under run heels

Question
Hi Gwenyth
My horse has low underslung heels. I get him shod every month and my farrier says that there isn't any way to get them to grow more upright. He wants to try heart bars to help keep him more comfortable. Any thoughts or ideas?

Answer
Hi Bill ...
good question. :)  The way *I* deal with underslung heels is by removing the shoes and keeping the horse properly trimmed up barefoot. Keeping the toes back and giving a good 45* bevel all round the wall. I'll take the heels back to the widest part of the frog but will not "lower" them for a couple of months. I advise lots of walking on good, solid, hard ground to stimulate good, healthy hoof growth. Even just 10 or 15 mins. a day in hand will help. But I think the real secret is keeping the toes and heels back so the hoof is landing heel-first. It's not a quick fix nor an easy one and the trim needs to be kept up. No more than 6 weeks; preferably trim every 4- 5 weeks.

If you'd like to discuss this further please feel free to email to me.

A good page to review for overall correct trim and balance is: http://www.barefoottrim.com  ...  click on the article listed on the left on BALANCE. That will give you some good visuals. Feel free to print out to show your farrier if he is open to the idea.

Hope some of this is helpful to you.
:) -- Gwen