Just curious how many strive in your work to achieve this? I've heard, learned and been taught both. Flat is desirable and also that flat is not. I do know from a physics point of view, things that land flat tend to "explode". Could it be possible that forcing flat landings (for as long as we can because we all know you can't fight conformation) could actually be detrimental? Just curious what others do. Thanks
I was taught/learned that slightly heel first landing is best/most desirable, flat is second best and toe first is the least desirable and usually indicative of pain/lameness/unsoundness. Over/through the years, nothing has changed my mind about that sequence except that "It Depends" is still ever in play.
did you mean lateral first vs medial when referring to "flat" landing? I'm still looking for that horse that doesn't land slightly lateral first...
Well, I can say that I don't normally trim or shoe to force a flat landing, but you'd be suprised how many clinicians promote it. I don't agree but was just curious how many actually follow this.
I used to think about landing alot more than I do now. I just try to get a shoe to fit one corner of the horse, work with the other three shoes, and watch him go better and win stuff. I've heard you can buy all kinds of foot attachments to make 'em land heel first.
I heard that it's not uncommon for a gaited horse to land toe slightly toe first. Min seems to land lateral first. (?)
I should probably put this on another forum, but I think it's neat how nurses can take such good care of the infirmed among us.
You heard wrong. Generally speaking, toe first landing is one definition of lameness. Exceptions noted. Many people have observed that many if not most horses land slightly lateral to medial.
