Equine podiatry: Difference between revisions

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'''Equine Podiatry''' is the study and management of the of the equine foot based on its anatomy and function.

'''Equine podiatry''' is the study and management of the [[horse hoof|equine foot]] based on its anatomy and function.<ref>FoxFire Equestrian (2011). Equine podiatry. Retrieved from http://foxfireequestrian.com/equine-podiatry/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117232932/http://foxfireequestrian.com/equine-podiatry/ |date=2011-11-17 }}</ref>

Equine Podiatrists are highly trained specialists in shoeless hoofcare who work closely with owners to achieve the healthiest hooves possible for their horse. The approach is somewhat different to traditional farriery, educating owners so that they can understand how different factors influence the health of the hoof, helping to develop hoof-friendly horse management practices and providing close support and guidance as the horse’s hooves change.

It has been proven many times that the horse has the innate ability to heal itself and EPs work hard to ensure that the maxim “do no harm” is followed. The hoofcare system is based on a very effective model which takes a complex structure (the equine foot) and breaks it down into a number of key parts that enable the EP to assess the health of your horses feet and recommend ways of improving that health. An EP’s most important tool is time, a tool which is utilised most effectively by the owner, who is expected to follow a personalised daily hoofcare routine which will improve the health of their horse’s hooves.

Equine Podiatrists can also work with other equines such as donkeys and mules. They never use any kind of shoe that permanently fixes to the hoof. In the UK, only a registered farrier is allowed to shoe horses.

Members of the Equine Podiatry Association (UK) are required to hold a relevant qualification, and prove that they update their skills every year through continuous professional development, ensuring high standards of professional competence are maintained.

The job title '''"Equine Podiatrist"''' is used by people with a wide range of backgrounds.<ref>The Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry (2001. How to become an applied equine podiatrist. Retrieved from http://equinepodiatry.com/</ref> Some are [[veterinary physicians|veterinarians]] who have chosen to specialize in the [[horse hoof|equine hoof]], while some are remedial [[farrier]]s. There is also a new group of specialists known as an "Applied Equine Podiatrist", this specialist may have neither a veterinary nor a farriery background. This specialist works with [[horse]] owners, veterinarians, and farriers to improve the health of the hoof without the use of rigid horseshoes and by taking a more holistic approach. The designation [http://www.equinepodiatry.com/care-providers.html DAEP] denotes those that have achieved a diploma from the [http://www.equinepodiatry.com Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry].

To qualify as an Equine Podiatrist in the UK one needs to complete two strands of study covering the practical and theory aspects of equine podiatry as taught by KC La Pierre.

The equine podiatrist profession can extend to include other equines, such as donkeys and mules.

A minimum of 200 hours of practical, hands-on experience is required, which involves attending at least five five day courses, held either in the UK or the US, as well as a final theory exam.

A human podiatrist is not a M.D. with an interest in feet, but a separate profession with a unique education and licensing system. The use of this term within the equine community has no distinct mandatory education or certification. This can result in confusion as the horse owner is often unaware that the equine podiatrist is a self-appointed title.

==External Links==

http://www.equinepodiatry.net

In the UK an Equine Podiatrist is not a protected title but the title is accepted as a person who has fully qualified with the Equine Podiatry association UK set up in 2006 as the professional body for Equine Podiatrists in the UK. In order to qualify a person has to successfully complete a two year course and is subject to the usual professional requirements such as CPD, insurance, disciplinary procedures, further education etc.

[[Category:Veterinary professions]]

==Overview==

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The common adage “no foot, no horse” rings true in that the shape and soundness of a [[horse hoof|horse’s hoof]] dictates the tasks it can perform.<ref name=preface>O’Grady, S.E. (2003). Preface: Podiatry. Vet. Clin. Equine, 19 (2), xi-xii</ref> Equine athletes asked to perform at intense levels of [[equestrianism|competition]] experience a great deal of wear on the internal and external structures of the hoof.<ref name=preface/> Additionally, the variation in hoof structure is also dependent upon many other factors, including age, genetics, nutrition, and breed.<ref name=horseshoeing>O’Grady, S.E., & Poupard, D.A. (2003). Proper physiologic horseshoeing. Vet. Clin. Equine, 19 (2), 333-351.</ref><ref name=goodandbad>Bowker, R.M. (2003). Contrasting structural morphologies of “good” and “bad” footed horses. AAEP Proceedings, 49, 186-209.</ref>

Equine podiatry essentially characterizes the factors that contribute to a reduction in hoof health and performance such as poor [[equine conformation|conformation]], improper hoof trimming and/or [[horseshoe|shoeing]], intense exercise, and insufficient hoof [[tissue maturation]].<ref name=horseshoeing/><ref name=goodandbad/><ref name=barefootvsshod>O’Grady, S.E. (2006). Barefoot vs. Shod? It depends… Retrieved from http://equipodiatry.com/news/article_barefoot_v_shod.htm</ref> Podiatrists also study the ways in which hoof function can be managed and improved in the equine athlete, and work to prevent the incidence of foot problems through proper hoof maintenance or the use of protective shoeing.<ref name=NVE>O’Grady, S.E. (2006). Northern Virginia Equine: Therapeutic farriery & equine podiatry consulting service. Retrieved from http://equipodiatry.com/index.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210200441/http://www.equipodiatry.com/index.html |date=2012-02-10 }}</ref>

==Shod Versus Shoeless Debate==

[[File:Maréchal-ferrant 10.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Horse being fitted with a horseshoe.]]

Minimal connectedness among [[farrier]]s, scientists and [[veterinary physician|equine veterinarians]] contributes to ambiguity among practitioners.<ref name=preface/> In addition, many of the current procedures in this area are based on personal opinion and traditional practices rather than factual information based on clinical research.<ref name=preface/>

The controversy currently surrounding equine podiatry is whether or not [[horse]]s should be shod or left barefoot.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> Traditionally, the practice of [[horseshoe]]ing was implemented to prevent wear of the hoof wall; however, the modern argument is that traditional [[farrier]]y with steel shoes can restrict natural flexion of the hoof wall, cause hoof deformities, induce [[lameness (equine)|lameness]], and increase the incidence of [[horse]] injury.<ref name=unfettered>Teskey, T.G. (2005). The unfettered foot; A paradigm change for equine podiatry. Equine Foot Science, 25(2), 77-83.</ref> It is stated that these ailments result from the [[horseshoe]]’s tendency to distribute concussive forces unevenly across the foot.<ref name=unfettered/> Proponents of this side are of the belief that horses should be left barefoot and given ample opportunity to develop the internal and external hoof tissues by natural means.<ref name=unfettered/> For example, regular impact on firm ground stimulates [[sensory receptor]]s in the hoof that, in turn, induce a physiologic response to promote strengthening of the hoof wall and an increased sole thickness.<ref name=goodandbad/><ref name=barefootvsshod/>

On the other hand, some insist that the choice of whether or not to shoe should be considered on a case-by-case basis.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> They agree that it is favorable to allow horses to be shoeless when possible, for the same reasons as those listed above.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> They also point out, however, that the use of shoes can be beneficial in many instances.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> This includes times when wear of the [[horse hoof|hoof]] exceeds its growth, or when extra traction is needed for horses in [[equestrianism|competition]].<ref name=barefootvsshod/> Horseshoes can also be used to correct [[lameness (equine)|lameness]], stabilize hoof cracks, and realign bone in the case of [[laminitis]].<ref name=barefootvsshod/> Many proponents of this ideal argue for the natural development of proper hoof structure at a young age, guided only by appropriate trimming and shaping of the hoof as needed.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> In the first three years in a [[horse]]’s life, adequate hoof development stems mainly from stimulation of the horse [[sensory receptors|receptors]] during normal exercise and turn out; however, the intense [[horse training|training]] experienced by two-year-old [[horse racing|racehorses]] puts excess stress on the immature bone structure.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> When the [[horse]] is shod to alleviate the resulting discomfort, the hoof [[sensory receptors|receptors]] lose contact with the ground, which further weakens the foot.<ref name=barefootvsshod/> Without proper treatment, this will often lead to the development of chronic hoof problems.<ref name=barefootvsshod/>

While both sides argue valid points, further research is needed to better understand the factors that contribute to improved hoof health and [[equine]] performance.

==Further reading==

*{{cite book |title=Equine Podiatry |last=Floyd |first=Andrea |author2=Mansmann, Richard |year=2007 |publisher=Elsevier Science Health Science div |isbn=978-0-7216-0383-4 }}<!--|accessdate=2008-06-25-->

*{{cite book |title=The Chosen Road Advanced High Performance Applied Equine Podiatry|last= Lapierre|first= KC|year=2004 |publisher=Naked Greyhound Press |isbn=0-9748585-0-1}}

==References==

<references />

[[Category:Veterinary professions]]