March 7, 2009

Breakover

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Hi Cherry,

I have a 17-year-old Quarter horse mare that I keep barefoot and ride only on the weekends (if I have time). I noticed she's been getting more and more uncomfortable on her feet and stumbles a lot when I ride her. My shoer is not that easy to talk to so last week I took the plunge and hooked up with a new shoer that just moved to the area. He said her toes were way too long it he was going to shorten the toes and round them off to help breakover. I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off at the time and didn't get a chance to ask him what breakover meant. His first trimming sure make a big difference in the way my old Quarter Horse mare moves and acts. She hardly stumbled at all last time I rode her and her feet look better, too. Do you think this is related to breakover and what is it, anyway..

Thanks, Angie

Hi Angie,

This page from our new book, Horse Hoof Care, should sum it up for you.

Best of Luck,