In the mechanical management of laminitis, which action is used to align bones?

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In mechanical management of laminitis, the main goal is to rebalance the hoof so weight passes through the correct axis and the coffin bone is supported, not twisted or sunk. Trimming to align bones does exactly that by shaping the hoof so the coffin bone sits in proper alignment with the hoof wall and the ground surface. This helps reduce abnormal torque and shear forces on the sensitive laminae, distributes weight more evenly, and supports the bone’s position during recovery. Soaking the hoof softens tissue but doesn’t reposition bones, topical ointment protects or aids healing but doesn’t realign structures, and nail trimming alone doesn’t correct bone alignment—it’s trimming to align the bones that achieves the desired mechanical balance.