theequinedocumentalist
The quantification and definition of a new hoof balance paradigm
An investigation into the current hoof balance parameters and the quantification and definition of a new hoof balance paradigm The...
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theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Neuro-Bio-Tensegrity, the Push Puppet Effect
The interconnectivity of the horse’s musculoskeletal system, and the complexities of movement is continuously being unravelled and has...
1,775
theequinedocumentalist
- 19 min
Negative Plantar Angles and Pathology Along the Dorsal Myofascial Line
An Investigation into the Postural Link Between Negative Plantar Angles and Concurrent Pathology Along the Dorsal-Myofascial Line Using...
6,814
theequinedocumentalist
- 4 min
The Importance of Trim Plane
How can we change the palmar/plantar angle with the trim? We know that hoof growth during an average shoeing cycle reduces the...
3,169
theequinedocumentalist
- 3 min
Hoof Capsule Integrity for Improved Morphology
Long toe, low heels are something that every farrier deals with at some point in their daily practice. But are there misconceptions on...
1,389
theequinedocumentalist
- 15 min
Physiological implications of domestication on the horse
Very often, certainly in the argument of barefoot versus shod, comparisons re made between the wild and domestic horse. But in reality,...
3,524
theequinedocumentalist
- 12 min
Hoof Balance - Where and When?
Farriery, until recently, has been based on tradition, anecdotal evidence and personal experience, but with the introduction of objective...
4,991
theequinedocumentalist
- 11 min
The Hoof-Horse Connection
To understand the hoof – horse connection there are certain principles of hoof biomechanics we must first appreciate. How the hoof...
2,068
theequinedocumentalist
- 13 min
Can we Locate the Centre of Rotation from a Lateral Photo?
Pilot study into the accuracy of an external template for the assessment of dorso - palmar hoof balance according to internal...
3,791
theequinedocumentalist
- 1 min
Quantifying the Subclinical
we, both owners and professionals, are failing to recognise pain and lameness in our horses, but there is technology available now that...
1,148
theequinedocumentalist
- 17 min
Evidence Based Podiatry
Farriery has, up till recently, been largely based on anecdotal evidence and experiential opinion. We are entering a new era of...
4,973
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
Palmar Angles
There is much debate about the ideal angle for the pedal bone to sit at in relation to the ground. Some sects suggest a palmar angle of 0...
18,229
theequinedocumentalist
- 6 min
Wet-Dry Cycles - Effect on the Hoof
Winter is coming and with it comes the rain and mud and boggy fields. The reality is in the wild horses would never choose to stand in...
10,387
theequinedocumentalist
- 12 min
Horse Shoes - Back to the Future
For thousands of years horses roamed the grasslands, surviving, thriving and all without the need for something applied to the bottom of...
5,556
theequinedocumentalist
- 12 min
The Hoof - It Is What You Make It
Nature has an inherent ability to improve, to adapt, to survive and to overcome. The miracle of the evolutionary complexities that it...
5,356
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
Hoof Pastern Axis - Influential Factors
Hoof pastern axis (HPA) is a term for the relationship between the hoof and the pastern. There are three categories for HPA; broken back,...
17,228
theequinedocumentalist
- 4 min
Bio-Tensegrity and Farriery - The Foreword
Tensegrity, a combination of the words “tension” and “integrity”, is a principle that has been used in structural engineering for...
10,706
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Bio-Tensegrity and Farriery
Every biological entity is made up of systems upon systems, existing in symbiosis for the collective good. Even our own evolutionary...
5,090
theequinedocumentalist
- 10 min
The Unacceptable Norms of Equine Management and the Inevitable Paradigm Shifts
Social norms are a collective representation of acceptable group conduct and an individual’s perception of their particular groups...
10,128
theequinedocumentalist
- 10 min
Barefoot vs Shod
This debate is often fiercely contested and remains controversial with two schools of thought, traditionally diametrically opposed. As...
14,512
theequinedocumentalist
- 5 min
Supporting Limb Laminitis
Most horses will suffer with a severe unilateral lameness at one time in their life, when this is for prolonged periods of time, such as...
1,730
theequinedocumentalist
- 10 min
Haemodynamic Mechanism - The Key to Hoof Health
The ability to withstand concussive and load forces is vitally important in musculoskeletal health and the hoof is on the front line. At...
9,081
theequinedocumentalist
- 13 min
The Truth about Hoof Pastern Axis
There is conflicting rhetoric traversing the social universe about the importance and ideals of phalangeal alignment and stance angles,...
17,512
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
The Influences on Shoeing Cycle
Shoeing cycle length is a vitally important factor in hoof health and controlling the morphological changes associated with hoof growth...
3,249
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
Myofascial trains, Kinetic chains and Antalgic Posture - Their Farriery Relevance
The relationship between conformation and hoof morphology has been studied, Curtis (2002) outlined the effect of limb deformities on hoof...
9,092
theequinedocumentalist
- 11 min
The Beginning of the N - Navicular
Navicular syndrome (NS) is all too common a pathology, one paper expressed it as appertaining to a third of all forelimb lameness’ and...
7,314
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
The Hoof - The Beginning and End of the Kinetic Chain
Often horses and their teams of professionals struggle with perpetuating cycles. Vets, and physios in particular struggle with...
16,665
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Ex-Racehorse feet
Why do so many ex-racehorses have bad feet? This very interesting question was asked to me recently and the answer is complexed. There is...
8,570
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Horse Shoeing - How Much Length?
There is a long list of factors that influence the amount of length a farrier shoes a horse with, many are environmental; type of work,...
7,696
theequinedocumentalist
- 10 min
Hoof Balance - Shoeing Around the COR in 3 Dimensions
A question that is asked very often whenever people are looking for advice on farriery related issues is “what shoe would you put on for...
15,907
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Farriery Related Conformation-Macro, Micro, Dynamic
A horses conformation is the way it is made up, its structure, how its body parts relate to each other and how it is proportioned....
3,545
theequinedocumentalist
- 8 min
Recognising pain in the horse
Many, many horses are in unrecognised pain. As their owners and caring professionals the responsibility lies with us to get better at...
12,119
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Frog Pressure - Historic vs Modern Applications
Frog function is a vitally important factor in hoof health. A cliché has emerged amongst some farriery circles “use it or lose it.” when...
8,947
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Wedges - A Necessary Evil?
Wedges are widely debated in the farriery world, do they help to create better geometric hoof proportions in a broken back hoof pastern...
11,400
theequinedocumentalist
- 10 min
What About The Hinds? - Shoeing the Powerhouse
Farriery care can often be guilty of being fore limb focused, most of the research on horses’ feet has been fore limb dominant, there are...
13,688
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
High-Low Hoof Conformation - Farriery and Whole Horse Relevance
There is a complexed relationship between the hoof, its conformation and the forces applied to it which affects the entire...
14,575
theequinedocumentalist
- 12 min
Disordered Physiology and Hoof Morphology - The Chicken and the Egg
The physiological effect of poor conformation and hoof morphology on the wider skeletal system of the horse is a highly complexed...
16,108
theequinedocumentalist
- 11 min
Equine Thermography - Hot or not?
The potential uses for thermography in equestrian care have been outlined historically, as far back as Von Schweinitz (1999) its...
3,989
theequinedocumentalist
- 11 min
Ligaments- Their Farriery Relevance
Ligaments are short fibrous connective tissues which connect bone to bone or cartilage, farriery can have huge potential influences on...
18,163
theequinedocumentalist
- 21 min
Supplements- A Brief Review
Equine Powders and Potions- Fact or Fable? The list of supplements, herbal remedies, powders and potions is almost endless, tales of...
1,766
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
The Bearing Surface- Creating optimal basal support
The digit is on the end of the limb, the limb is attached to the body and all this weight is transferred through the hoof. Creating a...
1,620
theequinedocumentalist
- 7 min
Laminitis-A Pictorial Review
Our understanding of laminitis is changing and developing but one thing is clear, it can be a debilitating disease and has long been...
10,037
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
Evidence-Based Farriery
Introduction “No Foot, No Horse!” what does that mean? Originally it came from the cavalry, you needed the hoof of your deceased horse in...
1,524
theequinedocumentalist
- 17 min
Navicular-A Retrospective Study
Introduction The navicular apparatus is designed to dissipate force between the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT) and the third phalanx...
2,630
theequinedocumentalist
- 6 min
Vibration Therapy-What's The buzz about?
The potential benefits of vibration therapy have been long studied, in 1867 Gustav Zander created a series of weights and pullies to...
987
theequinedocumentalist
- 9 min
Brief Review of common Diagnostics
Introduction Lameness diagnosis is not a straightforward process, it requires both skill and experience, firstly recognising the lame...
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Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 4 min
Club foot
What is a club foot? To understand what a club foot is, requires an explanation of two concepts: dorsal hoof wall angle and hoof pastern...
430 views0 comments
Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 6 min
The TMJ - an often ignored joint with jaw-dropping implications
A joint is a connection between two or more bones, allowing for motion in a specific direction. Joints are stabilized by muscles and...
2,412 views1 comment
Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 3 min
A picture says 1000 words
OK, I know that I am slightly obsessed with hooves, but the shape of a hoof can explain so much about what is causing issues in your...
246 views0 comments
Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 2 min
Recommended products
Although I do recommend some products (and subsequently earn a little bit of commission off the top of anyone purchasing these products...
108 views0 comments
Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 6 min
Wonky Feet
How closely do you look at your horse’s feet? Seriously, when was the last time you squatted down to check how symmetrical your horse’s...
267 views0 comments
Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 4 min
Myofascial release
Muscles are responsible for generating motion. They generally span 1 or more joints and have at least one antagonistic muscle, meaning a...
222 views0 comments
Edward Busuttil DVM
- Oct 20, 2022
- 8 min
Headshaking - a symptom of discomfort
Headshaking is one of the most frustrating equine symptoms, and one of the main reasons why I started to perform acupuncture. Most of the...
687 views0 comments
edwardbusuttil
- Mar 30, 2022
- 10 min
Joint Medication: Part 5 - Joint Supplements
On a weekly basis, I am asked which joint supplement I recommend. I have found this extremely difficult - throughout my university and...
295 views0 comments