The Black
In this modern world where you can google the answer to almost any question, why rely on a Vet or Farrier to decide if your horse is using its full potential when it moves? The days of relying on others to tell you if your horse is moving as it should, are over; The Black is the first digital gait analysis system in the history of hoof care.
Iron Rose Forge and Farrier has acquired one of these systems and wants to use it to further the quality of hoof care. The Black was first introduced in the Netherlands by Werkman Hoofcare in an effort to provide hoof care professionals with the tools they need to really improve their work. In 2019 it won an award for Best Horse Product of the Year. This is the only unit in Utah and one of about 10 in the United States.
“Werkman BLACK can help my clients understand better the importance of maintaining good foot balance and footcare”
What is the black?
The Black Gait Analysis system is used to measure and track the movement of the horse. The Black compiles the data it gathers from the two sensors that are attached to the front feet and creates a 3D replica of the horse’s front hooves
We ran The Black on a horse that was diagnosed navicular (which usually means the navicular joint is inflamed) before and after we shod it. The first picture shows the results before we worked on it which include walk and trot speed and hoof angle.
The second picture contains the results from after the horse was shod using 2 degree aluminum shoes on the front feet. There was a distinct improvement in the hoof angle.
This section shows where the foot is breaking over which shows what part of the foot is leaving the ground last. in the first picture the breakover is slightly to the outside whereas it should be inline with the frog.
Here we can see that the breakover has been brought closer to center. Breakover is the last point in which the foot leaves the ground. if it is in center it means this horse is more in control.
The main purpose of The Black is to create a 3D replica of the foot in movement. here is an image showing the path the foot travels. the wider the color range shows more chaotic movement, and the narrower the area the more control.
As you can see after the horse was shod the area of movement was much narrower, or in other words the horse was more consistent in its stride.
How Does This Help Me?
Have you ever had a pair of shoes that was just a little too small? How did your feet feel at the end of the day? Horses feel the same way only they cant communicate with us. The BLACK does that for them. With it we can understand how our horses move and give them the comfort they deserve.