Roaring Run Forge & Farrier

08/22/2025

Cool job opportunity working with Standardbred foals, yearlings and broodmares in Worthington, PA! Everything horse related from mucking stalls to handling young horses to grooming to farm equipment use to fence repair to being present for birthing.

We're hiring! Full or part-time. Limited positions available. Knowledge of equipment is a bonus, horse knowledge is a must. Must be able to lift 50+ pounds/significant walking involved. Pay commensurate with experience. Call or message us if you're interested.

08/12/2025

Anatomy of the Equine Foot
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board Certified in Equine Practice

Horses have evolved over the last 55 million years. The first horse was the size of a cat- only 10 inches tall, and walked on padded feet, much like a dog. This was when the world was quite tropical, and before the Ice Age when horses had to adapt to a different environment. The pad of the third digit eventually became the frog of the modern horse’s foot. The modern horse (Equus caballus) first appeared about 5 million years ago.

Horses were first domesticated about five thousand years ago in what is today southern Russia. Their domestication influenced human history, mainly due to their extensive use in warfare.

The hoof, or hoof wall, is the three layered outer surface of the foot. The foot includes the hoof, bones, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. The horse stands on what is the human middle finger and the middle bone in the hand is the cannon bone. The wrist is the human carpus, corresponding to the ‘knee’ of the horse.

The hoof plays a very large role in weight-bearing in the horse, and protects the structures within the hoof capsule. For the foot to work properly, it must be healthy, and the equine owner plays a role here. Horses have been removed from their natural environment and the natural selection process has been disturbed. Horses with poor feet in the wild do not survive, but domesticated horse receives special care and may be bred, passing along undesired traits.

The external surface at the front of the foot is its dorsal surface, and the surface facing the ground is the solar surface. On the front leg, the caudal (rear) aspect of the foot is its palmar surface. In the rear leg this is referred to as the plantar surface. Medial (inside) is the term for the portion of the foot nearest the foot on the opposite side. Lateral (outside) is the term for the portion of the foot farthest away.

The hoof is composed of several layers. The outermost layer is the periople (stratum externum) which is cuticle on the human finger. As it advances down the hoof wall, it is called the stratum tectorium, but most of this is abraded by dirt and sand and is lost.

The middle layer, the stratum medium is the thickest layer. It is composed of many hollow tubules of keratin which are embedded in a matrix of keratin. This latter structure gives the foot its strength, being less likely to fracture than the tubules. There is a gradient within this layer. The outer tubules are smaller, but greater in number. As they progress inward, the tubules enlarge and are less numerous. This allows the foot to keep the outside of the hoof dry (if they are not standing in water- the hoof will imbibe water within 24 hours) and the inside more moist, adding flexibility to the hoof capsule, which is a dynamic structure, constantly growing downward toward the ground.

Inside is the stratum internum, which is made of epidermal laminae- leaf-like structures that run the length of the hoof wall, parallel to the stratum medium. There are 600 laminae in the hoof; each lamina has 150 -200 secondary laminae.

The hoof grows down from the coronary band (corona; crown) from papillae that fit into the tubules. Keratinocytes are made in this region, and are continually being pushed down the wall. They eventually lose their nucleus and become officially dead cells. The coronet has a massive blood supply to feed the hoof. Injury to the coronary band can have a serious negative effect on hoof growth and development. If the injury to the coronary band is serious, it can result in permanent disfigurement of the hoof and, in some cases, disrupt proper hoof growth to the point where the horse is no longer usable.

The corium is similar to the dermis of the skin elsewhere in the body. In the case of the foot, there are epidermal laminae and dermal laminae. The outer portion of skin is epidermis, while the deeper layer is the dermis, filled with blood vessels and nerves. There are several parts to the corium of the foot: perioplic, coronary, laminar, solar and frog corium. The first two form the coronary band.

The sole is similar in construction to the hoof wall, with vertical tubules fed by the solar corium. These tubules curve near the ground, limiting growth and allowing shedding of the sole. The sole is designed to carry internal weight, not weight from the ground. The sole is the area inside the white line, excluding the bars and frog.

The white line is the junction between the wall and the sole and is clearly visible around the front three-fourths of the circumference of the sole in a freshly trimmed foot. The white line is yellowish and during the 1800s was commonly called the golden line. It joins the sole to the inner wall of the hoof and seals the border of the third phalanx to protect it from bacterial infiltration. It creates a shallow crease at the bottom of the hoof which fills with dirt, aiding with traction.

The inner hoof wall is white due to a lack of pigment. It has a high moisture content making it more pliable than the outer wall. This allows for stretching of the inner wall to protect the internal hoof structures from shock. It also allows the third phalanx and outer wall to move in different directions, while preserving strength of attachment.

The outer hoof wall is pigmented and much stronger than the inner wall. It bears the horse’s weight, protects internal structures from damage, and stores and releases energy like a spring, helping to propel the horse during movement. A healthy outer hoof wall is slightly thicker at the toe and has no growth rings or cracks. It is nearly impermeable to water, dirt, and mud, but a damaged wall can allow pe*******on of external substances, allowing infection of the white line or subsolar abscesses to occur.

The frog is a wedge shaped rubbery tissue between the bars of the sole. It should be wide and substantial, and while keratinized, the frog is about 50% water, making the frog soft. The apex points forward and the base, at the heel, has a shallow central sulcus. It acts as a shock absorber from the ground and redirects force from the bony column through the lateral cartilages of the hoof. It also pumps blood through the foot every time the hoof lands on the ground. An unhealthy frog can cause significant loss of structure in the caudal portion of the internal hoof, leading to lameness.

The frog works with the coronet, bars, and sole to provide resistance to distortion of the hoof capsule. Frog pressure influences the digital cushion above. The frog stay (triangular area cut out of the sole that in which the frog sits) allows independent movement at the heels as the horse lands on uneven ground. The frog also plays a part in protecting the sensitive structures beneath, providing traction, assisting circulation and absorbing shock. It also contains many nerves which enable the horse to feel what it is standing upon and to know where its feet are in relation to the rest of the body (proprioception).

In the center of the frog, towards the back of the foot is the central sulcus. A healthy sulcus is wide and shallow, but if the frog is weak and narrow it can become a deep crease which is a haven for bacteria and fungus. This deep crease is common, but abnormal.

The collateral groove runs along either side of the frog. The outer wall of the groove is made up of the wall of the bar and sole and the wall on the other side comprises the wall of the frog.

The angle of the bar is commonly known as the heel, although this can be misleading. This area is designed to receive the initial impact of the horse’s stride and a healthy angle of the bar comprises mainly of pliable inner wall, enabling it to dissipate excess shock. This area plays a major role in supporting the weight of the horse and it is important that it remains correctly balanced.

The heel bulbs are at the back of the foot. The heels make an abrupt turn toward the toe to form the bars, which are supported by the internal digital cushion.

The Skeletal System

The bones of the foot provide a frame and facilitate locomotion. They are light, yet strong enough for the rigors of weight bearing and concussion during trotting and galloping.

Third phalanx (P3)--It is also called the distal phalanx, os pedis, pedal bone, and coffin bone. It is the most distal (farthest out from the body) of the four bones comprising the digit (equivalent to man's finger or toe) and is completely enclosed by the hoof. Interaction between this bone and the surrounding hoof structures serves as a shock absorber for the horse in motion. It does not have a medulla (bone marrow) and has an unusually high density of tiny blood vessels. Surrounding the bone are the laminae (leaves) which hold the wall to the bone. Underneath, the bone is covered in solar corium which produces the sole. Caudally, the bone attaches to the cartilage of the digital cushion. Tendons and ligaments are attached to this bone and a dense network of blood vessels run around and through the distal phalanx.

Second phalanx (P2)--This bone is also called the middle phalanx, os phalanx, and the short pastern bone. It rests on the third phalanx and articulates with it and the first phalanx, which is above P2.
Distal sesamoid--This structure is often called the navicular bone or shuttle bone and is located on the back surface of both the second and third phalanx. This bone is shaped like a boat. The deep digital flexor tendon passes over the bone on its way to attach to the distal phalanx. It is an integral part of the shock absorbing mechanism, along with its ligamentous attachments.
First phalanx (P1)--This bone is also called the os compendale, os saffragenous, and long pastern bone. The first phalanx is the longest bone of the digit. It rests on the second phalanx and also articulates with the third metacarpal (in the foreleg) or metatarsal (in the hind leg), also called the cannon bone. It is closely attached to the paired proximal sesamoids by strong ligaments.

Soft Tissue Structures of the Foot

Tendon of the common digital extensor muscle--It is considered in this discussion, the authors say, because of its insertion onto a process (protrusion) of the third phalanx and on the anterior (front) surfaces of the second and third phalanges. Its action is to extend the digit.
Deep flexor tendon--This is an extension of the muscle lying on the back part of the leg and which inserts on the posterior aspect of the third phalanx. It flexes the digit.

Superficial flexor tendon--This structure runs parallel to the deep flexor tendon and splits below the fetlock to insert on both the first and second phalanges. It also flexes the digit, but not the coffin joint (between P2 and P3).

The navicular bursa lies between the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone, changing the direction of the bone and protecting it from damage. This synovial sack is similar to a joint and may communicate with the distal interphalangeal (coffin) joint.

The digital cushion is a wedge-shaped structure with a fibro-fatty composition that sits directly behind the third phalanx and above the sensitive frog. It is very elastic and has very few blood vessels or nerves. When the digital cushion is compressed by the pastern bones and frog with weight bearing, it absorbs shock, cushions the bones, and is divided by the frog's exterior spine so that it is forced outward and obliquely upward against the lateral cartilages. Flat footed horses often have a severely atrophied digital cushion.

The lateral cartilages are part fibrous tissue and part hyaline cartilage. They slope upward and backward from the wings of the coffin bone and reach above the margin of the coronary band.

The blood supply of the foot is extensive. The blood is pumped into the foot by arteries, with valves to prevent retrograde flow during weight bearing. Blood is returned to the heart by extensive venous plexi and veins. The venous plexi are multidirectional and contain no valves, allowing blood to follow the path of least resistance during weight bearing. The veins above the coronet have valves to prevent retrograde flow. Approximately 80-90% of fluid is picked up by the venous return system, leaving the remainder to be drained by the lymphatic system, which requires pumping to move fluids as it lacks this capability. Horses that ‘stock up’ have fluid stasis during stall time from not moving enough to remove the fluid.

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

08/09/2025

Concavity explained!

Hoof Concavity
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board Certified in Equine Practice

Concavity is defined as having an outline or surface that curves inward like the interior of a circle or sphere. Therefore, a concave foot gives the sole a cupped appearance when looking from the bottom with the horse’s foot held up.

A healthy foot is concave, arching from front to back and side to side. It should have enough depth to protect the coffin bone inside the hoof capsule; it allows the coffin bone to “sink” with every stride and spring back to its normal position. Good sole depth allows for enough space between the sole and the coffin bone to provide adequate circulation. The hoof is a dynamic structure that spreads with every step, even if you cannot see it, and the depth should be greater than 15mm to provide an adequate working space.

Concavity varies between horses as the shape of the third phalanx is unique to each horse. Large horses may appear to have less concavity because it is spread over a larger area and the hind feet often have more concavity than the front due to the different shape of the coffin bone.

The third phalanx is covered in the corium, which is the same as the dermis under the human fingernail. It contains a vast blood supply and a physical thickness. Adequate sole depth gives enough space for the corium and laminae to function properly, for without blood the tissues will deteriorate and become necrotic.

Hoof concavity helps the horse to move over various terrain comfortably, preventing bruising inside the hoof capsule as the sole is not too close to the ground. Horses with thin, flat soles will be quite sore over stones and should never be forced to endure such pain. This can damage the internal structures of the hoof, so that they cannot be without shoes and pads. Overgrown hooves do not mean that the sole had adequate depth.

To achieve concave soles:
1. Care for the laminae and circulation by providing frequent trimming so the laminae do not endure excessive strain, so the walls do not flare out and the toes do not get long. Sole depth should optimally be 18-25mm, but never less than 15mm.
2. Frequent trims keep the hoof capsule in its anatomically correct position and hugging the internal structures tightly. The horse’s foot should not go longer than eight weeks, in most cases, but can be as short as four weeks in other horses.
3. By lots of movement. Optimal circulation demands physical movement- provided the horse can exercise.
4. An appropriate low carbohydrate diet to prevent endocrine disease and laminitis.
5. Using proper shoeing, pads, and hoof boots as a physical aid to stimulate good growth and healthy movement patterns when those are lacking. Moving around to eat grass is not enough exercise!

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

08/06/2025

Good write up on the hoof!

07/31/2025

Good article by Dr. Burks on feet and moisture!

Wet Feet as a Cause of Hoof Problems
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board-Certified in Equine Practice

Horses developed on prairies and their feet are most healthy when dry. Multiple factors affect hoof quality, including nutrition, farriery, moisture, and genetics. A common cause of hoof problems is excessive moisture. This includes horses that live in rainy and humid climates, those bathed repeatedly, and horses with damp bedding or that stand in the mud for long periods of time.

In arid environments, the hoof tends to dry out, and in wet conditions they become too soft. A dry foot is better than a wet foot.

The hoof maintains health by absorbing nutrient and moisture from the bloodstream. Well-nourished and hydrated horses will have good feet; even if the outside of the hoof is a little dry, the hoof capsule on the inside will fare well. Most of those cracks are superficial; however, the hoof is somewhat porous and will absorb moisture from the environment. Too much water is detrimental to hoof quality.

The hoof is made of laminae, which are ridged and tightly pack horn tubules, arranged vertically and parallel to each other. Keratin is the major component of the horn tubules, which are held together by hydrogen bonds, which are strongest when the tubules are dry. A normal hoof has a cupped sole, with a sturdy hoof wall. It operates as a shock absorption system during movement. Excessive moisture weakens the bonds, making the hoof too flexible, and reducing its shock-absorption capabilities.

A hoof that is exposed constantly to too much moisture becomes soft and weak. The sole will flatten and the hoof becomes unable to carry the weight of the horse. This leads to lameness, particularly if exercised vigorously or on hard ground. The ‘wet’ hoof will be more prone to infection as the hoof becomes even more porous, allowing thrush and hoof abscesses to become a problem. It is worth noting that the sole is the most porous portion of the hoof.

Wet feet do not hold nails well and shoes will get pulled off in the mud. Lost shoes can cost more than just money; the horse, or any others in the same area, can step or roll onto the shoe, with its attendant nails, causing puncture wounds. Injuries can occur from slipping and scrambling in deep mud or poor footing. As the hoof’s h***y tissues fail, the inner structures become overloaded and vulnerable to pressure. Stepping on a rock can put the horse at risk for a coffin bone fracture when the hoof is soft.

Persistently wet feet are susceptible to sole bruising from small stones. They are also more susceptible to thrush, which is caused by various bacteria and fungi. The frog and lateral sulci are most affected, and horses can become lame.

White line disease is also caused by bacteria and fungi that get into the inner non-pigmented space within the hoof wall. Abscesses- pockets of pus within the hoof- are common in soft feet as gravel and debris damage and pe*****te the sole and white line.

Tips to dry out the hoof:
1. Keep stalls clean.
2. Bed on absorbent wood products when possible.
3. Give sponge baths instead of using the hose.
4. Keep the wash area free of mud and puddles.
5. Provide a dry place to stand during wet, muddy weather.
6. Use an indoor arena for turn out during the wettest season.

Scattering shavings to create dry areas can be counterproductive. Pine shavings that get mixed with mud and manure create an acidic environment, which can damage the horn of the foot.

For a more permanent solution to your mud problems, consider installing high-traffic area pads (typically made of geotextile fabric, crushed stone, and a dense grade aggregate) around gates or watering areas. These smooth, dry surfaces require some initial cost, but can provide years of mud relief in high-traffic areas.

When mud cannot be avoided, a hoof dressing can be used to seal out moisture. These are best used once or twice per week; over-use can cause the hoof to rely on artificial protection, which may be counterproductive.

When the horse is brought in from a muddy environment, the mud dries on the hoof, and clay will draw out moisture, drying out the foot. Going back and forth between dry and wet is hard on the hoof, and may result in cracks, much like your hands that are wet and dry repeatedly; the skin cracks and chaps.

Horses that need to build a new foot or live in more challenging conditions may need nutrients beyond those in the regular diet, even when on good quality hay and grain. This is not most horses, but some will require a hoof supplement.

The hoof is mainly protein (keratin) for which the amino acids lysine (a first-limiting amino acid) and methionine. The latter protein helps bind the keratin fibers together via cross linking, giving strength to the hoof wall.

Micro-minerals (iodine, copper, zinc) are also necessary for hoof tissue synthesis. Biotin, a B-vitamin also impacts hoof quality. Omega 3 fatty acids found in flax seed and lecithin, a substance containing several fatty molecules help create a moisture barrier to repel excessive moisture.

Keep a good watch on horse feet during wet conditions. Have the horse trimmed and shod regularly (at least every 6-8 weeks) and call an equine veterinarian at the first sign of trouble. Infections and strained tendons can impact your riding time.

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

07/30/2025

07/10/2025

Good write up by Dr. Burks at Fox Run Equine Center!

Man Made Foot Problems in the Horse
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board-Certified in Equine Practice

The ideal foot is to support the weight of the horse on the hoof wall. The hoof wall is thicker at the toe because it undergoes more wear and tear as it breaks over than other portions of the hoof. The hoof wall is attached to the third phalanx by the epidermal and dermal laminae, along with the suspensory apparatus of the distal phalanx.

This SADP is made of collagen fibers that attach to ridges on the distal phalanx (coffin bone) and the epidermal laminae. This makes a continuous attachment from the outer hoof wall to the pedal bone. When the horse lands on the foot, it has a force of nearly twice its weight and 67% of the shock is taken and dissipated by the SADP.

The normal forces acting on the foot demand the structure to be sound and sturdy. There is tension directed to the laminae, tension from the deep digital flexor tendon, downward compression from the middle phalanx (short pastern bone), upper compression from the sole, and forces acting on the extensor process, including extensor branches of the suspensory ligament and the common (or long) digital extensor tendon. The normal forces exhibited on impact are quite complex. The heels strike first, followed by the ground surfaces of the bars, quarters, and toe. Most horses land very nearly flat.

The sole is slightly depressed as it opposes the downward force and the frog and sole support the internal hoof structures, helping to dissipate force upon the distal phalanx.

Wild horses do a good job of wearing their feet naturally as they roam over 100s of acres of land. They must roam to find water and good forage, so their feet are trimmed in the process. Horses in the wild must have sound feet to escape predators; those with unsound/lame feet will end up as a meal. This is called survival of the fittest.

The domestication of horses has changed how nature cared for horses, and now horses’ feet are trimmed and shod in a myriad of ways. Some breeds, notably American Saddlebreds and Tennessee Walking Horses, have their feet in abnormal conformation to perform different gaits. Unfortunately, the wall grows long, removing frog pressure and allowing heel contracture. This makes them subject to a myriad of disorders, including thrush, tendon injuries, ring bone, navicular disease, and contraction of the hoof around the distal phalanx (hoof bound).

Quarter horses are now often bred for small feet, but large bodies. There is not enough foot to provide proper foundation. The small foot cannot handle the load being put upon it, and lameness often results.

Thoroughbreds often have poor feet, as they have been selected for other traits, with conformation and the foot being sacrificed.

Hoof size in horses is highly heritable and correlates with bone growth. Hoof size is also influenced by nutrition. Horses that are fed an optimum diet have an 80% increase in hoof-sole-border size compared to those fed a limited diet. Good nutrition encourages maximum bone and hoof size, leading to soundness.

Maintaining healthy feet also includes hoof moisture. The hoof wall has a stiffness gradient, with the driest portion externally and the interior laminae having more moisture, which allows for flexibility. Horses that stand in a continuously wet environment have poor feet because they imbibe water from the environment. Drier feet are harder and tougher. Wet feet lose their strength due to deterioration of the hoof wall tubules and their matrix. The heels become compressed, the hoof becomes out of balance with the breakover moving forward- long toe, short heel syndrome or underrun heels.

Out-of-balance feet and underrun heels put tremendous pressure upon the navicular bone and the deep digital flexor tendon, along with other ligaments around the navicular bone and coffin joint. There is stress and tearing of laminae.

Moving the breakover point (usually about ¾ inch in front of the frog apex) disrupts the forces on the DDFT and navicular bursa. The forces are no longer distributed evenly. This leads to compression of the digital cushion and heel compression from abnormal loading, further reducing heel growth and forcing the toe forward. Many problems in the foot have to do with trimming and daily care.

Removing too much from the hoof, leaving little support and over-trimming the frog are contrary to having a good foot. The frog should be in contact with the ground and should have a broad base at the heel. Small, narrow frogs with a crevice in the heels or the central frog sulcus do not help pump blood out of the foot and the hoof will grow less and become less sturdy.

1. Make sure your horse’s hooves are long enough. There are many important and sensitive structures inside the hoof that need to be protected; that protection is the hoof. Your horse must have a certain amount of hoof in order to keep the tendons, ligaments, bones, and other soft tissues from becoming bruised and battered.

Horse Weight Toe length
Horse Size Kg Pounds Cm Inches
Small 360 – 400 800 – 900 7.6 3.0
Medium 425 – 475 950 – 1050 8.25 3.25
Large 525 – 575 1150 – 1250 8.9 3.5

2. Be sure that there is adequate sole depth. The sole protects sensitive internal structures, so avoid carving out swaths of sole; removal with a stiff brush may be sufficient in some cases.
3. Trim to an angle appropriate for your horse. There is no ‘proper’ angle. Every horse is different. Most horses should have a straight hoof-pastern axis.
4. Use a large enough shoe. The foot should not be made to fit the shoe; rather the shoe should be made to fit the foot. Small shoes lead to contracted and underrun heels. This leads to degeneration of the navicular bone and its associated structures by causing inflammation. Use the biggest shoe the horse can practically wear.

Maintaining good feet takes effort. Proper trimming and shoeing, good nutrition, moisture balance, etc. help make good feet. Man-made problems can be overcome with diligence. Remember: “No frog, no foot, no foot, no horse”!

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

06/20/2025

Farrier Clinic: Riley Henson, CJF, CRS Horseshoes

“A new way of looking at navicular syndrome, ringbone, and soft tissue injuries”

Friday, June 20th, 3-8 pm
@ Roaring Run Equestrian Center
1036 Martin Road, Apollo, PA 15613

Cost: $25 (includes pizza and drinks)

RSVP to Wayne Sodowsky (913)547-2508

05/25/2025

Great overview of a PPE!

PrePurchase Exam of the Horse
Brian S. Burks, DVM, DABVP
Board-Certified in Equine Practice

The purpose of a PPE is to evaluate the horse’s health, soundness, and overall suitability so you can make an informed buying decision—not to give a horse a “pass” or “fail” grade. It is not uncommon to hear about a horse that comes up lame or ill within a few days or weeks.

The veterinarian’s role in the PPE is a critical part of the buyer’s investment, helping the buyer to evaluate a horse before a commitment to purchase is made. Expectations for the horse are an integral part of the PPE. Horses are living creatures that change with time and use; consequently the evaluation is an assessment at a specific point in time. None-the-less, it is important to examine the animal for what is present now and what may occur in the future as a result of the PPE findings.

To help your veterinarian get the clearest picture possible, come prepared with the following:

• Any available medical or vaccination records from the seller
• A copy of the bill of sale or purchase agreement (if applicable)
• Tack and equipment if an under-saddle evaluation is needed
• A list of your goals for the horse (e.g., intended discipline, short/long-term plans)
• A notepad or mobile device to take notes during the evaluation

Veterinarians evaluate the medical aspects of the horse- general health and soundness. Other examinations can be performed, dependent upon the intended use of the horse, such as racing or breeding. We do not ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ the horse during the evaluation, but rather make the buyer aware of any abnormality that may be present and affect the intended use. It is best if both the buyer and seller are present during the purchase examination.

A pre-purchase examination should include the following:

• Share your expectations and both short- and long-term plans (e.g., showing, breeding, trail riding).
• Ask your veterinarian to outline recommended procedures and explain why each one matters.
• Discuss and agree upon the cost of the exam and any optional diagnostics.
• Be present during the examination, along with the seller or their agent.
• Review the findings privately with your veterinarian.
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request clarification on any results.

A typical PPE begins with a comprehensive physical exam, which includes:

• Vital signs and overall body condition
• Eyes, teeth, heart, and lungs
• Skin, limbs, joints, and hooves

The teeth are evaluated for age, dental points, malocclusions, hooks, waves, and missing teeth. Horses with dental abnormalities may require increased dental work. A horse with recently floated teeth and a clean preputial sheath suggests a horse with good care.

The horse’s vision and critical structures of the eye are assessed.

The cardiopulmonary systems are ausculted for abnormalities such as murmurs and arrhythmias. The lungs may have abnormal sounds, there may be mild nostril flaring, or there may be an increased respiratory rate.

The skin is evaluated for lumps and bumps that may be benign or may represent tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. Summer sores may be present in some cases.

The cranial and peripheral nervous systems are evaluated for abnormalities. Hearing, neck flexibility, and various reflexes are tested. It is important to rule out neurologic disease as diagnosis and treatment can be quite involved and expensive.

The horse’s conformation is evaluated. Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints are all palpated, assessing for pain, heat, stiffness, or decreased range of motion. Secondary/compensatory problems, such as a sore back, may be detected and may provide clues to the type of primary problem that exists. Hoof health is also evaluated. The foot should have a robust frog that contacts the ground and is free of disease. It should not be growing forward or underrun.

Next, the veterinarian will observe the horse in motion—walking, trotting, and possibly performing under saddle—to detect subtle signs of lameness or gait irregularities. Hoof health, shoeing, and limb conformation are also evaluated, as they directly impact performance and long-term soundness.

Different types of horses have different physical demands, and the exam should reflect that.

• Performance Horses: If you are purchasing for high-impact sports (jumping, dressage, racing, endurance), your veterinarian may recommend more extensive lameness evaluations, radiographs of high-stress joints, or advanced imaging to assess joint, tendon, and ligament health.
• Breeding Horses: Buyers interested in breeding prospects should prioritize reproductive soundness and genetic health. This may involve reproductive evaluations, ultrasound, and screening for heritable conditions.
• Pleasure or Companion Horses: These horses may not require as many diagnostic tests, but a general wellness check is essential. Your veterinarian will focus on mobility, dental health, hoof condition, and temperament to ensure the horse is suitable for a lower-intensity lifestyle.

Based on the horse’s intended use or findings during the initial exam, additional diagnostics may be recommended, including:

• Radiographs (X-rays): Evaluate bone structure and detect reasons for lameness or joint issues.
• Ultrasound: Visualize soft tissue structures, such as tendons and ligaments. It is also used for a breeding soundness examination.
• Drug testing and blood work: Assess overall health or screen for medications that may mask underlying issues.
• Endoscopy: Evaluate airways or gastric health (e.g., signs of ulcers).
• Bone scan (nuclear scintigraphy): Detect bone abnormalities not visible on X-ray.
• MRI: Provide detailed imaging of both bone and soft tissue, particularly in complex or subtle cases.

Radiographic examination of the feet and hocks is quite common. Other areas may be radiographed depending upon the intended use, examination findings, or insurance requirements. Radiographs are interpreted in conjunction with the soundness examination. Unremarkable radiographs do not confirm the lack of pain and inflammation, just as some radiographic abnormalities do not confirm the presence of inflammation.

At the conclusion of the examination, go through the findings with your veterinarian and ask any questions you may have.

Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481