How to Map a Foot for Natural Balance Horseshoeing

A farrier uses hoof mapping as the foundation of natural balance hoof trimming and horseshoeing. Accurately mapping the sole of a horse's foot establishes the proper location of the Widest Part of the Foot (WPOTF) and the coffin bone. Correctly identifying these aspects of the horse's anatomy provides the basis for a balanced hoof to leg relationship and therefore a sound and comfortable horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Hoof knife
  • Hoofpick
  • Straight edge ruler
  • Permanent marking pen
  • Diagram of a horse hoof
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pick up the horse's foot.

    • 2

      Trim the sides and central part of the frog - the V-shaped horny center of the foot - with the hoof knife. Remove any loose pieces of dirt or hoof.

    • 3

      Trim away the flaky or chalky looking parts of the concave sole of the hoof until the smooth, waxy surface can be seen. Pare the area of the hoof where the sole and wall meet.

    • 4

      Identify the true apex of the frog. This is the tip of the point in the V-shape. Measure back 1 inch toward the horse's heel. Draw a straight line across the frog at this point with a marking pen.

    • 5

      Identify the bars of the foot. These are the narrow ridges of tissue that resemble parenthesis on either side of the frog. Locate the end of the bars by pulling a hoofpick along the sides of the frog from the heel forward until you feel a raised hump. Draw a line at this point on each side of the frog.

    • 6

      Draw an arc 2 inches long on each side of the foot at the junction of the wall and the sole. Locate the peak of this arc. Draw a line at the peak of the arc on both sides of the foot.

    • 7

      Line up all three marked locations. Draw a straight line across the foot connecting all the previously drawn marks. If only two of the three marks line up, draw the final line by connecting those two marks. You have identified the WPOTF.

    • 8

      Draw a line across the back of the foot at the open top of the V-shape of the frog.

    • 9

      Draw a line tracing the junction of the sole and wall of the foot. Start the line at the quarter side heel opening of the foot on one side and draw a continuous line around the toe to the other quarter.

    • 10

      Measure 1.75 inches toward the horse's toe from the line drawn across the sole of the foot made in Step 7 (the WPOTF). Mark this point. This provides the approximate location of the tip of the coffin bone. The horse is now ready for the farrier to determine the best way to trim the hoof and set the shoe.