| CODE | LAS1103 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Natural Hoof Care and Equine Locomotion | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | I - Introductory Level | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Natural hoof care is a holistic approach to maintaining and managing the health of a horse's hooves. It emphasizes practices that mimic the natural wear and tear experienced by wild horses. The goal is to promote overall hoof health and function without relying heavily on traditional methods like metal shoeing. The key components and principles of natural hoof concern: - Barefoot Trimming: This involves regularly trimming the hooves to maintain a natural shape and balance, similar to how a wild horse's hooves wear down naturally. The trimming focuses on keeping the hoof wall, sole, and frog in optimal condition. - Environment: Providing an environment that encourages natural movement and varied terrain is crucial. Horses should have access to different surfaces such as gravel, sand, and grass to stimulate natural wear and promote strong, healthy hooves. - Diet and Nutrition: A balanced diet that supports overall health and hoof quality is essential. Natural hoof care advocates often emphasize the importance of a forage-based diet. - Movement: Encouraging regular, natural movement is vital for hoof health. This can include turnout in a pasture or a paddock paradise setup, which encourages constant, varied movement. - Observation and Adaptation: Regularly observing the horse's hooves and making adjustments as needed is a key part of natural hoof care. This includes monitoring for signs of discomfort, imbalance, or disease and addressing them promptly. Natural hoof care typically involves keeping horses barefoot, as metal shoes restrict natural hoof expansion and contraction, alter gait and inhibit shock absorption from the ground reaction forces. However, in some cases, temporary protection like hoof boots may be used for specific activities or during transitions. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the Unit the student will be able to: - Identify internal hoof structures and external morphological characteristics - Distinguish between natural locomotion and altered gait - Explain the relationship between diet and hoof health - Recognize hoof wear patterns and growth in relation to terrain - Master the fundamental principles of trimming - Identify the signs of hoof pathology - Identify typical hoof pathologies in radiographs - Master the use of hoof boots and hoof pads 2. Skills: By the end of the Unit the student will be able to: - Accurately assess and describe the structure of the hoof, identify normal and abnormal features, and understand the functional significance of different hoof components. - Demonstrate knowledge of equine gait patterns, biomechanics, and how hoof health affects movement. - Connect dietary components to hoof quality, understanding nutritional requirements for optimal hoof health. - Recognize the benefits of different terrains on hoof strength and development. - Be competent in performing basic hoof trimming and understanding when more advanced intervention is needed. - Recognise early signs of hoof diseases or disorders. - Interpret hoof radiographs to assess internal structures and identify abnormalities. - Understand when and how to use hoof boots for protection, therapeutic purposes, or transitioning from shoes to barefoot. Overall, these skills contribute to a comprehensive approach to equine hoof care, enhancing both preventive measures and treatment strategies to ensure the well-being and performance of horses. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text - Kaufmann, S. and Cline, C. (2017). The Essential Hoof Book. Trafalgar Square Books. - Ramey, P. (2011). Care and rehabilitation of the equine foot. Hoof Rehabilitation Publishing, LLC - Stewart, J. (2013). Understanding the horse's feet. Crowood. - Stonebridge, A. and Cumberlidge, J. (2016). Barefoot Horse Keeping. The Crowood Press Ltd. - Teskey, T. (2021). Insight to Equus; Tomas G. Teskey and Csenge Z. Bakos Publishing. Supplementary Text - Jackson, J. (2016). Laminitis: An Equine Plague of Unconscionable Proportions. J. Jackson Publishing. - Jackson, J. (2019). The Natural Trim. J. Jackson Publishing. - Jackson, J. (2020). ISNHCP Natural Trim Training Manual: Basic Guidelines. J. Jackson Publishing. - Kettunen, H., 2024. How group turnout in grass pasture affects horse activity and behaviour. - La Pierre, K.C. (2021). Applied Equine Podiatry: Laminitis, Founder and Digital Osteoarthritis.Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry, Inc. - Pollitt, C. (2016). The Illustrated Horse’s Foot: A Comprehensive Guide. Elsevier Ltd. |
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| LECTURER/S | Sarah Albanozzo |
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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