Performance And Hind Hoof Angle (cont'd) Refer to Figure 2 as you consider what occurs to the bony column when it is shifted in front of center and what occurs to support. The third phalanx or coffin bone (3) is at a low angle well below 55 degrees; th e foot is forward and rocked back. The second phalanx or short pastern (2) is al so rocked back proportionately. Start at a point and draw two lines parallel to one another to represent the bony column support. Consider these questions with a horse that stands approximatel y 15 hands: What happens to the parallel lines if, at the starting base, we angle one line to 1 degree? What happens in 1 inch? In 1 foot? In 5 feet? If your heels are 1 inch too low, what will happen 5 feet above in the pelvis and back area? How far will the 1-degree angle cause the bony column support to be off in th e pelvic and back area? The first phalanx or long pastern (1) will go down and back, while the third met acarsal or cannon bone (10) will go down and back under the trunk causing stress in the hock area. The bones of the tarsus (9), the fibula (7) and tibia (8) will angle slightly forward, causing the femur (6) to rock back and give a tucked look to the ischium (5) and ilium (4). This causes the sacrum (12) to drop and provides the appearance of a bump, which is actually the top of the lumbar vertebrae (11) that is connected to the sacrum (12). The sacrum becomes tender and sore to the touch when tested by running a finger and thumb simultaneously along both sides of the spine from withers to dock. The bony column support is compromised and causes an unexplainable lack of locomotive performance.

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