THRIVE FEED BLOGS

A substantial misunderstanding in the horse world is the way people think about hooves. Most people see the hoof as a shape. An angle. A static structure. But a hoof is not a shape. A hoof is a motion. And when you understand that, everything about trimming, soundness, and comfort becomes clearer. The Hoof Exists to Move A hoof is not a block of horn. It is a dynamic interface between the horse and the ground. Every stride involves: Landing Loading Expansion Breakover Release

The heel is one of the most misunderstood structures in the horse’s foot. Most people focus on the toe because it is visible. But the heel is where real hoof function lives. A healthy heel is not just a shape. It is a mechanism. The Heel Is the Shock Absorber When the hoof lands, the horse is not just placing weight down, it is absorbing impact. The heel and back of the foot are designed to: Dissipate concussion Engage the digital cushion Support blood circulation Protect joi

One of the most important moments in a horse’s stride happens so quickly that most people never think about it. It is called breakover. Breakover is the point where the hoof leaves the ground, rolling forward over the toe as the heel lifts. It is the transition between weight-bearing and swing phase, and it determines how easily the horse can move. When breakover is correct, movement is effortless. When breakover is delayed, everything changes. Breakover Controls Timing A hor

There are few small changes in a horse’s body that create as many downstream effects as a long toe. It is subtle at first. A few extra millimetres forward. A slightly delayed breakover. A change so gradual that many owners do not notice it happening. But the horse notices. Because in the horse, the hoof is not just a foot. The hoof is the beginning of the entire movement system. The Hoof Is the Timing Mechanism of the Stride Every stride begins and ends at the ground. The hoo

When most people think of hoof trimming, they assume the goal is simple: The farrier arrives, trims the horse to the anatomically correct angles, and the job is done. On that day, the horse looks perfect. The feet are balanced, the toe is correct, the angles are correct, and everything appears as it should. But here is the problem: A horse is not trimmed for one day. A horse is trimmed for the next six to eight weeks. And the hoof does not stay where the farrier left it. Hoov