Holistic hoof treatment (abridged)

SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE & METHODS:

‑ studied with Professor Ruthe, formerly of the Humboldt University of Berlin  - research from worldwide sources, both old and new, who presented findings on the subject (eg.  Xenophon, Clark, Pollitt, Jackson, Wrangel, Spohr, Blendinger, Bein, Alexander, Zierold, to name a few)  - experience with own horses that the unshod hoof is able to withstand any reasonable use of the horse, led to experimental treatment of lameness through restoration of the natural hoof shape, which met with resounding success

SUMMARY:

Diseases of domestic horses have three main causes:

1. lack of sufficient movement
2. poor air quality in stables
3. shoeing and improper trimming

 Experience has proven that nearly all diseases of the motion apparatus can be cured or significantly improved in a matter of weeks or months, once the above‑listed causes are removed.
 METHOD OF TREATMENT

The shape of the hoof has evolved through millions of years of natural living, and is quite capable of meeting any demands in that natural environment.  Horses with lameness problems originating in the hoof have deformed feet (by years of shoeing or improper trimming) and these are no longer able to function properly, or only with pain.  The first step, therefore, is to free the hoof of the shoe, and restore its natural shape through frequent trimming (several times a week, is sometimes required, to keep up with the initial changes, as the hoof decontracts.)

 "Natural shape" means the shape that free‑living horses' feet have, which remain sound without the aid of man.  Only in this form can the hoof carry out its essential functions, which are:         

1. secure footing on all terrain
2. shock absorption
3. circulatory pump

Such a natural hoof has the following characteristics:  -  front foot about 45 degrees, hind about 55.  However these angles are not something to be aimed for, they will naturally grow to their physiologically correct shape (whatever that may be) if the undamaged coffin bone is kept ground parallel, and the hoof has full function.

 When seen from the front, the width of the coronet band is comparable to the height of the hoof from toe to coronet band (varies slightly with warmblood, draft, donkey, etc.) ‑ when seen from the side (or front), the base of the hoof is wider than the coronet band ‑ when seen from the side, the coronet band, should be a smooth, straight line lowest at the heel ‑ the frog must be as wide as the heel at the heel, otherwise the foot is contracted and will contract instead of expand during the weightbearing phase of each step ‑ the wall at the heel must be the same height as the bulb; any protrusion of the wall here results in the bars being levered into the interior of the hoof; bars should be shorter, not on the same level as the wall during the non‑weightbearing phase of a step

Any deviation from this shape causes strains, tears or bruising of the living tissue inside the hoof.     

The return to the natural hoof form takes place while the hoof is growing, and is restricted to the speed at which this takes place.  Daily hoof baths support the rehabilitation process by keeping the horn elastic; movement in and by the herd assures constant circulation and as such horngrowth and healing.  Dr. Strasser's hoof clinic has areas with rubber mats as flooring, for those horses unable to walk on hard ground during the first part of rehabilitation.  Passive exercises such as TTouch, acupuncture massage, etc.  support the healing; homeopathic substances are also helpful at times.         

The goal of treatment is the full return of the horse to a normal workload without any relapses to lameness.  Age is a factor to a point, since older horses heal more slowly and have also been subjected to the damaging factors (shoeing, etc.)  much longer.  Rehabilitation time will always be relative to the amount of time the hoof has been kept in an incorrect shape.

Copyright Dr. vet. med. H. Strasser

Ed. & Trans.: Sabine Kells

Professor Ruthe – Humbolt University of Berlin
Xenophon
Clark
Dr C. Pollit
Jaime Jackson
Wrangel
Spohr
Blendinger
L. Bein
Alexander
Zierold