07/05/2026
๐ด๐ฆถ
โจ๐Hind Foot Angles Matter ๐งฒโจ
Negative plantar angles can cause whole body discomfort, but particularly increase strain through the hind limb; especially the proximal suspensory apparatus, hocks and sacroiliac region, contributing to ongoing discomfort and poor performance.
This horse had been struggling with proximal suspensory desmitis and sacroiliac pain. He received intra-articular hock injections and shockwave therapy on his suspensories as part of his primary treatment, but long term improvement was always going to rely heavily on improving his hind foot balance and addressing his negative plantar angles.
Following shoe removal and corrective trimming, there has already been visible improvement in his hind foot angles, particularly through the coronary band and heel angles which had previously been collapsing.
Often these horses require much shorter shoeing or trimming cycles (every 3โ4 weeks), and in some cases, wedges and improved breakover can be incredibly beneficial to help support the hind limb and reduce strain on the suspensory apparatus.
The owner also rides this horse predominantly on grass surfaces rather than grippy fibre arenas, and ices his hinds after work.
A small but vital step in this horseโs recovery, with a very dedicated owner now taking on weekly maintenance trims between farrier visits. ๐ช๐ป
