Transition Tuesday Week 26

If You Think Peripheral Loading Is

A High Carb Diet For Athletes:

Think Again

Natalia Magnicalballi and dancers of Ballet Arizona. Photo^© Rosalie O’Connor.

I’m fascinated by the mechanics of the foot. Take the photo above and imagine the forces exerted on the foot while it is on pointe. The career of a ballerina is usually over before she is 40 and a lot of it has to do with the kind of pressure her feet and ankles are subjected to. And her feet are ruined in the process.

The effects of a steel shoe are also interesting – especially when you think about how much pressure is placed onto the hoof wall. When you load weight onto the perimeter of the foot, you stress the mechanics of the foot and you prevent blood flow, much like the ballerina standing on pointe. Without blood, there is less growth and less capacity for shock absorption.

We’ve all had horses who seem sore when they trot down the road. I wonder how much of it is due to the compromised mechanics of the foot. Compare this to a Geisha whose feet are bound to prevent expansion and proper growth. One thing is sure: my horses have never felt as good as they do now they are barefoot.

Far on a training ride last weekend. He feels sound and happy.

The video below from Swedish Hoof School

is not for the faint of heart, but it is definitely worth seeing. I guarantee it will make you think.

 

I recently put Far back to work after a ten-week layoff following Tevis. It was his first rest in two years and I think he is better for it. I am surprised that the shape and structure of his feet have changed very little since Tevis. His heels still seem a little high and they are still a little contracted. It is interesting that his feet have not evolved as much as Redford’s. I suspect much of it is due to the lack of work.

You can see that Far’s heels are still a little high by the line above the boot.

Far’s front left foot: there is still room for improvement.

If you keep off the peripheral loading your horse might be better for it.

Keep up the bootlegging!

Kevin

Comments

[Denise Frick]

My niece is a former ballet dancer, and started at age 10. Her feet were trashed by the time she was 16, she danced with sores but she loved it. However, she was also a juvenile diabetic and she could no longer risk her feet with dancing and had to leave it at 17. Good analogy