EponaMind

13/11/2025

Recognizing Capsular Distortions and Their Effects on Soft Tissues

In most cases, capsular distortions can be addressed through proper trimming and/or appropriate shoe placement. However, depending on the horse’s age and the presence of underlying pathologies, complete resolution may not always be possible. It is essential to allow sufficient time for the hoof to heal, as it generally takes about a year for a hoof capsule to fully grow out.

Beyond the hoof itself, other factors must be considered. Horses are highly adept at compensating for discomfort or imbalance, and it takes time for the entire body to adapt to structural changes. Effective rehabilitation therefore extends beyond hoof care alone—it involves supporting the horse’s overall musculoskeletal health and movement patterns.

Stay tuned for more on this topic...

09/11/2025

Capsular Distortions and It's Consequences

At times, I am asked how to identify the effects of elevated heels and their impact on hoof tissues. The primary assessment method is to apply gentle pressure with a fingertip to the top of the coronary band. If the tissue does not yield under mild pressure, it may indicate a loss of elasticity in the coronary band. It is important to remember that the collateral cartilages are located directly beneath and behind this structure (see image below).

The contour of a healthy coronary band should appear smooth and form an angle of approximately 25 to 30 degrees relative to the ground. In other words, the caudal aspect of the hoof should slope slightly downward.

View the full video here: https://youtu.be/y_IO8INIsOQ

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21/10/2025

The effect improper load on the sole and underlying tissues

This horse is a three-year-old Warmblood, was under saddle at the time of the experiment. This horse has good overall conformation and strong, healthy hooves. Photographs will be provided in a later post.
The right front hoof was gradually elevated to a 13.5° angle. At the beginning of the assessment, in a neutral position, the distance from the extensor process to the proximal dorsal wall measured 0.50 inches. The sole depth at the tip of the third phalanx measured 0.44 inches, and the palmar angle was 6.16°.
After elevating the heels by 13.5°, the distance from the extensor process to the proximal dorsal wall decreased from 0.50 inches to 0.39 inches. The sole depth beneath the tip of the third phalanx decreased from 0.44 inches to 0.33 inches. The palmar angle (excluding the artificial heel lift) increased from 6.16° to 7.23°.

The 13.5° elevation produced a notable change in stance, causing visible misalignment of the joints. This post focuses on the effects of altered load distribution over the sole. The resulting abnormal positioning of the bones placed excessive pressure across the sole, leading to unnatural deformation. Raising the heels increases the load on the front portion of the hoof, resulting in compression of the sole arch, particularly in the anterior region of the hoof. Proper stance and tissue mechanics must be respected when manipulating hoof angles to avoid compromising structural integrity and function.

15/10/2025

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09/10/2025

"Joint Gap" as an Indicator of Medial-Lateral Balance�

A horse’s hooves are structurally designed to accommodate movement on sloped or uneven surfaces without causing joint complications. The joints and ligaments possess adaptive capabilities that allow them to adjust effectively to varying gradients.

�In this model, even when significant medial-lateral imbalances are introduced, the resulting change in joint gap remains minimal and difficult to detect.
This suggests that the current approach lacks sufficient sensitivity; ideally, it should be capable of detecting medial-lateral imbalances on the order of just a few degrees.

02/10/2025

Factors Influencing the Interpretation of Radiographs
While limb positioning can influence weight-bearing and bone alignment, research and practical experience show that the palmar angle does not significantly change under these variations.
• Slide 1 illustrates different limb positions on the blocks:
o Left: limb positioned vertically in line with the cannon bone
o Middle: horse standing too far forward
o Right: opposite leg lifted

• Slide 2 demonstrates the effect of varying the location of the central beam. The red cross indicates the beam’s position, with the generator placed approximately 36 inches from the hoof. This increased distance helps to “flatten” the image, improving accuracy for measurements. As a result, precise central beam placement becomes less critical.

• Slide 3 highlights the geometry of radiography. Importantly, magnification remains uniform across the image and is not dependent on the central beam’s position.

• Slide 4 shows a horse standing on both blocks with both hooves on blocks of the same height. Despite this, horses still "rock back and forth" - but this gives you the best chance of getting a representative standard practice radiograph.

• Note when lifting the opposite leg when radiographing would reduce the rocking and make a more repeatable radiograph - however, it is not "standard practice" and the increased weight bearing changes angulation and will look 'odd' compared to the standard practice method.)
This post is just an introduction to radiography. I will post a detailed webinar on this topic soon.

01/10/2025

The position of the hoof capsule in relation to the fetlock plays a critical role in determining the lever arm acting on the distal phalanx (pedal bone), among other biomechanical factors. In practical terms, the hoof capsule must be stand beneath the bony column to provide proper support and biomechanics.
Equally important is the position of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule, as this directly influences the lever arm forces at the pedal bone. BOTH the external position of the hoof capsule and the internal alignment of the distal phalanx must be carefully evaluated when trimming and/or shoeing.
Additionally, each hoof should be addressed as an individual unit. Variations in pedal bone morphology are significant, and these differences must be taken into account to achieve optimal balance and function.

I intend these comments to be for cases lacking extreme pathologies.

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30/09/2025

Biomechanical implications of excessive lift or wedging, particularly its effect on joint alignment relative to the unique morphology of each limb. In comparative radiographs (inverted, “black bone on white”), the before-and-after images following significant wedging illustrate the problem: the altered positioning forced the joints into an unnatural orientation.
In the post-wedge radiograph, it is likely that the cranial portion of the condyle was subjected to abnormal loading. Furthermore, the wedging appeared to press the extensor process against the dorsal wall, compounding the unnatural stresses on the joint – among other things.
What is your estimation of the wedge in the after picture? The wedge was used on a non-pathological case.

26/09/2025

Excessive wedging—particularly beyond 2 degrees in severe cases—forces the joint into an unnatural position. In general, less wedging is always preferable.
In one example, the application of a small lift measuring 0.45 cm (0.18 in), creating a wedge of less than 1.40 degrees, improved the palmar angle from a negative value of -2.44 degrees to a positive value of 3.25 degrees. Additional factors such as packing material, shoe placement, and appropriate breakover further supported the correction of the negative angle. While it may appear that excess adhesive was used, it served only to fill the gap around the lift/wedge, which remained at 0.45 cm (0.18 in).
This raises a broader discussion regarding the biomechanical implications of excessive lift or wedging, particularly its effect on joint alignment relative to the unique morphology of each limb. In comparative radiographs (inverted, “black bone on white”) from another horse, the before-and-after images following significant wedging illustrate the problem: the altered positioning forced the joints into an unnatural orientation.
In the post-wedge radiograph, it is likely that the cranial portion of the condyle was subjected to abnormal loading. Furthermore, the wedging appeared to press the extensor process against the dorsal wall, compounding the unnatural stresses on the joint.

18/09/2025

What degree of correction should be achieved in a single shoeing when addressing severe caudal failure?

Several factors must be considered, including the adaptive capacity of tendons, ligaments, and overall stance. Proprioceptive input also plays a critical role in considering the appropriate degree of change.

In this case study, the left front hoof angle improved from –5.34° to 0.87°, representing a correction of 6.21°. This constitutes a substantial adjustment. Similarly, the right front hoof angle improved from –2.44° to 3.25°, a correction of 5.69°, which is also significant.

It is important to note that the objective is not to match hoof angles bilaterally. Attempting to align the left hoof angle to that of the right would require an 8.59° correction in a single session, which would exceed safe limits. A more prudent approach is to distribute changes evenly between both hooves.

Finally, one must recognize that each hoof—and the corresponding pedal bone—exhibits unique morphological characteristics, further underscoring the need for an individualized, balanced approach to correction.

What is the angle of the caudal lift for each hoof? Can you guess?

View full video here: https://youtu.be/q_ysNuK1j4Y

11/09/2025

Considerations in the Mechanical Management of Laminitis
Raising the heels to reduce the pull of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) is often discussed in the context of laminitis. However, this is not the only factor to consider. The equine foot is a complex, interconnected structure, and addressing one element in isolation may overlook the broader biomechanical implications.
When evaluating heel elevation as part of mechanical treatment, several important questions arise:
• What degree of heel elevation provides the most benefit?
• Is a greater elevation always advantageous?
• Is it acceptable to alter normal joint angulation to compensate for rotation of the third phalanx?
• What are the potential consequences of excessive heel elevation on muscles, tendons, and ligaments?
• Does artificially increasing heel height in the forelimbs alter weight distribution between the fore and hind limbs, and in turn affect loading on the laminitic hooves?
• It is worth considering that a modest increase in heel angle just a few degrees may be sufficient in some cases?
From over 25 years of experience managing laminitis, I have rarely found it necessary to significantly raise heels. When I have done so, it has typically been in hooves already exhibiting a negative palmar angle (caudally rotated). Pre-existing hoof conformation often plays a critical role in exacerbating a laminitic episode.
For a more detailed analysis, I encourage you to review my published case studies and documented outcomes on laminitis management.
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