Wallace's Farrier Service

Correct Trimming & Shoeing for Balance & Performance

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Natural Balance

This system was developed by Gene Ovnicek, (RMF/Clinician) of the Equine Digit Support System and the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization.

The Natural Balance System of Trimming and Shoeing
(Excerpts from Natural Balance trimming course)

The natural Balance hoof care system was developed for Owners, Farriers, Veterinarians, who wish to:

• Become more aware of the horse’s foot by way of scientific research and the observations of the naturally prepared foot.
• Understand what is healthy & normal and what is distorted & abnormal and how performance & soundness is affected by an unhealthy or distorted foot
• Understand good foot function and how to achieve equilibrium around the DIP joint
• Have a set of guidelines & principles to follow for hoof maintenance that will help overcome distorted feet.
• Have a set of hoof preparation guidelines that will support the biomechanical needs of the foot, with special attention given  to the caudal foot function & medial/lateral balance
• Have a set of guidelines to help better understand the movement of the horse from a performance & soundness perspective (e.g.-hoof landing, length of stride, etc.)

Definition of Hoof Balance

Hoof Balance is the state whereby the hoof wall, sole, bars & frog are prepared so that equilibrium exists in and around the coffin joint. With a shoe placed on the foot, a maximum base of support should be provided while still minimizing stresses and leverages to the lower limb, both statically and dynamically.