Anuario Raza Polo Argentino Anuario2017 | Page 260

growth on one side and then on the other may
crack or wear and the point of breakover may move
from the center to one of the sides. During the
time in which the horse steps on an uneven foot,
the reaction forces act unevenly, and therefore the
stimuli on growth cartilages will also be uneven,
resulting in limb nonalignment if this defect us
upheld.
Summarizing, foal hooves grow more quickly than
those of the adult horse. Wear tends to smooth the
contact area. While they step on an uneven foot,
the forces that act and stimulate growth cartilages
are uneven. Thus, limb deviations occur.
In order to avoid this, periodical trimming is needed
in foals. It is as simple as it is useful.
Trimming consists in rasping the contact or
surface area of the foot, level it and center the
point of breakover. This in itself is easy and quick.
Holding the foal to be able to trim its hooves is
what might take more time. It is only natural that
the horse may be a bit afraid and wary and tend
to offer resistance when we try to raise its limbs
for paring. This is where we try to teach them and
give them confidence. We must manage this with
friendliness; patience; serenity, teaching them the
positions needed to be able to trim their hooves
without force or violence.
Ideally, this should be done at the dam’s side
and with two people to hold it. Without resorting
to bending its tail; gagging it or twisting its ear. It
should be a positive experience for the foal.
Limb deformities are classified into angular and
flexural, according to whether they are assessed
from the front or the side.
Angular deviations are more frequent in the carpal
region, and secondly in fetlocks and pasterns.
258
All are examples of how to manage
foals peacefully; how to move them
and how to pare them