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Re: [RC] shoes and circulation: data? - Heidi SmithNot trying to revive the 'shoes vs barefoot' debate: but I am curious: are there any scientific studies showing the effects, if any, of shoing on hoof cirulation? My understanding is that as the hoof grows, the clinches loosen, allowing the hoof to expand without constriction (one of the arguments against glue-on shoes is that they do not do this). I'd think with all the neato-whizbang imaging equipment available today someone may have done rsearch on this? They may well have, and if so, I'm not immediately aware of it, but there IS pretty good evidence that most of the expansion and contraction in the hoof as the horse moves occurs behind the quarters, which is why well-shod horses should not have nails placed too far back. (Sometimes it is tough on smaller-footed horses to get the farriers to leave out the heel nail to accommodate that...) You can see proof of this yourself by looking at the wear pattern across the back of the shoe when you pull the old ones off. That's also why the properly shod horse actually has the edge of the shoe from the quarters back "showing" slightly out to the side--you want it under the foot at maximal expansion, rather than just at rest. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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