Medio-lateral balance is one of the most influential and most misunderstood principles in farriery. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, we explore what medio-lateral balance really means, why visual symmetry can be misleading, and how poor balance contributes to long term lameness and pathology.
Marc explores how farriers should assess medio-lateral balance both statically and dynamically, explains how conformation dictates loading patterns, and discusses why trimming and shoeing decisions must always respect the horse’s functional anatomy. From long-axis assessment of the forelimb and hindlimb to the role of radiography in modern farriery, this episode provides practical, evidence based insight for working farriers, students, and equine professionals alike.
⏱️ Episode Chapters / Key Topics
- What medio-lateral balance really means in farriery
- Common misconceptions around “level” feet
- Why functional balance matters more than visual symmetry
- Static assessment: what to observe before lifting the foot
- Using the coronary band, hoof capsule, and growth patterns as indicators
- Assessing medio-lateral balance through the long axis
- Dynamic assessment at walk and trot
- Understanding landing patterns, stance phase, and breakover
- How discipline and surface influence medio-lateral forces
- Conformational faults and their impact on hoof loading
- Toe-in, toe-out, base narrow, and base wide horses explained
- The role of radiography in accurate balance assessment
- Forelimb assessment and weight-bearing considerations
- Hindlimb assessment and propulsion-related imbalances
- Pathologies linked to chronic medio-lateral imbalance
- Trimming strategies: restraint, precision, and gradual correction
- Shoeing options for managing imbalance
- Bar shoes, spiral lifts, pads, and frog support explained
- Long-term management versus short-term correction
- Key take-home messages for farriers and hoofcare professionals
🎯 Who This Episode Is For
- Working farriers
- Farriery apprentices and students
- Equine vets and therapists
- Educators and exam candidates
- Horse owners interested in hoof biomechanics
🧠 Key Takeaways
- Medio-lateral balance is functional, not cosmetic
- Visual symmetry does not always equal correct loading
- Conformation dictates how forces travel through the limb
- Long-axis assessment is critical for accurate evaluation
- Radiography can reveal hidden imbalances within the foot
- Over-correction can be as damaging as no correction
- Small, incremental changes produce the best long-term outcomes
🔧 Practical Skills Covered
- Static and dynamic balance assessment
- Long-axis limb evaluation
- Identifying compensatory hoof distortions
- Interpreting wear patterns and landing preferences
- Selecting appropriate trimming and shoeing strategies
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To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:
Store | thefarrier
For an eBook version visit here:
The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books
