Over Trimming?

QUESTION: 

DR. TOM'S ANSWER:

Hi there,

I agree that overtrimming can lead to abcessation because of resultant damage to the dermis through what is essentially bruising/trauma. A sufficiently thick epidermis is necessary to protect sensitive inner layers/structures, and the thickness and toughness that is needed depends on the terrain the horse lives on. I also concur that some horses do not produce as good a quality of hoof, likely because of chronic hoof disease/chronic abscessing. I have seen dermis/corium that looked very "scarred", especially around the tip of the coffin bone (high heels/laminitis/toe abscesses).

I think thinning/overtrimming to achieve mechanism is only appropriate if the horse can be kept on an appropriate terrain (well-groomed soil/turf/rubber mats).  Thus, this type of trimming probably belongs in the realm of veterinarians and trimming/natural hoof care specialists.

Some further opinion and information I can share with you is as follows:

By paying attention to where a hoof is asking to exfoliate, we respect what the hoof needs for the environment it finds itself in. Taking away material that is more "live" essentially removes structure that the horse is depending on right now, rightly or wrongly, to function in the environment he finds himself in.

Horses can not be brought to higher performance by simply removing hoof structure, normal or abnormal, out of our desire to achieve a specific hoof form. Making a hoof look a certain way through trimming only makes a hoof look a certain way. It doesn't automatically make that hoof work that way, too. Usually, a horse complains when we remove too much structure in thename of achieving proper form. We and the horses are much better off achieving higher performance through easing in to such work and putting on a little mileage first, then removing the excess, exfoliating structure that is no longer needed. The more mileage a horse puts on, the easier it is to tell what structure is in need of exfoliation.

It is important to leave some material on the hoof to be exfoliated. We underestimate the importance of the natural exfoliation process as a powerful stimulus for further, healthy growth. Exfoliation through movement in a given terrain stimulates stronger more appropriate growth for that foot in that terrain. If we fully exfoliate a hoof or go deeper in to the hoof with our trimming, beyond what the hoof would normally exfoliate at that time, we leave a horse needlessly sensitive rather than with comfort and the means to stimulate further, healthy growth.

"Exfoliating" a foot with hoof knives and a rasp is often necessary and helpful, but keep in mind that this form of exfoliation comes WITHOUT THE HORSE HAVING TO MOVE. The material that is left behind is fresh, non-callused and not immediately ready for action, and the real stimulation for further good growth was lacking.

* There is a huge difference in the function, strength and integrity of a hoof that is shaped by man's tools and one that is shaped by movement across the landscape. Though they may outwardly look and measure the same, they function quite differently, as can be appreciated by observing horses that trim themselves and horses that we trim. It is this realization that should stimulate us to always utilize the dimension of time in our efforts to bring better form to our horses' hooves. I agree that allowing excess hoof material or structure to grow in certain areas of the hoof capsule can and does impede hoof mechanism, circulation and can even cause painful pressure and damage to areas of the hoof. My rationale for easing in to more normal hoof form over some time is that moving too quickly to sculpt hooves to certain parameters is essentially "overtrimming", can leave a horse with inadequate structure and is potentially damaging to the horse and his hooves.

Removing hoof material to achieve a certain form without asking that hoof to show us a little natural wear and exfoliation first, may leave the horse with a good looking hoof, but one that is too sensitive, lacks strength and can more easily decompensate or break down with movement. A lot of trimmers have excellent instincts when it comes to shaping hooves, but we should know that NONE of us are as good at imparting correct shape to the hoof as is the earth. By allowing a little time to pass and taking some time to observe these small changes that movement imparts to the hooves, our trimming improves and ends up complementing what the hoof is trying to do to maintain or heal itself. Unless the horse can be provided some area of level, padded ground on which to move around comfortably, removing live hoof material is generally inappropriate and often dangerous, as it leaves a horse lacking structure needed to withstand breaking down in the environment he finds himself in.