Mechanical separat
Mechanical separation
Commonly known as road founder, this occurs when horses with long toes are worked extensively on hard ground. The long toes and hard ground together contribute to delayedbreakover and hence mechanical separation of the laminae at the toe. Historically this was seen in carriage horses. These horses were bred for heavy bodies and long slim legs with relatively small hooves; their hooves were trimmed for long toes (to make them lift their feet higher, enhancing their stylish "action"); and they were worked at speed on hard roads. Road founder is also seen in overweight animals, particularly when hooves are allowed to grow long: classic examples are ponies on pasture board in spring, and pregnant mares.