http://sports.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/barefoothorses/photos/view/62ff?b=1

Here are some photos showing how backing up breakover changes the
effective toe angle when measured from the point of breakover up to
the coronet band. They also show how deceiving a standard farrier gauge can be.

Having a good barefoot hoof gauge also helps me to know when I can
lower the heels more on those problem front hooves. These photos are
of a rear hoof. The standard farrier gauge at 48 degrees would have
worried me but the corrected angle at 55 is fine for rears.

Had I only used a standard farrier gauge and thought the fronts were
at 48 degrees I would have lowered the heels very little because it
is close to the 45 minimum. HOWEVER the corrected angle of 55 tells
me that the heels could be lowered a lot but not all at once.

Don Huston


Don Huston
donhuston @ cox .net
SanDiego, Calif