In recent years many people have been studying the wild mustang hoof. The research is on going and aimed at determining the reasons that these wild horses have much stronger feet than domesticated horses. Interestingly both genetics and the environment seem to be at play and of almost equal influence.
Mustangs are rounded up on a regular basis and distributed to homes throughout the United States. Many people have noticed and commented upon the excellent quality of their hooves when compared to horses born and raised in domestic situation. One of the most important influences is the environment. Many mustangs live in the arid regions of the west. They spend their days moving over very hard rocky ground.
Lameness is the number one reason for a horse to be out of action. It is also one of the most typical reasons to call a veterinarian in. It can be quite costly to not only have the initial visit, but in many cases the animal needs further tests to try and determine exactly what is wrong. Medication may be the next step or even surgery. Throughout this time the horse is not able to work and the owners are typically getting quite frustrated.
In contrast free range mustangs rarely experience this type of problem. Researchers are finding that their feet have adapted perfectly to life in very harsh conditions. In fact they have some excellent features that their domestic cousins could really use. One of the most obvious differences is in the thickness of the hoof wall.
In the wild any time of lameness is a death sentence to a horse. Those that cannot escape will quickly be taken by the many natural predators on the range. Mountain lions, wolves and cougars all prey on horses. Studies have shown that foals are also born with adaptations to their hooves that make it possible for them to travel over harsh terrain soon after they are born. This ability really is the difference between life and death.
Another interesting finding is that the walls of the mustangs hooves are much thicker than those of domesticated horses. The hooves in general are typically bigger and more able to distribute weight and lessen the stress. Many breeds of domestic horses have very small feet. This may look pretty and be a bonus in the show ring, but for practical purposes it is not an advantage.
There is a new trend in the equestrian community towards bare foot trimming. This style of hoof care is aimed at providing a minimal amount of interference to the horses natural ability to take care of himself. Trimming focuses on not only shortening the hooves but also rolling the toes to mimic the feet of the free range mustangs.
As soon as they are rounded up the feral horses are inspected for signs of ill health or disease. In most cases they are found to be very healthy and the handlers are amazed by the excellent condition of the wild mustang hoof. In fact a study of over one thousand eight hundred mustangs revealed not one case of club foot, a surprisingly common condition in domesticated equines.
Mustangs are rounded up on a regular basis and distributed to homes throughout the United States. Many people have noticed and commented upon the excellent quality of their hooves when compared to horses born and raised in domestic situation. One of the most important influences is the environment. Many mustangs live in the arid regions of the west. They spend their days moving over very hard rocky ground.
Lameness is the number one reason for a horse to be out of action. It is also one of the most typical reasons to call a veterinarian in. It can be quite costly to not only have the initial visit, but in many cases the animal needs further tests to try and determine exactly what is wrong. Medication may be the next step or even surgery. Throughout this time the horse is not able to work and the owners are typically getting quite frustrated.
In contrast free range mustangs rarely experience this type of problem. Researchers are finding that their feet have adapted perfectly to life in very harsh conditions. In fact they have some excellent features that their domestic cousins could really use. One of the most obvious differences is in the thickness of the hoof wall.
In the wild any time of lameness is a death sentence to a horse. Those that cannot escape will quickly be taken by the many natural predators on the range. Mountain lions, wolves and cougars all prey on horses. Studies have shown that foals are also born with adaptations to their hooves that make it possible for them to travel over harsh terrain soon after they are born. This ability really is the difference between life and death.
Another interesting finding is that the walls of the mustangs hooves are much thicker than those of domesticated horses. The hooves in general are typically bigger and more able to distribute weight and lessen the stress. Many breeds of domestic horses have very small feet. This may look pretty and be a bonus in the show ring, but for practical purposes it is not an advantage.
There is a new trend in the equestrian community towards bare foot trimming. This style of hoof care is aimed at providing a minimal amount of interference to the horses natural ability to take care of himself. Trimming focuses on not only shortening the hooves but also rolling the toes to mimic the feet of the free range mustangs.
As soon as they are rounded up the feral horses are inspected for signs of ill health or disease. In most cases they are found to be very healthy and the handlers are amazed by the excellent condition of the wild mustang hoof. In fact a study of over one thousand eight hundred mustangs revealed not one case of club foot, a surprisingly common condition in domesticated equines.
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