Main description:

The equine hoof is a complex marvel of natural engineering, built to withstand tremendous forces and able to adapt to an astonishing range of environmental conditions. It also changes daily-for better or for worse-in response to external and internal factors.

Few horse owners have the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of the hoof, which limits their ability to advocate on their horses' behalf and make informed decisions about hoof care and management. This book is the first resource of its kind to combine the most current and useful information available, gleaned from the research and wisdom of top hoof experts around the world, with a unique 'hands-on' approach.

The authors provide basic terms and anatomy, clearly illustrate the differences between healthy and unhealthy feet, discuss biomechanics and management concerns, and cover the causes, treatments, and prevention of commonly encountered problems, including laminitis, white line disease, and thrush. Along the way, readers are given activities to help them better analyse and understand the most important aspects of equine hoof health, such as hoof balance, depth of sole, and point of breakover.

Easy-to-follow language, over 400 full-colour photographs, and do-it-yourself exercises promise to empower horse owners and caretakers of all experience levels with the tools they need to accurately assess hoof health and keep their horses as sound and happy as possible.

Contents:

Foreword by Gene Ovnicek
Introduction

SECTION ONE: ANATOMY
1. Useful Anatomical Terms
2. Exterior Hoof Anatomy - Coronary band and Hoof Wall
3. Exterior Hoof Anatomy - Solar View
4. Interior Hoof Anatomy

SECTION TWO: RECOGNISING HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY FEET
5. Size, Shape, and the Hoof Wall
6. Angles of the Hoof and Heel Assessment
7. Balance and Symmetry
8. Toe Length - The Long and Short of It
9. Frog, Sole, and Bar Health
10. Cracks, Bruises, Abscesses, and Puncture Wounds

SECTION THREE: DISEASE PROCESSES INSIDE THE FOOT
11. Laminitis/'Founder'
12. The Chapter Formerly Known as Navicular Disease
13. Sidebone, Ringbone, and Pedal Osteitis

SECTION FOUR: CREATING HEALTHY HOOVES
14. How Hooves get Healthy and Stay That Way
15. Going Barefoot
16. A Few Notes on Mules, Donkeys, Minis and Drafts

Appendix
For Further Information
About the Authors
Credits
Acknowledgements
Index