In recent history, shoeing has had two primary requirements: protect the hoof capsule and alter the horse’s performance (Adams and Stashak, 2002). When it comes to enhancing performance and altering kinematics, toe-surface modifications are of key importance in the veterinary and farrier professions (Hüppler et al., 2016).

Probably the most famous anatomical demonstration that students of equine anatomy regularly see in the dissecting room — and certainly one of the most spectacular and interesting — is the coordinated opening and closing of the central joints of the hind limb, the “classic” hind limb reciprocation.