Following this simple list might assist you in your daily practices.

1. Approaching your horse ensure the symmetry is releatively close, they don’t have to be exactly equal, but very close to being the same size and form.

2. Carefully examine for faults in the hoof wall and coronary band.  Lift up each hoof, run your palm along the exterior of the wall to pickup any impairments.  Apply the exact technique for the coronary band and then squeeze it softly. Using these two procedures will also highlight soft spots and damp holding areas.

3. Examine the sole. Examine the colour of each hoof. If correct they should be similar in colouration.  A clearly delineated dark spot will indicate bruising or puncture wound.

4. Look at and compare the frogs.  The two front hooves should be of similar proportions and shape, the same applies to the back hooves. You should lightly press each frog with your hoof pick, in most areas, apart from the desert areas, it should be slightly spongy.

5. If already shod, grasp the shoe and see if it moves. Check for lost clinches, if loose you may opt to take off it in case your horse loses it by itself and perhaps removes a piece of hoof with it.

If you continuously check each hoof, you will be able to avoid a great deal of issues by catching the problem before it worsens.

I would recommend you include into your hoof cleaning routiene a couple of quick steps. Use your hoof pick from heel to toe.  If packed solid you will probably need to loosen it up a bit before it can be removed. Once the material is removed, check all the areas of the hoof and be positive that there is not a bad odour as this is normally a clear cut sign of thrush.  Be certain there are no rocks or stones stuck anywhere, particularly underneath the shoe.

Your horses hooves should display a natural sheen on the wall of the hoof.

If you find a smooth uniform surface free of cracks, rings, depressions, flares and a concave sole which touches the horseshoe, then you should be confident that your horses hooves are in good condition.

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Traditional veterinary medicine, much like in the human world, is often based on treating symptoms rather than the cause, or the underlying problem. Alternative horse therapies, on the other hand, are ancient forms of treatment that take a holistic approach to the whole body, mind, and spirit of the horse, to treat the underlying causes of problems manifesting in the body, and promote an overall sense of well being.

There are many types of alternative horse therapy treatments used to treat a large range of problems that your horse may be experiencing. It is recommended that alternative treatments be used regularly as a preventative treatment, rather than having to use them as a treatment after damage has been done. Below are some of the most commonly practiced alternative therapies for equine treatment, and well being.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture, as an alternative therapy, which uses tiny needles inserted into meridians, or certain parts of the horse body, to maintain the horses balance, as well as promote good overall health. The examination and treatment requires close observation of the horse to identify the points of the body that need the treatment.

Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic treatments also need close observation of the horse, after a close observation the horse body is then manipulated to improve the flexibility of the horses spine, and joints. Horse chiropractic therapy is much the same as human chiropractic therapy and can increase the performance of a horse by moving joints into place to assist with overall performance.

Body Work

Bodywork is the term used for massage therapy, which treats soreness in the horse muscles. Unlike chiropractic therapy; bodywork concentrates on the horses muscles, rather than joints. This therapy is used to promote efficient movement by taking away the soreness in the horse muscles.

Homeopathy
Using naturally occurring substances diluted down to minute particles are the basics of homeopathy medicine. This therapy is used for treating diseases in a horse body. Homeopathy is an ancient Chinese form of medicine, which has been used successfully with horses and humans alike to treat a large range of diseases, and illnesses. Homeopathy is usually used along with other alternative therapies, such as chiropractic, bodywork, and acupuncture.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses fragrances that can affect the mood of a horse, assist in healing, and promote a sense of wellness. Aromatherapy is often used alongside herbs in a horse diet, to reduce irritation of the digestive tract, for better overall health, and well being.

Other Physical Therapies
There are many physical therapies being introduced to treat pain in horse tissues, and bones. Some of these therapies are known as magnetic therapy, laser therapies, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, and are often used by veterinarians.

In most cases, the horse body can heal itself without medicines, synthetic, or alternative. But when natural therapies are used, they provide quicker healing times, and a feeling of overall well being, which will put the horses body into the healing mode faster, and possibly reduce healing times considerably.

Kelvin Ho

http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/alternative-horse-therapy-101862.html

Alternative Equine Therapy

Practicing horses to render healing therapy to people is often named equine-assisted therapy, alterative horse riding, or adaptative riding. 

Animal Therapy  Natural Health Alternative

In fact, my Hypertension No More Program was inspired by the horse training methods I observed and have used with my own horses. Growing up on a farm gave me plenty of opportunity to observe and even compare the socialization of animals 

Alternative Horse Therapy

There are many types of alternative horse therapy treatments used to treat a large range of problems that your horse may be experiencing. It is recommended that alternative treatments be used regularly as a preventative treatment

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