Originally published by Pete Ramsey, Frog Management.
Prevention and Relief of Navicular Problems
Recent (Dr. Robert M. Bowker/MSU) and not-so –recent (Dr. James R. Rooney) research has shown us that problems in the navicular region are caused by unnatural use or specifically a lack of use of the back of the foot. We once thought of navicular disease (damage to or remodeling of the navicular bone) as a primary problem, but now look at it as a simple symptom of long term toe-first impact, a lack of frog pressure, excessive bar length and/or peripheral loading (forcing the hoof wall to bear all the weight; without natural help from the frog and sole). This knowledge has rightfully caused us to panic if our horses land toe-first and to have deep concern if they have dysfunction in the back of the foot.
An often overlooked, but very important factor is the diet of the horse. The most common reason diabetic humans are hospitalized is foot pathology. Number two; altered skin wound healing. A key feature of any metabolic stress is a shutdown of nutrition to the extremities. High insulin levels increase keratin growth. High glucose levels decrease keratin growth (skin, hair, hoof, laminae, sole and frog). Unnatural, high sugar/starch diets can have the same devastating effect to the frogs that we see in the horses' laminae.
That said, from a physical standpoint, constant pressure and release stimulation is the real hero with any frog improvement. Everything we do with trimming, pads and living terrain should focus on this. Every time you trim a frog, you should consider these four things the trim may be accomplishing:
1) The removal of “flaps” that harbor destructive fungus and bacteria. (frog trimming is healthy)
2) The removal of external callusing that protects the frog from destructive fungus and bacteria. (frog trimming is harmful)
3) The removal of excess frog height/pressure that can cause sensitivity. (frog trimming increases comfort)
4) The thinning of the frog’s protective barrier between the sensitive corium and the terrain can overexpose nerves to pressure. (frog trimming causes lameness and bruising)
If this thoroughly confused you; you're on the right track to learning some important lessons. There are no simple answers, so you should carefully consider each factor before you pull your hoof knife out of your pocket. Lets wade through these contradictions one by one.
The removal of “flaps” that harbor destructive fungus and bacteria.
The flaps that commonly fold over the central sulcus and the collateral grooves may naturally form to hold dirt in place within the grooves to help support the center of the foot (Ovnicek, Bowker). Leaving these flaps alone usually works well in dry areas similar to the high desert biomes most of our horses evolved for. In wet environments or when horses are stabled in close quarters, these “flaps” can harbor mud, manure, and be an ideal breeding ground for harmful microbes. In these environments it is usually best to trim away these flaps so the grooves can self-clean; this is especially important at the central clefts.
Also, of course daily hoof picking is particularly important in these environments. Most horse owners think it is a waste of time because the grooves are immediately filled back up with mud, manure or dirt. They need to understand how quickly microbes can multiply while consuming their horse. Picking out the hooves removes high concentrations of destructive microbes next to the “skin” even if the hoof is packed again one minute later.
Hygiene is important. I have seen too many horses that were lame simply because of advanced fungal infection in the frogs. It is very easy to prevent; very difficult to get rid of, once it becomes established. If you live in a wet environment and want to see “frog magic” try pea gravel for a loafing surface.
The removal of external callusing that protects the frog from destructive fungus and bacteria. Here’s where things get complicated. Yes, we should often trim a frog to create better hygiene and protection from microbes, but you must also be aware that every time you trim away the outer callused layer of frog material, the softer tissue you expose is a perfect target for opportunistic pathogens.
I was originally taught as a farrier to routinely trim the entire frog every time I trimmed the rest of the foot. I was also taught that most horses (shod or bare) living in our wet Appalachian environment could be expected to get thrush every winter. When I became more conservative with the trimming of my client’s frogs, I almost eliminated thrush in my clientele. I had to admit to myself I had been causing thrush for years, by routinely removing the protective callus from the frogs.
Of course there is a time and a place to trim frogs. Just think before you do it, and have a good reason why. To make things pretty? Not a good enough reason. Flap removal for hygiene? Maybe, maybe not. It varies from horse to horse; barn to barn. Just don’t trim an entire frog because one small part of it needed a trim. Trim the part that needs attention and leave the rest untrimmed. If a frog needs a large reduction, do it; but if you think a particular frog needs to have 1/8 inch layer shaved off, leave it alone!
The removal of excess frog height/pressure that can cause sensitivity. As discussed in the articles previously mentioned, most domestic horses have not been allowed to roam enough to fully develop the internal structures in the back of the foot. (Bowker) This is the most common cause of hoof sensitivity and ultimately, navicular disease.
Hooves with fully developed inner structures often have tremendous frogs, often longer than the heel walls yearning to absorb the energy of impact. This is natural, very good news for the horse and should be encouraged.
Sometimes, however, a frog that is longer than the heels can cause pain if the internal structures aren’t ready for it. Often a horseshoe or a long heel on a barefoot horse lifts the frog from its natural impact position. The frog’s corium, “knowing” how important frog pressure is, responds by moving towards the ground or prolapsing. Suddenly trimming heels to a more natural height or pulling the shoes can cause soreness because a tremendous new excessive pressure is being applied to the weak internal structures. Trimming the frogs can relieve this pressure and increase comfort while the corium migrates back up into its natural position. This is very often the right thing to do on a “set-up” trim; BUT…….
The thinning of the frog’s protective barrier between the sensitive corium and the terrain can cause sensitivity. Every time we trim (thin) the frog we risk sensitivity. Most of us are too quick to routinely trim the entire frog. It looks prettier and more professional if the entire frog is clean, white and perfectly shaped after a trim. But “pretty is, as pretty does”. Imagine the calluses being routinely trimmed from your own heels every four weeks. Can you see that it could rob your performance? Certainly, and the horse is no different.
If the heel height is diligently maintained, you will find that most frogs will callus off at the right height and need little or no trimming. Routine frog thinning can seriously rob performance. Even if the trim cycle is long enough that ¼ inch of excess heel is removed during the maintenance trim it is usually okay to leave the frog longer than the heels. It will find the “right place” in a matter of hours or days. Don’t touch it if trimming would only accomplish shaving off the external callus.
Frog pressure is critical for the support of the impact loaded, dropped fetlock, the coffin joint and thus the ligaments and tendons. It is a strong statement, but I truly believe a lack of frog support (including too-soft terrain) is the culprit behind almost all ligament injuries in the lower leg. Frog pressure is important for P3 support on impact, armor plating the back of the foot and plays a role in overall hoof mechanism or function. Too many of us were taught to protect it or relieve it from pressure…. We need to put it into hard work. Frog pressure is good!
If we do anything to cause or allow sensitivity through the frog, the horse will toe walk. This motion directly causes all known “navicular problems” and most joint, tendon and ligament problems, it can also wreck the entire body. Toe walking can single-handedly cause white line separation; even P3 rotation in spite of the best hoof care and management efforts. Not only that, the resulting lack of frog pressure slows frog growth and prevents protective callusing; perpetuating the problems.
This may muddy the waters for you. Many professionals are content to routinely trim the entire frog, while others never touch it. Performance and comfort can be dramatically improved if more careful thought and decision making is applied to frog trimming. Just think before you cut! There is no such thing as a “good habit”. So much has been written about the management of every other part of the external foot and so little about the frog. Experience has shown me that the decisions we make with frog trimming may be more important than with any other part of the foot.
