It’s that time! Baby Z just had his feet trimmed for the first time. Dr. Scott Morrison is the farrier that trims all foals and yearlings at Lane’s End. He is a veterinarian who specializes in podiatry, and he was kind enough to write this piece explaining the importance of foot management in young horses. Thank you Dr. Morrison!
-Team Z
The Horses foot provides several functions such as support, shock absorption, traction and proprioception (ability to feel the ground and negotiate limb position). In the foal however the foot also plays an important role in limb development.
At birth the hoof is covered with a soft, feathery unpigmented tissue called the perinychium. This tissue forms a soft covering to prevent the hard hoof capsule from piercing or damaging the mares’ reproductive tract during gestation and the birthing process. This tissue quickly dries out and is worn away during the first couple days after birth.
The newborn hoof is fairly soft and pliable compared to a mature horses hoof. But over the first month it dehydrates and matures to more closely resemble that of an adult horses hoof. The newborn hoof is also perfectly symmetrical at birth. Over time the hoof changes shape in response to the forces above. Limb conformation dictates the shape of the developing hoof. The foal’s hoof goes through various shape changes during the first several months of age. These shape changes closely follow changes in limb conformation and posture.
The hoof is designed to serve as a protective barrier for internal sensitive structures as well as provide a base of support and leverage for proper bone, tendon and ligament development. Therefore the shape and integrity of the hoof can have a significant effect on the development of these structures. The relationship between limb conformation and hoof shape plays an integral role in the conformational development of the growing horse. Therefore, maintaining a healthy hoof and intervening with special foot management when necessary, is important in the development of the young horse’s limb.
Routine, proper trimming is the most important element of the foal foot management program. Maintaining a healthy balanced foot is the goal. Simply preventing a foot from breaking up or becoming misshapen or distorted will go a long way in promoting proper limb development. However some foals, in spite of routine proper hoof trimming will have a tendency to develop a crooked limb. In these instances shoes or extensions can be used to provide additional support and influence the forces on the growth plates and encourage straightening of the limb.
The first trim is usually done at one month of age. But the foal’s feet should be handled and cleaned daily; this will make the first experience with the farrier less stressful. Typically trimming at 3-4 week intervals is sufficient for most foals. If there is a tendency for the limb to grow crooked or with an angular deformity, the hoof may need to be trimmed more often to prevent the hoof from developing a distortion or adverse shape in response to the abnormal forces, often a 2 week trim schedule is then recommended. Various shoes can be used to help a hoof support various developmental abnormalities such as: club foot syndrome (contractures), weak tendons (laxity) and angular deformities.
-Scott E Morrison, DVM
Chris Balmes
A big thank you to all of you for taking the time to share the photos and the great information – those two are just adorable together!!! So, so sweet. Have a wonderful day everyone!
diana a.
how cute! thanks for the information and been able to see queen Z and baby!
Carolyn
Love how attentive Mom is! Looks like the baby did well with his first trim! He’s getting so big!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
What a great article and a nice surprise for a Monday morning!! Thanks to Dr. Morrison for the helpful information and to Lane’s End for the wonderful pictures!! I think there’s an “echo” in here (ha, ha) but he is just SOOOOO cute and Mom is SOOO attentive (probably after checking out the doc as suggested by Carol in Utah). Those ears really are something!! Nice to have a new post that doesn’t take a day and half to load.
@Karen Gogue – do you need donations to participate in the cancer fundraiser at Santa Anita??
Sandy
Karen Gogue / L♥ve m♥mma and b♥by!
No, a $10 donation to walk the track to BEART CANCER will get one access to the track, a tee shirt and a wrist band ….. The City of Hope Women’s Cancer program is the beneficary.
All participants are encouraged to wear purple.
“We’ll have purple-colored “On Track To Beat Cancer” tee shirts available for everyone,” said Quinn. “We’re hoping to create a sea of purple and for those who would like to show their support for City of Hope’s women’s cancer research, treatment and education programs, they’ll get the tee shirt, a wrist band and be able to walk down the stretch for just $10 dollars.”
“We’re very excited to once again be partnering with Santa Anita for this year’s ‘On Track To Beat Cancer’ event,” said Steven Martin, Vice President of Marketing at City of Hope. “Last year was such a great success and this year is again a fantastic way to celebrate closing day at Santa Anita while supporting City of Hope’s work to end women’s cancers.”
Anyone making a $10 donation to City of Hope on closing day will be eligible to walk on the track. Fans are encouraged to bring signs and banners, create teams, take photos and dedicate their walk to cancer survivors or to the memory of loved ones who have succumbed to or who are battling cancer.
City of Hope will bring their mobile blood donation truck for fans who wish to donate blood while at the track.
For more information on how to participate in the “On Track To Beat Cancer” event, fans are encouraged to visit http://www.santaanita.com. To learn more about City of Hope’s Women’s Cancers Program, visit http://womenscancers.cityofhope.org.
About City of Hope:
City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope’s research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is based in Southern California and is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit http://www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.
–30–
.
Perky Green
Thanks for posting these adorable photos. Yes he is growing up quickly,and he is truly his mothers baby,in so many ways.
Paula McCaleb in AZ
Dr Morrison, thank you so much for the great article on foot management in young horses…….that was very interesting! I loved how MaMa Z was looking on watching her baby, it looked like he did real well. Baby Z sure has grown, he looks so much like his mama…….what a cutie! Thanks for sharing the pictures……..hugs to Baby Z and Zenyatta
Jenna
Bigger and stronger! He is so handsome!!! More photos, please :>
Melanie
Baby Z, looks all over his Mama! I’m a huge Zenyatta fan. He is absolutely adorable.
More pictures please. Zenyatta looks amazing!
His nickname for me will be “Zendini”!!! Absolute CUTIE…
Shannon From Cool, CA
“How like your good mother you have grown,” a great Charles Dickens quote.
Carol Couvillon, So. Cal
How adorable is HE and so BIG! Those ears are as big as Zs. Great article and very informative. Keep those pictures coming we love them.
KellyM444
Thanks for the update! Love you Zenyatta & 12Z! ^-^
Alex Bowdoin, MA
Thank you Team Z….Isn’t he just the cutest!! Z looks wonderful too….Thanks for the info on foals hooves. HUGS TO ALL
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin- Elated
THOSE EARS!!! Oh my god they’re as big as Zennys! I love them, and now since I am sick of calling him 12Z, and until they name him I shall refer to him as EARnie! Ha, Ha. Thank you so much Dr. Morrison for taking the time to write this excellent article, and to all you Lanes End staff we love so much, for sharing this memorable first for our Zen and EARnie. We are so appreciative of every scrap of info we get.
He is getting so big and filling out that great body, my gosh he’s only 1 1/2 months old. I love the look in Zen’s eyes as she is watching everything so closely, you are such a good mommy, Zen.
Kisses on your noses Zen and EARnie
Hugs to all the Le staff
Auntie Sue
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
Dr. Morrison, thanks so much for the informative article.
12Z is enormous. He’s not walking under his mom’s belly any more! Like everyone else, I adore his ears.
Love the first picture. Zenny never misses a camera, does she?
Carmela B/Pasadena CA
THANK YOU, LE FOR THIS…I for one have been starving for pics of baby Z & Lady Z herself…they grow so fast! He’s going to be as big as his momma I’ll bet..
AND THANK YOU DR MORRISON for your wonderful explanation. I’ve seen baby’s feet and they are definitely different until they’re out & about.. Your lesson was very informative.
So happy to see pics!
maria McLeese
Momma Z watches over Baby Z’s first pedicure. Precious!!!
Thank you for posting an update. I still miss the diary.
Sue
me too
Karen Gogue / L♥ve m♥mma and b♥by!
Me three!!!
Janie (in L.A.)
Me four!!!!
Cindy M. Ottawa
Me Five!!!!!
Maryp (New York)
Prince Z has grown so much already and in time his head will grow in to those gorgeous ears (like mama’s),….he is absolutely “too cute”!
Thank you TeamZ and Dr Morrison for the photos and interesting info on baby’s hooves.
Keep em coming, please.
lil bunny foo foo
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! You started my week off with an “awwwww” and a smile! Look at those legs that keep going and going and going! Then top off the perfect Baby Z package are his adorable ears. We Z fans would recognize her baby among 100! Thanks so much for sharing this slice of their day!
Jewel
So Cuteeee!!! Don’t think he will ever grow into his ears.
Rose from Oklahoma
BabyZZZ and Zenyatta are delightful…wonderful explaination of care. Zenyatta is closely supervising the work,what a dream of a horse. I am amazed at how much the little one has grown.
T.Buck/Texas
awwww how cute the both of them are
Randy
Absolutely fascinating article… thank you Dr. Morrison! It’s hard to believe Z12 has grown so much in just a little over a month… not long ago he was able to walk right underneath her belly! It would be wonderful if he ends up being as tall as his mom.
I bet he’s getting lots of exercise running around and playing with Spooky’s son.
Joanna from TX
I just have to ditto the above sentimets! Great info and pictures (thanks much to LE staff and vet)! And yes…BabyZ’s ears are magnificent!
Keta
A great lesson in foal foot management!
Sounds like keeping a baby in shoes in those early formative years.
Zenyatta is a watchful, but did not seem overly concerned Mom.
And, baby Z is looking more and more like mini Z.
What a happy way to start a Monday!
Thank you Team Z
Sue
I was thinking the exact same thing baby Z is really looking like Mom more and more.
He is so very cute and Mom is looking good too.
signofthetimes
If she were protective she would have wide eyes, you would be able to see the white of her eyes and she would stand between the humans and her colt. She is very relaxed and learning herself as she always is learning new things.
Lawana Whaley
While at the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn last Saturday, I could not help but remember Zenyatta and imagine what it will be like to see Zeebaby race there…. Thanks for the updates
The Kennedys in San Diego
Dynaformer pensioned. So sad, but he sure had a long run and produced so many great runners.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/68977/dynaformer-pensioned-after-cardiac-event
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
I think I posted previously that Dynaformer was not looking too well when we visited him last summer, on a very hot, humid day. We mentioned it to the staff and they were very quick to check up on him. He was definitely not his usual feisty self that day.
Vic will be sad to know that he’s now fully pensioned.
Jan S. / Houston
Dynaformer is now penshioned at Three Chimneys. He had a cardiac episode in his stall, I believe yesterday, per Blood Horse Alert.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
At least he will be able to stay at Three Chimneys, which is home to him.
Max
Sorry to hear that Dynaformer has had heart issues. I love that horse. Enjoy your retirement, Big D.
carol in utah
he is 27 ….isn’t he? time for r&r…
pampering for our loveable grump
Amanda
Looks like he probably would have been pensioned anyway even if he had not of had the heart problem. He has bred 20 mares so far and the 13 they have checked were found to be not in foal. Still 7 more to go so maybe at least one of the will have the last Dynaformer foal.
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin- Elated
So sad to hear about Big “D”, I hope they control the heart problem and he has many more years of retirement……he deserves it, crabby or not!
Keta
Three Chimneys tweeted
Thanks for all of the thoughts & notes about Big D.
His favorite treats are carrots
& he’s been getting tons from us the last few days
Trisha from VA
Look at them! He is really tall walking next to her and well behaved. What a love. Love seeing pics of Zenyatta and 12Z. Love seeing and hearing anything Zenyatta.
As usual Team Zenyatta not only is generous with their girl but we always get an education which is truly appreciated.
Thanks Lane’s End.
How is Tasty and her foal doing?
Love hugs and kisses to all
nancy
Love it :)
Colleen Robbins
Thank you so much for the update on Z12’s development. He is so beautiful and being taken care of so well. Look at his Wonderful Mother standing so close and watching everything the Farrier is doing to her little one….err little? That is one huge magnificent Colt Bernie and Zenyatta have made! I think we should name her Broodmare of the year! She is taking such wonderful care of the Prince. The article was great information. Thanks again!
Mary Margaret in Georgia
Thank Dr. Morrison for the great information. It is great to see Mama Z and Baby Z. He looks like he taking it all in stride, naturally, with Mama’s watchful eye. The Queen looks totally at ease with the 1st ordeal for her little one. She exudes such confidence and should pass that on to the Prince. Lane’s End is the greatest place. Much the best to everyone for everything you all do for our beloved Zenyatta and her prince, and for all the other critters at Lane’s End. Thanks so much for the pics. They look fantastic.