Theory of coffin bone palmar/plantar angle.

The tension of the DDFT is regulated by the *brain* of the horse as a protective and reactionary measure.

Tension of the DDFT muscular unit determines palmar/plantar angle.

The horse is seeking to either protect itself from pain and damage and or is attempting to maximize efficiency in moving its mass from point A to point B over the ground.

Example: over hard ground the horse lengthens the DDFT to reduce the impact of ground reaction forces.  Over soft ground the horse shortens the DDFT to increase tone to be able to propel its mass forward. Pain= a shortened DDFT to produce the braced gait necessary to protect the limb.

Solution for a negative palmar P3- reduce the need for the horse to lengthen the DDFT.

How?  1- Utilize a shoeing package that mimics soft ground vs hard ground.  Frog support and impression packing 2- Reduce the lever of the toe wall to engage the DDFT in motion.

Solutions for a too steep palmar angle-   Utilize a shoeing package that protects the hoof from the ground, primarily the sole.  A stiff pad/frog support pad with super soft impression material.  Do not reduce the leverage of the toe wall beyond what would be considered "normal".

I'm not particularly trained.  I barely have a base, and because so I've done virtually no speedwork. I'm heavier than I want to be.

So why am I running the New England Mountain Running series?

Because I CAN.

Years ago, when I was "serious" about running- translate- my horse was lame and I couldn't ride, I had endometriosis that was not well controlled.  It meant that I could squeeze in 19 days of running, followed by 4 days of being so grokked out on pain medication that I could barely function.  It meant that certain days were totally off the table for running, and in particular, racing.  Ya do what ya gotta do, right?  But I wouldn't be human if I didn't say that it was irritating to not be able to run a series of races.  Back then I was "into" the Mt Washington Road Race, and thus ran many of the mountain races as prep races, but never the whole series.

Fast forward to perimenopause (a relief from endometriosis that has its own special quirks- hello heart arrythmias!)  the ever increasing "grandma bod", and a sudden refusal on my part to spend time in the saddle, I've decided that it's time to drag out this particular axe to grind.

Hence, the New England Mountain Running series. I want their mountain goat status.

Three mountains down, three to go.

Because, after all these years, I CAN.