These photos were taken during our personal close encounter with Jaime Jackson’s famous cadaver mustang hoof in February, 2008. This more than 20 year old hoof capsule is in remarkably good shape, after all of its world travels!

We have to consider that there is bound to be some shrinkage and contraction over the years of this once living tissue; still the basics of the form can’t be denied. The short toes, the short heels, the frogs on the ground, the extremely passive outer wall.

This hoof is like a work of art, with perfect, harmonious form. The smoothness of the sole and bars, the way everything blends together, the gentle arch of the sole shape. Note the weightbearing of the wall is on the white line/water line junction.

All of the principles of our trim come straight from these wild hooves. Note the very large heel/bar platform in the rear of the hoof, which is created by the enormous thickness of these heel walls. Some people mistakenly think the heels are “underrun,” but there is simply no comparison to the deformity of captive hooves. On the contrary, this strength is an important feature of the wild hooves.

by James and Yvonne Welz, published 2011 Hoof Help Online

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