Where does balance begin? For the horse, it begins in it's hooves. When the hooves are balanced, the horse can easily balance it's entire body and the added weight of the rider and tack. Well-balanced hooves provide both horse and rider with confidence and comfort.

When the hooves are unbalanced, the horse must exert more effort to stand and move. This is especially true when the horse is bearing or pulling weight and is moving at speed over challenging terrain. Injuries to the horse and rider are frequently due to poor hoof balance. Fatigue and hoof failure, and even organ failure are often induced by preventable and possibly reversible poor hoof form and condition.

What is true hoof balance? Hoof balance is a natural result of miles of movement on varied terrain that hones hooves to a healthy, well conditioned state. In this state, the hooves support the health and well-being of the horse. As the nature of the horse is that of a nomadic prey animal, designed to move day and night, their intended migratory lifestyle naturally controls the growth rate of their hooves, and wear them to a correctly balanced form.

Domestication typically causes horses to forfeit the lifestyle that enables them to develop, wear, and condition their hooves to true hoof balance. The fair compensation for domestication, then, is caring for horses in a manner befitting their nature as best we can. Developing and maintaining healthy, well-balanced hooves on domestic horses depends more than anything else upon providing 24/7 movement and timely, correct hoof care.

Movement from the time of birth encourages proper development of the internal hoof parts. Vital hoof functions are enabled and horses enjoy better health when they can move freely as nature warrants. Horses denied these benefits are at a disadvantage.

Adequate living space enables horse to move freely and at will. This encourages better wear and conditioning of their hooves. It is the most low-tech and humane way to for hooves.

Available living space for horses is frequently restricted to small parcels of land. The MO Equine Infinity Environment™ is a solution that optimizes movement on a small acreage s it preserves the landscape.

In order to exercise their more full range of hoof flexibility and natural resistance to external wear, hooves adapted to mountain terrain (donkeys, mules, etc.) require the presence of a vertical challenge. A heap of boulders in the living space will assist in better conditioning these types of hooves. Hands-on hoof care will still usually be required.

Even when movement is provided, it may be necessary to aid horses in managing their hooves by removing excess hoof growth. Further "compensation for domestication" is provided as hooves are adjusted to minimally and frequently in order to the wear the hooves would incur naturally.

After the initial trim, hoof care providers "groom" the hooves, more in the manner one would groom the rest of the horse. This is why this approach to hoof care is referred to as "Hoof Grooming™". This method of hoof care is consistent with good stewardship, which is the natural role of human beings.

What to do when horses are used on abrasive or uncomfortable terrain? Well-fitted hoof boots are the humane solution. I recently rode my horse Cisco 1,000 miles from Malibu, CA to Tucumcari, NM. More than half the ride time was made in Hoofwing Hoofboots, including challenging descent/ascent to and from the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon! All non-ride time found Cisco enjoying his own natural hooves.

(Hoofwings are made by the Horsesneaker Hoof Boot Company. www.horsesneaker.com )

Balanced hooves assist in providing healthy life-supporting functions for any sound active equine. Balance is the condition that exists when impact delivered to the hoof upon each foot fall is quickly and efficiently dispersed by the hoof before shock is transferred up the limb. Since, hooves are the foundation of the equine musculo-skeletal system, horses can also relax their muscles when their hooves are comfortable. Horses are able to perform better when they are not constantly dealing with balance and comfort issues.

 When true hoof balance is present, hooves are able to circulate and process blood efficiently as they should. This vital function affects all of the body's organs and functions. Circulation in the hooves affects the metabolic process, the ability of the body to absorb nutrients in order to nourish and renew itself. Allowing interference with the blood circulating function of the hoof has proven to have dire consequences for horses.

Observing the hoof for its remarkable qualities leads the observer to marvel at its perfection as it relates to efficiency in function.

True hoof balance involves all of the hoof's components and so much more! A fair portion of the hoof's cartilage is above the hairline of the capsule. The ligaments and tendons of the hoof connect the hoof to the limbs which also function best when hooves are active and balanced. The limbs, of course, support the horse's body, and the horse's body supports the rider.

The hoof is a dynamic organ with a dense outer casing known as the Hoof Capsule. Although it may appear to be woodenly rigid, the hoof capsule is actually the highly specialized thick, malleable skin of the hoof that flexes under the weight of the animal. When hoof capsules "fit" (properly align to and connect with) their internal components, horses are able to be comfortable in the "shoes" that they naturally grow for themselves!

The dynamic, vital nature of its hooves affects the attitude, health, and lifespan of horses. Since, hoof form is intimately related to healthy physiological function of the entire horse.

Well-balanced hoof capsules have a "snug" appearance. They swing easily on the ends of the horse's legs without interfering with their other limbs. Horses maneuver easily and comfortably on them. Healthy hooves are virtually free of cracks, chips, and other irregularities of form (rings, ridges, flares, etc.). They have no foul odor.

Hooves contain much more than meet the eye! Each hoof capsule contains three bones; the coffin bone, the navicular bone, and the lower portion of the short pastern bone. These harder, more rigid parts of the hoof are counter-balanced by soft, malleable tissues: cartilage, digital cushion, ligaments, tenon, blood vessels, nerves, etc. Viscous fluids lubricate joints and occupy bursas that assist shock absorption. Hoof balance affects the health and functionality of all of the hoof's components.

Of particular importance in the issue of balance is the navicular bone. The hinged joint between the navicular bone and the coffin bone is located in the exact center of the hoof. The short pastern bone is positioned above the navicular bone and above and behind the coffin. During the load-bearing cycle, the navicular bone acts as the valve of the hoof "pump".

When the coffin bone is approximate a ground parallel position within the hoof capsule, the hinged navicular bone is poised for its most efficient functionality. During the load bearing phase of each hoof step, the blood vessels that pass around either end of the navicular bone are compressed - clamped off - by the descending navicular bone. This occurs as the navicular bone is pressed downward by the short pastern bone. When the hoof is relieved of weight, the rising navicular bone frees the blood vessels to resume their flow, until the next load bearing phase occurs. This process is repeated countless times during the lifespan of a horse.

Perceiving the hoof as a blood circulating diaphragm pump and learning to identify, restore, and maintain hooves with this function of the hoof in mind enables the hoof care provider to cater to the individual horse with greater consideratio. Consistent correct hoof form insures continuous hoof health and comfort for the horse.

Balance is severely upset when horses have poor hoof form. Horses can become quite uncomfortable, limping and stumbling when poor hoof form is present. Yet, at this time, poor hoof form and impaired hoof functions are rarely recognized as correctable causes for discomfort.

The MO Standard™ Hoof Groom Course is designed to instill knowledge of hoof form and function over a five day period.

The MO Standard™ Hoof Groom Course is open to professionals and non-professionals alike.