentials; Almost 57 years practical experience as a farrier.
I have shod stock horses, race horses, pleasure horses, and all kinds of
gaited horses. I am a graduate of Cal Poly farrier college and have been
licensed to shoe on racetracks in at least 8 states. I have taught horseshoeing
seminars and clinics in many states as well as to the USDA VMOs. (Veterinary
Medical Officers)