American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Advertise Follow Us
Equine Reciprocating Systems: Do You Know the Nuts and Bolts of the “Orthopedic Trim?”
Farriers test their knowledge about how the forelimb functions
Pictured Above: Structure and function of a multipinnate muscle. The example is bipinnate, but there can be more than two bellies surrounding the core tendon. Multipinnate structure allows a high number of contractile muscle fibers to be packed into a given area, so such muscles are often found in the horse’s limbs where space is at a premium for aerodynamic reasons. As the black arrows show, when fibers in the muscle belly contract, they pull upward upon (stretch or tension) the tendon of insertion. The biceps brachii, extensor carpi radialis, SDF and DDF muscles, essential components of the forelimb reciprocating system, all have multipinnate bellies surrounding a core tendon. Contraction of individual muscles is one factor that acts to regulate tension in the system.
Farrier Takeaways
- Hoof trim greatly affects the tensional co-adjustment of the forelimb reciprocating apparatus.
- The goal of “orthopedic” trimming is to minimize and balance the tension on the anterior and posterior components of the equine reciprocating system, enabling all joints to work smoothly within their design limits.
- Balance originates in the reciprocating system and is only secondarily expressed by the hoof, pasterns and shoulder. It is an imbalance in the reciprocating system that the farrier needs to address.
Over much of the past year, through this series I have presented the building blocks of information needed to understand the structure of the forelimb reciprocating apparatus in horses. Starting from collagen and elastin at the molecular level and working through all the various connective tissues structured by…
Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. Please purchase/upgrade a subscription with the Digital product to get access to all American Farriers Journal content and archives online.
Top Articles
Current Issue
Farrier Gross Income Drops for the First Time in 8 Years
Olympia Farrier Supply Earns Inaugural Supply Shop of the Year
A True Mom & Pop Shop
Current Issue
Special Report For Equine Veterinarians
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Must Read Free Eguides
Download these helpful knowledge building tools
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
- CBD Products Have Promise for Farriers, but Buyer Beware
- Sharpening Knives with a Buffer
- Winter Hoof Care
Videos
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
American Farriers Journal is excited and honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary of publishing the hands-on magazine for hoof-care professionals. Learn more about our special edition, which comes out in December 2024.
Events
Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners (PHCP) will Host Beginning Clinic
Date: 11/09/24
Location:
View Event
Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs Inc
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell USA
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
SmartPak
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.