The Functioning of the Frog and the Digital Cushion

With kind permission of Easycare Trelawne Equine’s blog takes a look at the functioning of the frog and the digital cushion in our latest blog. The frog and digital cushion are often argued to be the most essential part of the horse hoof. The frog horn that is visible to the eye is made up of squamous epithelial tissue that has grown distally from the frog corium. The frog corium is made up of soft tissue that originates below the digital cushion. With every footfall, the frog and digital cushion work together. At ground impact, the frog accepts shock and expands to dissipate force to the lower limb. Simultaneously, the proprioceptors of the heel region judge terrain and ground condition and react accordingly within milliseconds. As pressure is applied to the frog, the digital cushion is compressed under the short pastern, navicular, and coffin bone. The vascular cartilage of the cushion is compacted, forcing blood flow proximally back up the limb of the horse. When the hoof returns to stride, the cartilage is re-supplied by blood flow. The digital cushion has a responsibility of providing angle to the coffin bone. A healthy, firm cushion provides a pedal angle range of 1 to 6 degrees but this may vary depending on veterinarian or hoof care practitioner preference. A digital cushion that is neglected or has not been allowed to develop properly is fatty and soft. Often times, with an underdeveloped cushion the pedal bone will respond by “falling” in the hoof capsule; losing its positive angle and accepting a negative angle. Several causes exist for debilitation of a digital cushion including poor diet and lack of exercise. Loading the hoof wall, such as applying standard metal shoes, hinders the ability of the frog to make contact with ground surface. It can be challenging to maintain a robust frog and digital cushion when inadequate interaction between terrain and heel occurs. However, removing shoes from a horse that has been shod for years and has possibly acquired meager frogs and cushions can be a daunting undertaking. The solution in this case would be to use hoof boots to protect the comfort of the equine during a transition period and throughout a developmental stage, allowing the equine’s hoof condition to improve without the burden of shoeing but without incurring other associated hoof problems until the horse is able to be fully barefoot optimising the functioning of the frog and the digital cushion. A range of hoofboots from the Easycare range are available through Trelawne Equine and their distributors. To find out more about the hoofboots available visit the website www.trelawneequine.co.uk Reproduced from the original post by Easycare http://www.easycareinc.com

Spring Changes Advice from Trelawne Equine

Horse owners everywhere are welcoming spring after the miserably wet winter months but now ‘spring has sprung’ what do horse owners need to consider in order to provide the best care for their horses and ensure optimum health? In our latest blog Trelawne Equine takes a look at the main points to consider in spring regarding the changes which occur to equine diet and lifestyle. Spring is a transition period for both horse owners and the equine as often turnout time increases and as the weather and level of light does too, in many cases so does the amount of riding! These changes to our horse’s routine alter the equine’s nutritional requirements, whether that means a reduction in feed required due to increased turnout or an increase of nutrients needed if the horse’s workload has been ‘upped’! Due to the equine’s sensitive digestive system it is always wise to approach any changes with caution. Trelawne Equine Advises for Spring Changes As we head into spring stand back and take a good look at your horse or pony to assess their body condition and decipher whether your equine has lost or gained condition over the winter. Doing this provides a clearer picture as to whether you need to be more cautious with spring grazing or whether your equine will need extra feeding to provide sustenance for an increased spring workload. For most horse owners the combination of warmer weather, increased light and the showing season typically results in an increased workload for spring. It is essential that your horse is fit enough for this increase so it can be helpful to devise a fitness plan which allows for a gradual increase in work. Remember when considering feeding in relation to workload to be honest about the amount of work that your horse really does. Equines may require an increase in feed as any fitness work steps up to prevent weight loss and to fuel the body and the muscles with what they need to work. Remember fibre is the most important aspect of your horse’s diet so always increase the level of forage, such as hay or grazing prior to increasing concentrate feed. For some, the arrival of Dr Green in the spring months is a welcome sight, but for others this is not always the case. If the horse is a good-doer or prone to laminitis horse owners must restrict access to lush pasture limiting the horse’s ability to gorge on the nutrient rich grass. This does not mean by end means not to allow your horse turn out but simply to manage it wisely by sectioning off smaller areas and inducting them into their increased turn out time gradually. If your horse is lucky enough to have 24/7 grazing why not consider running a flock of sheep in the pasture to help your horse chomp down the nutrient rich pasture? As always, the best measure of correct management is to listen to your horse itself. Monitor his weight carefully using a weigh tape and assess his attitude, temperament and willingness to work. Always give your horse the time he needs to adjust to change and ensure any alterations to the exercise or feeding regime are completed gradually. Our horses often give us the answers we need if we listen carefully enough!