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Studies of the wild mustang hoof are being conducted by people interested in horse health and care. Domesticated equine hooves show some differences from those of feral horses, and experts are trying to determine the effects of genetics and of environment on foot structure. Some terms used and conclusions drawn are Greek to the average horse owner, but others can benefit all horsemen.
Feral horses live in many environments, but studies of those in drier, more abrasive areas are especially valuable. The wild mustang from high plateaus in the American West or rocky wastes of Australia have short, rounded feet that are hard enough to withstand the constant wear. Wild herds in more humid climates with muddy or sandy ground will not share these characteristics.
The feet of desert horses are uniformly short, hard, and round. Constant wear keeps both toe and heel short, and the frog both shallow and close to the ground. The soles are thick and so are the walls of the foot, making the hooves sturdy and able to withstand the roughness of the ground. X-rays show that the coffin bone is parallel to the ground, which is the best configuration.
Genetic factors probably play a lesser part in hoof development for mustangs, since any serious flaws make the afflicted animal easy prey to predators. If horses with healthy hooves survive to breed and produce young, the good traits will be passed along. Club feet, which are abnormally steep and narrow, are almost never found in mustangs, for example.
It makes sense that a protected horse with a problem can pass it along to future generations if breeders are not very selective. Breed associations try to enforce conformation standards, but many purebred animals are developing this kind of problem. Confinement, repetitive training, and poor care contribute to the ills of domestic horses, and improper trimming and shoeing can compromise soundness.
The studies done on mustangs tell horse owners that a short toe and heel are good for soundness and balance. If horses are left with long toes after trimming, or the heels are allowed to grow too far forward under the foot, the natural angles of the foot are altered. This puts strain on the entire leg as well as the inner structure of a hoof. The walls are also important for strength and to retain inner moisture, but many people rasp the wall off in shoeing and trimming.
The bottom of an equine hoof is a miracle of design that should be interfered with as little as possible. The bars of the foot support the whole and should be left intact. Frogs should always be in contact with the ground, since this promotes blood flow to the whole foot and leg. The walls are part of the support system that should be left alone as much as possible after the foot is shortened and leveled.
The wild mustang hoof is made for survival and soundness. Horse lovers, both amateur and professional, can learn much from an examination of this winning design. For domestic horses, good care, proper trimming, and careful shoeing can help off-set the negatives of a less than natural way of life.
Feral horses live in many environments, but studies of those in drier, more abrasive areas are especially valuable. The wild mustang from high plateaus in the American West or rocky wastes of Australia have short, rounded feet that are hard enough to withstand the constant wear. Wild herds in more humid climates with muddy or sandy ground will not share these characteristics.
The feet of desert horses are uniformly short, hard, and round. Constant wear keeps both toe and heel short, and the frog both shallow and close to the ground. The soles are thick and so are the walls of the foot, making the hooves sturdy and able to withstand the roughness of the ground. X-rays show that the coffin bone is parallel to the ground, which is the best configuration.
Genetic factors probably play a lesser part in hoof development for mustangs, since any serious flaws make the afflicted animal easy prey to predators. If horses with healthy hooves survive to breed and produce young, the good traits will be passed along. Club feet, which are abnormally steep and narrow, are almost never found in mustangs, for example.
It makes sense that a protected horse with a problem can pass it along to future generations if breeders are not very selective. Breed associations try to enforce conformation standards, but many purebred animals are developing this kind of problem. Confinement, repetitive training, and poor care contribute to the ills of domestic horses, and improper trimming and shoeing can compromise soundness.
The studies done on mustangs tell horse owners that a short toe and heel are good for soundness and balance. If horses are left with long toes after trimming, or the heels are allowed to grow too far forward under the foot, the natural angles of the foot are altered. This puts strain on the entire leg as well as the inner structure of a hoof. The walls are also important for strength and to retain inner moisture, but many people rasp the wall off in shoeing and trimming.
The bottom of an equine hoof is a miracle of design that should be interfered with as little as possible. The bars of the foot support the whole and should be left intact. Frogs should always be in contact with the ground, since this promotes blood flow to the whole foot and leg. The walls are part of the support system that should be left alone as much as possible after the foot is shortened and leveled.
The wild mustang hoof is made for survival and soundness. Horse lovers, both amateur and professional, can learn much from an examination of this winning design. For domestic horses, good care, proper trimming, and careful shoeing can help off-set the negatives of a less than natural way of life.
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