#horses - #A healthier horse.

A healthier horse.

Why is it that people that tide do not study the biology of horses. They do not see how much better barefoot and waiting till horses back is finished fusing.

What is it that people do not care that hoofs flex. When shoes do not allow this, including the frog is supposed to be flush with the ground to pump blood to hoof and legs. With the frog unable to be flush with ground it does not work as well. People that try to go barefoot give up because they get sore in a few days in put shoes back on. It can take 6 months to a year to adjust but people think that they adjust immediately. Like I explain to people it's like you getting use to barefoot it takes time.

For those that will say horse hoof don't work like that, they don't flex.: The frog has several functions, one of which is to act as a pump that helps the horse circulate blood back up the legs. ... Because good circulation is essential to equine foot health, poor shoeing, over use of shoeing, or poor hoof trimming practices, can all really affect the horse's foot health over the long term.

The frog is a shock absorber in its own right, and it also distributes concussion to the internal digital cushion. The frog provides traction and helps to prevent slipping, and is also an aid to blood circulation and heel expansion because of its position between the bars of the hoof. The frog should not be trimmed, except to remove flaking pieces after trimming the rest of the hoof. The frog should be level with the ground surface of the walls of the heels.

A couple different paragraphs that shoe how they work.

Why is it that people think it's okay to ride or break horses before the back is fused. The part that we sit on is the last of the bones to fuse. This means they are not fully physically ready to ride. We should wait the knees do not fuse until 4. Backs do not finish until the age of 5 or 6 depending on how large the horse is. This also gives them a little time to mentally be prepared also we are asking a lot of babies. Doing only 15 minutes of ground work is the best thing when they are 4 (some are earlier) lots of ground work. This way they learn questions and know what is asking of them. All of mine for example are taught what words are associated for walk trot lope whoa back. This is all don't on ground. When I get one I start to use legs to associate with those words. Sometimes use lounge whip to put sight the pressure side as the are in ground work. But not often. This has made a world for difference in how much I am able to communicate with them once in the saddle. For those that do not know or question what I am saying.

BONE OSSIFICATION CENTER AGE AT FUSION Scapula Bicipital tuberosity* 1 year Tuber spinae* 3 years Humerus Proximal epiphysis 3 – 3.5 years Distal epiphysis 15 – 18 mos. Radius Proximal epiphysis 15 – 18 mos. Distal epiphysis 3.5 years Ulna Olecranon* 3.5 years Distal end (two epiphyses) Before age 2 Metacarpus Proximal epiphysis Before birth Distal epiphysis 15 – 18 mos. 1st Phalanx Proximal epiphysis 13 – 15 mos. Distal epiphysis Before birth 2nd Phalanx Proximal epiphysis 9 – 12 mos. Distal epiphysis Before birth 3rd Phalanx Proximal epiphysis Near time of birth Pelvis Hip socket components 1.5 – 2 years Ossification complete 4.5 – 5 years Femur Proximal end (2 epiphyses) 3 – 3.5 years Distal epiphysis 3 – 3.5 years 3rd trochanter* 2 – 4 years Tibia Proximal epiphysis 3 – 3.5 years Distal epiphysis 20 mos. – 2 years Fibula Proximal epiphysis ? 2-3 years (variable) Distal epiphysis Fuses with tibia by 3 mos. Fibular tarsal (Calcaneum) Tuber calcis* 3 years Metatarsal Proximal epiphysis Before birth Distal epiphysis 16 – 20 mos. Vertebrae Dorsal process, tip 4 - 5 years Accessory processes 3 - 5 years Anterior physis** 3 - 5 years Posterior physis 5 or more years

A normal horse has 32 vertebrae between the back of the skull and the root of the dock, and there are several growth plates on each one, the most important of which is the one capping the centrum. These do not fuse until the horse is at least 5 ½ years old (and this figure applies to a small-sized, scrubby, range-raised mare. The taller your horse and the longer its neck, the later the last fusions will occur.

I look forward to comments and any questions as long as being polite I will not answer rude people.

I have studied this for a few years to understand better how horses work for body wise to better work with them. That way as I train I could do a better job. As well as making sure they are mentally and physically ready for all we ask of them.

Submitted February 16, 2018 at 10:06AM by fourleafclover13
via reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Horses/comments/7y05sj/a_healthier_horse/?utm_source=ifttt