Hoof conformation is one of the most important factors in allowing a horse to live an athletic life free from lameness. The adage ‘no foot, no horse’ is as true today as when it was first phrased.
Hoof conformation is a result of the horse’s genetics, conformation, job and the regularity and quality of farriery they are given. Maintaining a healthy, balanced hoof shape can dramatically reduce the risk of lameness arising from the lower limb or hoof. Without regular appropriate farriery input, even a normal shaped hoof can easily become unbalanced and put undue stress across the hoof capsule making it likely to crack or the horse to become lame.
