{"id":2642,"date":"2018-08-27T10:02:16","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T14:02:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/?p=2642"},"modified":"2018-08-27T10:02:16","modified_gmt":"2018-08-27T14:02:16","slug":"basic-shoeing-12-points-of-reference-for-evaluating-limb-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/basic-shoeing-12-points-of-reference-for-evaluating-limb-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Shoeing: 12 Points of Reference for Evaluating Limb Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><strong>By Dave Farley and Roy Bloom<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>We have developed a list of reference points that have helped us in evaluating limb balance and developing a plan for trimming the hoof to maintain or enhance the balance. The following list and images give a good overview of those points and will hopefully give you food for thought in your daily work.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2642 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/1-5\/'><img width=\"271\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1-e1535052364877.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2656\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2656'>\n\t\t\t\t1. The knee. While standing to the side of the horse notice the plane of the knee. This is important as the direction of the plane of the knee affects break over. Also, from the same position, look at the cannon bone and its relationship to the knee. Is it normal, or is it offset medial or lateral to the knee?\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/2-4\/'><img width=\"270\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2-e1535054258860.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2-e1535054258860.png 270w, https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/2-e1535054258860-231x300.png 231w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2657'>\n\t\t\t\t2. While in front of the limb, draw a perpendicular line down through the center of the cannon bone through the pastern and exiting the center of the hoof.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/3-4\/'><img width=\"199\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/3-e1535054362105.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2658\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2658'>\n\t\t\t\t3. Look at the coronary band (frontal view) and its relationship to the ground. Compare the medial and lateral lengths of hoof wall from this view.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/4-4\/'><img width=\"265\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/4-e1535054335209.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2659\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2659'>\n\t\t\t\t4. Now check the hoof edge or shape in relationship to the coronary shape.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-2642 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/5-4\/'><img width=\"198\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/5-e1535054394712-198x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-2660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/5-e1535054394712-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/5-e1535054394712.png 297w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-2660'>\n\t\t\t\t5. From the side (lateral view) of the horse, draw a perpendicular line down through the cannon bone to the highest, widest part of the frog. Position the heels to that point.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/6-4\/'><img width=\"239\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/6-e1535054420124-239x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-2661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/6-e1535054420124-239x300.png 239w, https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/6-e1535054420124.png 299w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 239px) 100vw, 239px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-2661'>\n\t\t\t\t6. From same viewpoint, compare the hoof and pastern alignment. Toe length, heel height and length of pastern should be used to determine normal alignment.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-2642 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/7-4\/'><img width=\"172\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/7-e1535054444303.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-2662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/7-e1535054444303.png 172w, https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/7-e1535054444303-142x300.png 142w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 172px) 100vw, 172px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-2662'>\n\t\t\t\t7. From behind the limb (posterior) draw a perpendicular line down the center of the cannon bone through the pastern and through the center of the frog.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/8-3\/'><img width=\"297\" height=\"226\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/8-e1535054467409.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-2663\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-2663'>\n\t\t\t\t8. Also from the posterior view, compare heel heights and both medial and lateral wall heights.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-2642 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/9-3\/'><img width=\"298\" height=\"197\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/9-e1535054489655.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-2664\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-2664'>\n\t\t\t\t9. In the farrier\u2019s position (FP) of holding the foot, look at heel positioning in relationship to highest, widest part of frog.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/9a\/'><img width=\"198\" height=\"176\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/9a-e1535054581561.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-2665\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-2665'>\n\t\t\t\t9a. In the farrier\u2019s position (FP) of holding the foot, look at heel positioning in relationship to highest, widest part of frog.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"attachment_2666\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/10-e1535054612569.png\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2666\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2666 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/10-e1535054612569.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2666\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">10. From the same farrier\u2019s position (FP) find the medial\/lateral center of the frog (approximately 3\/8\u201d back from the point of the frog). Measure from that point to the widest part of the quarters, both medial and lateral and compare measurements.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-2642 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/11-3\/'><img width=\"246\" height=\"193\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/11-e1535054635528.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-2667\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-2667'>\n\t\t\t\t11. From the farrier\u2019s position (FP) sight the foot to measure heel length and the level of bottom of foot.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/12-3\/'><img width=\"277\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12-e1535054670251.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-2668\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-2668'>\n\t\t\t\t12. With hoof on the foot stand, sight over the coronary band to compare the shape of the hoof edge to the coronary band\u2019s shape. A contour gauge can be very helpful in comparing coronary band shape to the toe.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"attachment_2687\" style=\"width: 609px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12a-1.png\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2687\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2687 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12a-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"599\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12a-1.png 331w, https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12a-1-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2687\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">12a. With hoof on the foot stand, sight over the coronary band to compare the shape of the hoof edge to the coronary band\u2019s shape. A contour gauge can be very helpful in comparing coronary band shape to the toe.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2688\" style=\"width: 609px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12b-1.png\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2688\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2688 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12b-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"599\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12b-1.png 374w, https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/12b-1-300x196.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2688\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">12b. With hoof on the foot stand, sight over the coronary band to compare the shape of the hoof edge to the coronary band\u2019s shape. A contour gauge can be very helpful in comparing coronary band shape to the toe.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The challenge you face in establishing good hoof and limb balance is lessened when you develop your overall perspective of the limb. These reference points are a good guide to help with that effort. It\u2019s nearly impossible to accomplish your goal of achieving good balance when looking only at the hoof when in working position. We\u2019ve found these points of reference to be invaluable in our everyday work. We look forward to going into more detail on the variations we see in these reference points in the video series and future articles.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article is from The Natural Angle Volume 11, Issue 4 &#8211; written by Dave Farley, CF APF-I and Roy Bloom, CJF APF-I. For more Natural Angle articles and tips, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/farriery\/index.html\">click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Dave Farley, CF APF-I<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Dave-Farley-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2026\" src=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Dave-Farley-4-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Dave-Farley-4\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>Dave Farley, CF APF of Coshocton, Ohio has been shoeing horses for over 40 years. He has shod for a broad range of disciplines, including Western horses, Reining, Dressage, Hunters and Jumpers. His business today is focused on Hunters and Jumpers on the \u201cA\u201d circuit.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout his shoeing career he has participated in educational functions. For a number of years he has been doing shoeing clinics in the US and Canada, many sponsored by FPD but also as a guest speaker and clinician at events like the AFA Convention and the International Hoof Care Summit. In 2000 he received the Clinician of the Year Award from the AFA, in recognition of his contributions to the industry. In 2008 he was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n<p>Dave is known for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with farriers throughout the industry. His dedication is obvious to those who have heard him speak in the past. Dave is a founding member and Immediate Past President of the American Association of Professional Farriers. This is a national farriers association focused on continuing education for the trade.<\/p>\n<p>He also partnered with Roy Bloom to form a video company called Hot Iron Productions. The goal of the company is to produce top quality video footage to help explain shoeing and forging concepts, including their latest issues, 12 Points of Reference \u2013 Balancing the Equine Hoof and Shoeing the Jumper.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Roy Bloom, CJF APF-I<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Roy-Bloom-in-teaching-mode.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-1845 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Roy-Bloom-in-teaching-mode-295x300.jpg\" alt=\"PhotoELF Edits: 2013:10:30 --- Saved as: 24-Bit JPEG (EXIF) Format 98 % --- batch crop --- crop\" width=\"169\" height=\"163\" \/><\/a>Roy Bloom has been shoeing horses since 1973. He has been a member of the American Farrier\u2019s Team on two different occasions and for many years served as the manager of the team. Roy has always been willing to share the extensive knowledge he\u2019s gained over the years with members of the farrier industry. In addition to his farrier background, he developed a strong interest in blacksmithing and tool making and for many years has been manufacturing a broad range of farrier and blacksmith tools. He also has a fully equipped shop and the ability to do a wide variety of ornamental and artistic work. Roy\u2019s work as a clinician has earned him the Educator of the Year Award from the AFA and a position in the Horseshoer\u2019s Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Dave Farley and Roy Bloom We have developed a list of reference points that have helped us in evaluating limb balance and developing a plan for trimming the hoof to maintain or enhance the balance. The following list and &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/basic-shoeing-12-points-of-reference-for-evaluating-limb-balance\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2642"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2698,"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642\/revisions\/2698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}