Understanding the Basic Principles of Podiatry.

Foot-related lameness is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the equine industry. Therapeutic shoeing is a frequently used preventative discipline for the treatment of many causes of lameness. The primary goal for therapeutic applications is to offset the mechanical limitations and enhance the healing environment.

Hoof capsule distortion: understanding the mechanisms as a basis for rational management.

Understanding the basic mechanisms of hoof capsule distortion enables the clinician to unravel the sometimes complex mix of abnormalities, identify early warning signs, and manage existing problems more effectively. Distortion of the hoof capsule can often seem like a complicated puzzle by the time the veterinarian is called to examine the lame horse. Evaluating each of the components of the hoof capsule, both individually and as an integrated unit, allows the clinician to tease apart the tangle of primary and secondary problems and come up with effective options for countering or attenuating the forces responsible for the distortion.

Radiographic imaging of the equine foot.

Radiographic examination of the equine foot can provide the veterinarian and farrier with a wealth of information. Positioning and selection of exposure factors are of central importance if one is to produce radiographs of maximum diagnostic value.