What Is THE SUTTLE TOUCHTM?

THE SUTTLE TOUCHTM is a unique approach to hoof care that is founded on the unwavering belief that we have to look at--and involve--the whole horse if we are to find the appropriate solutions and effect a conscious change.

 

Farriery, is both a science and an art.  The science is the leverage of muscle, tendon, ligament and bone and its interaction with the tissue that supports and surrounds the bone.  The art is in how we resolve seemingly contradictory issues to adjust the leverage equation.  The art is also in determining what is missing from that leverage equation and then figuring out a way to supply it.

 

The Three Primary Principles of THE SUTTLE TOUCHTM:

1. For a horse to be sound we must find the EQUILIBRIUM POINT between:

  1. a. the weight of the horse;
  2. b. the bone, muscles, ligaments and tendons that resist this weight, and
  3. c. the strength of the tissue.

 

2. EACH HORSE IS DIFFERENT and each leg may be different, depending horses's age, conformation, injury and activity.

 

3. Therefore, we must constantly EVALUATE AND ADJUST THE MECHANICS at play in the horses's foot to reach that equilibrium.

 

The Underlying Foundation:

A healthy state of equilibrium is necessary for soundness. Farriers frequently use the term "balance". When we use it we are referring to the foot. "The foot is in balance". It sounds good, but what does it really mean? Does it take the rest of the horse into account? There is a need to expand on the concept of balance and to think of how the foot relates to the rest of the body. How does the body affect the foot and how does the foot affect the body? They are all connected. Equilibrium is a better term. I am looking for a means to get all the body parts working in harmony. This means I work in conjunction with others to meet the needs of the individual horse. There cannot be a set formula.

 

Fundamental Concepts:

There are things that "just are" that affect the equilibrium in the horse's foot. These are the natural levers that both hold the horse's weight and create movement.

  • The legs form a column that supports the horse’s weight.
  • The bones are levers.
  • The muscles and tendons move the bones and hold those bones in a position to support the horse’s weight.
  • The foot is a malleable foundation.
    •  

    The relationship of these parts to one another and their position under the mass of the body will determine how effectively they are able to function and what shape the foot will take.

     

    Adjustments

    Everything we do affects the mechanics in the horse. By learning to really look at each horse's strengths and weaknesses, we can begin putting together a plan and a team to address those issues. Individual professions have developed techniques that are used to move the horse towards some goal. Again, we are adjusting the mechanics of leverage. When a horse responds positively to our various techniques, it is moving towards equilibrium.

     

    Some elements that can effect that change:

  • Chiropractic
  • Massage
  • Training and carriage of the horse
  • Posture and position of the rider
  • Saddle fit
  • Nutrition
  • Dentistry
  • Medical intervention
  • And most specifically, shoeing

    •  

    There are five fundamental ways farriers influence the foot and, as a consequence, the entire horse:

  • The depth of the sole under the coffin bone,
  • The angle of the bottom of the coffin bone to the ground,
  • The location of the break-over point in relation to the center of the foot,
  • The relationship of the exterior foot to the interior foot, and
  • How the shoe fits:
  • the position of the shoe on the foot
  • the position of the shoe under the leg

    •  

    This is true for both the shod and barefoot horse.  How we put this all together will affect the soundness of your horse.

     

    I have found that by adapting a team approach to deal with the health of the horse, by communicating effectively with all those involved including owners, trainers and other practitioners, we can complement each other's work.  We all win, most especially the horse.