Olga_i/Shutterstock.com Figure 10-36. Hoof health is one of the most important parts of managing equine health. The triangular area at the back of the hoof is called a frog and functions like a pump to return blood from the hoof to the heart. horses) use the white line as a guide for trimming and for setting nails. The bottom of the hoof is called the sole. The sole is thick, hard, and somewhat flexible and protects the more sensitive part of the sole directly beneath the bones of the foot. The horse’s sole protects the horse much like the sole of your shoe protects your foot. The frog is a triangular area in the middle of the sole. The frog helps circulate blood in the foot and from the bottom of the leg to the heart. The bars are located on either side of the frog. The bars are depressions in the sole of the hoof which provide stability for the walls and allow the frog to expand as the hoof impacts the ground. A horse’s hooves are designed to help absorb impact however, there are risks from placing too much pressure on a section of the hoof. Placing too much pressure on a section of the hoof can cause bruising to the internal portion of the hoof. Excess pressure may be due to running on extremely hard surfaces or hard objects, such as rocks, impacting the sole. To avoid undue pressure, never run your horse on pavement, and take extra care to remove rocks and other hard objects from arenas and areas where horses are ridden. Hoof Maintenance The makeup of the hoof requires horse owners to take special care to ensure that hooves are appropriately maintained. Some of the considerations for hoof care include: „ Ensuring that your horses’ hooves are kept trimmed and well maintained. Hooves should be trimmed or reshod every 6–8 weeks, Figure 10-36. „ Clean hooves with a hoof pick every time you groom your horse. Keeping the bars clean will allow the frog to function properly. „ Proper hoof moisture should be maintained to prevent cracking or fungal growth. Keep stalls clean to prevent ammonia exposure to hooves. Horse Behavior The behavior of horses is a topic that has been studied in depth. Horses are driven by several instincts that guide much of their activities. These behaviors include: „ Fight or flight—horses will naturally try to remove themselves from situations that cause them fear, but will stand and fight if they feel cornered. Bulb of heel Quarter Bars Frog Sole White line Wall Toe Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 10-35. The bottom of a horse’s hoof is designed to protect the internal structures and aid the body in pumping blood back to the horse’s heart. What are some considerations you should be mindful of when caring for hooves? After studying the hoof image, visit www.g-wlearning.com to test your knowledge. 552 Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.