The answer is A LOT! Simply put, a comfortable horse with comfortable body and balanced hooves will stand relaxed, without tension and with minimum effort. This photo demonstrates just how comfy this pony is following our trim. He doesn’t have perfectly healthy hooves yet and is still in hoof rehab phase but the responses of the pony, the observations of the owner and my documentation tell me we’re on the right track!
A horse with unbalanced and unhealthy hooves will be forced to stand and move in a compensatory pattern and this results in tension and even discomfort and takes more energy… it is simply depleting! In addition, it places the horse at real risk of trauma, injury, disease, infection and even premature death.
It works the other way too…see the second photo of a horse with unbalanced hooves and an unbalanced, tense body The unhealthy posture influences how the horse stands and moves and this can cause imbalances and trauma in the hooves and limbs… wherever it begins, it requires skill in breaking the cycle and help integrate positive changes from hoof to body and back again to create healthy posture and hooves.
We take an integrative and holistic approach to whole horse hoof and body health. We appreciate the relationship between body, limb and hoof and seek to address imbalances while positively influencing appropriate static and dynamic hoof balance and biomechanics.
Beccy Smith BSc DAEP EBW – Independent Equine Podiatrist and CEO of Holistic Reflections CIC
Holistic Reflections CIC – a 100% non-profit organisation promoting wellbeing and resilience in people, horses and the environment - for the benefit of all.