More and more nature observations are implemented in technology nowadays. For example, researchers observe the flight behaviour of birds and construct thereafter airplanes which fly more safely and are more fuel-effective.

Even in the shoeing of horses new insights have been gained through the observation of wild horses. Gene Ovnicek, a farrier, induced with his question why domestic horses come down with lameness, extensive research in the USA. The research was carried out among others through veterinarians of The University of Michigan and The Equine Wellness Foundation in the USA. The result of this research was published among others in the distinguished book Adams Lameness in Horses, 5th edition.

The research results have led to a substantial understanding of the complexity of the hoof mechanism as well as of the hoof dynamics. It has also proved successful in the prevention and diagnosis of hoof distortion and hoof deformities, diverse lamenesses and hoof diseases like laminitis and distal seasamoide.

The wild horse research disclosed the following: The wild horse first touches the ground with its heel. This was also proved by two calluses in the back of the hooves. Two calluses in the front of the hoof define the line of roll-over and the direction of the toe. Based upon these four points it was evident that the frog, the sole and the pillars take much more weight than the hoof walls. The centre of the pillars is behind the widest part of the hoof. The biggest load bearing capacity takes therefore place behind the widest part of the hoof.

Through these findings it was apparent that horses like all mammals have to get in contact with the ground first with their heals, followed by the hoof’s centre point with the biggest capacity to take up load and finally the toes. Additionally it was possible to define the location of the coffin bone (PIII) without the help of x-rays for the first time.

Insights from these studies show significant differences between wild and domestic horses: the toes of our horses are too long; through this the centre of the hoof is shifted towards the toes. This means for the horse instead of taking up contact with the ground with its heels first, it takes up contact with the ground with its whole hoof at once or even with its toes first. At the same time the point where the horse leaves the ground is shifting backwards. This leads to a higher load for the front legs. Additionally the walls of the hooves get a higher load whereas the loading capacity of the sole, the frog and the pillars is neglected. Seen from a static dynamic point of view this leads to different constraints in a hoof which in the long time mean significant hoof distortions and deformities which also affect the locomotory system.

But with the new research results and based upon the gained understanding about the hoof mechanism and dynamism, it was suddenly possible to intervene actively, as well as to treat diseases of the hoof like laminitis and distal seasamoide. Furthermore an improvement of the horses’ locomotory system was evident, for example, asymmetries. This is due to a reduced abrasion of the muscles, ligaments and skeleton.

Horses are flight animals. Their well-being, their performance capability and their personality are situated in their legs. If we force the hoof of the horse in human friendly looking shoes we bereave our horses of their personality, elegance and power.

Please take a look at your moving horse. How does the horse get in contact with the ground? Is your horse lifting his front legs under his centre or thereafter from the ground? Does the back leg come forward to the centre? Does your horse forge or stumble or is it already lame? Or has your horse been diagnosed with laminitis or distal seasamoide?

Sir Simple was diagnosed with laminits 2004 and thanks to NBS and the perfect care of Josef Tramberger, the NBS-farrier in Austria, Simple recovered quickly and without damages. Since that I have become interested in NBS and my wish is that more and more horse people know about NBS. If you are interested to learn more about Natural Balance Shoeing, please use the contact formular. I will contact you ASAP.