Contracted Heels

Before First Trim

This is a left front hoof that has long, overgrown and contracted heels. The central sulcus of the frog has a slit in it and is very deep. The hairline is pushed up as evidenced by the upsided-down "V" shape (from this view of the heels).

As additional background, this horse toes in and has for most of his life. This makes sense because the medial wall is higher than the lateral wall. The medial wall is also vertical and almost slanting toward the middle of the foot, instead of angling outward as it would in a more healthy hoof.

One Month After First Trim

This is four weeks after the initial trim. Notice how the slit in the frog is longer. This shows that the heels are indeed spreading and the frog is starting to open up.

The lateral wall is no longer quite as flared. The medial wall is still high, but this horse has had this condition for a long time and it is possible that the interior structures of the foot have adapted to this.

Seven Weeks After First Trim

You can see that the heels and walls are not as contracted since the hairline is no longer pushed up so much like a "V". The back of the hoof is wider and the heel bulbs are much more full and healthy. The medial wall is still a bit higher than the lateral wall, but because this horse has been toed in and with this hoof structure for a long time, changes, if any, would occur gradually, and probably not at all without the proper rehabilitation program.

The most noticeable difference is how much the frog has opened up. It still has quite a way to go, but this shows much improvement over the "Before First Trim" photo. The opening up of the frog is attributable to the trim and treating the frog with colloidal silver on a daily basis for over a week.