It’s what’s on the inside that counts… right? How do the distortions in the hoof capsule affect the internal structures of the foot?

So we had a look at what was happening on the outside in Part 1 Hoofgeek.com/underrun-heels-explained

There’s a few things that happen to the pedal bone when the heels underrun. First lets look at what it’s supposed to look like, with the aid of my seriously impressive graphics skillz…

The pedal bone is roughly at a 3-5 degree angle (I’ve exaggerated it a little if I’m honest as it makes it easier to see) and I’ve put a funky little extension out the back which you don’t see on most diagrams. You’ll see why in a minute. But this is the palmer process.

The blue line represents the ground reactive forces. Not massively significant here – but it will be when we compare in a minute so hold on to you hats!!

If you haven’t seen a pedal bone in person – well! You don’t know what you’re missing!! Let me introduce you…

Doesn’t look much like a triangle there does it? It does in x-rays and cross sections, which is why it’s most commonly represented as a wedge shape. You can see here the palmer processes are little bits sticking out the back.

At the risk of appearing like an over proud parent, posting way too many photos of their child on their facebook profile… Here’s another photo from another angle. I’ll stop and go back to dodgy graphics. But hey! I’ve moved on from crazy felt tip pen scribbles (for the moment anyway…)

What happens when the heels collapse? (or underrun)

The heels underrun, which makes them shorter in terms of vertical height, even if the actual length of the heel is the same. (it’s all trigonometry, I can go in to more detail as I loved maths at school… and college… and uni… or you could take my word for it and I won’t bore you. If you want an explaination, ask in the comments section)

The heels being shorter, reduces the angle of the pedal bone, causing a ground parallel or in very bad cases a negative angle on the pedal bone. That’s bad for many reasons. The one I’m pointing out here, is what happens to the ground reactive forces.

See how the blue arrow, indicates that the pressure from the heel landing is getting very close to the back of the palmer processes. In many dissections I’ve done, the heels purchase (ground bearing surface of the heel) is in fact pressing directly on the palmer process.

You can see in this photo where the heel surface is much further forward than it should be. Look at how the laminae are angled forwards. They’re exactly how the tubules of the wall were angled forwards in last weeks post.

What I’m pointing out here is that the underlying structures have underrun. Yes the hoof capsule has gone with it, but the corium that grows the heels has moved forwards not just the hoof capsule.

If the corium that produces the heels and wall, has moved, then how can you possibly expect a trim to correct the problem. Wouldn’t it make more sense to stimulate the internal structures to regain their strength, and the hoof capsule will follow?

In part 3, I’ll be covering common ways of addressing underrun heels, and how I think they affect the internal structures.

Is this an internal or external problem? Well clearly it’s both, but which comes first? Does the hoof capsule hold the internal structures in place, or do the internal structures that produce the hoof horn, dictate how that hoof horn grows?

Have these pictures changed the way you think about underrun heels?
Did you already know what the pedal bone looks like?
Does your horse suffer from underrun heels?
Tell me what you think in the comments below

Debs

Want to read the first in the series?

Underrun Heels Part 1

Underrun Heels Part 3