Horseshoes are protective devices attached to the hooves of horses to enhance durability and performance. They are typically made from materials such as steel, aluminum, or composite materials and are designed to protect the hoof from wear and tear, provide traction, and support for various equine activities. The application of horseshoes, known as shoeing, is performed by a farrier and involves careful consideration of the horse's hoof anatomy, activity level, and environmental conditions. Horseshoes can be customized to address specific hoof health issues or performance needs. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the design, application, and impact of horseshoes on equine biomechanics, hoof health, and performance.
Caure S, Miljak K, Dendaw P, Thesée L, Villedey E, Malinvaud A, Cousty M, Prié V, Horan K, Weller R.Effects of ground surface and hoof angles on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics are poorly understood. However, the equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral areas present frequent lesions and he management of factors that might improve treatment and rehabilitation outcomes, such as ground surface and hoof angles, requires more investigation. Objective: Our objectives were to determine the influence of ground surface (asphalt versus sand) and a 3 degrees hind toe or heel elevation on cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics during walking and trotting. Methods: Six saddle horses ...
Gottleib K, Trager-Burns L, Santonastaso A, Bogers S, Werre S, Burns T, Byron C.Differences in horseshoe materials may have effects on gait that could change perceived esthetic qualities. Objective information regarding effects of shoeing on gait characteristics of horses is scant. The aim of this study was to determine differences in gait characteristics for horses under various experimental shoeing conditions (barefoot, aluminum shoes, steel shoes) on two surfaces (asphalt and soft footing) using body- and hoof-mounted sensors. We hypothesized that shoeing would affect hoof arc height during early (arc height a) and late (arc height b) swing phases but would not affect ...
Ennsmann LH, Licka TF.Most horses are used with horseshoes additionally supported by either dorsoabaxial or dorsal clips. The effects of such clips on bone density and shape of the distal phalanx are currently unclear. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between density and shape of the distal phalanx, comparing front hooves unshod or shod with standard shoes either with two dorsoabaxial clips or with a single dorsal clip. Researchers analyzed Oxspring radiographs of either the left or right front hoof from warmblood horses ( = 137) and ponies ( = 43) aged 3-28 years. The evaluation focused...
Aoun R, Ogunmola Z, Musso A, Taguchi T, Takawira C, Lopez MJ.The shift in vertical forces on the equine hoof surface by heart-bar, egg-bar, and wooden clog shoes can significantly impact gait kinetics. Hypotheses tested in this study were that vertical, braking, and propulsion peak force (PF) and impulse (IMP) are different while shod with heart-bar, egg-bar, open-heel, and wooden clog shoes, or while unshod, and the resultant ground reaction force vector (GRF YZ ) has the longest duration of cranial angulation with open-heel shoes followed by unshod, then egg-bar and heart-bar shoes, and the shortest with wooden clog shoes. Forelimb GRFs were recorded ...
Colla S, Johnson JW, McGilvray KC, Zanotto GM, Seabaugh KA.Therapeutic shoeing for horses is used to affect the palmar angle (PA) of the distal phalanx. These changes may influence the strain on the distal interphalangeal joint collateral ligaments (DIJCLs). This cadaveric study aimed to assess DIJCL strain under varying loads and PA adjustments. Using 26 cadaver forelimbs, eight optical markers were placed on one DIJCL for strain measurement under five different loads (1000-5000 newtons) at a neutral PA, followed by PA increases of 2°, 4°, and 6° and decreases of -2° and -4°. The results indicate that increases in PA corresponded to significantl...
Schaus K, Wacker J, Jandowsky A, Büttner K, Röcken M, Bartmann CP.Morphometric measurements of the toe serve as a reference for the objective assessment of the presence of a pathological condition and as a guide for the correct trimming of the hooves. Therefore, the anatomical differences between horses and donkeys oblige an autonomous database with reference values for the donkey. The aim of this study was therefore to provide readings of the distal hind limb on radiographs of donkeys. Radiographs of the distal hind limb in two projections of 41 generally sound donkeys without lameness in walk were taken after previous hoof trimming and preparation accordin...
Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Millard S, Weller R, Pfau T.Horseshoes used during racing are a major determinant of safety as they play a critical role in providing traction with the ground surface. Although excessive hoof slip is detrimental and can predispose to instabilities, falls and injuries, some slip is essential to dissipate energy and lower stresses on the limb tissues during initial loading. This study aimed to quantify hoof slip duration in retired Thoroughbred racehorses galloping over turf and artificial (Martin Collins Activ-Track) tracks at the British Racing School in the following four shoeing conditions: 1) aluminium; 2) steel; 3) G...
Mata F, Franca I, Araújo J, Paixão G, Lesniak K, Cerqueira JL.Hoof trimming and shoeing determine the horse's hoof shape and balance. Hoof conformation plays a crucial role in limb biomechanics and can consequently prevent or predispose to injury. This study investigated the relationship between the morphometric characteristics of the horse's hoof, specifically, the dorsal hoof wall angle (DHWA), the coronet band circumference (CBC), and lameness in 73 horses categorised as undertaking either show jumping, dressage, or riding school activities. Results from logistic regression indicated that horses with either a combination of acute DHWA with large CBC, ...
Aoun R, Takawira C, Lopez MJ.To provide an overview of available research about effects of horseshoes on equine kinetics and kinematics. Methods: The terms, "horse/equine," "hoof," "shoes/horseshoes," "kinetics," and "kinematics" were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International, and United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library for manuscripts from first availability to 2024. Independent reviewers used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines to map and extract evidence-based data from sources. Metrics included partici...
Caure S, Dendauw P, Thesee L, Villedey E, Malinvaud A, Cousty M, Prie V, Horan K, Weller R.There is a paucity of scientific data on the effect of shoeing on equine neck and back kinematics during locomotion over commonly used sand training surfaces. A better appreciation of how alterations at hoof-ground interface influence equine upper body movements is relevant for improving horse's health and performance. Our objectives were to determine the effects of different shoeing conditions on equine neck and back kinematics at walk and trot in straight line over sand. Two-dimensional kinematic video analysis was performed under seven shoeing conditions: front feet shod with aluminum shoes...
Bark C, Reilly P, Weller R, Pfau T.Hoof care providers are pivotal for implementing biomechanical optimizations of the musculoskeletal system in the horse. Regular visits allow for the collection of longitudinal, quantitative information ("normal ranges"). Changes in movement symmetry, e.g., after shoeing, are indicative of alterations in weight-bearing and push-off force production. Ten Warmblood show jumping horses (7-13 years; 7 geldings, 3 mares) underwent forelimb re-shoeing with rolled rocker shoes, one limb at a time ("limb-by-limb"). Movement symmetry was measured with inertial sensors attached to the head, withers, and...
Zalig V, Vengust M, Blagus R, Berner D, Sandow C, Hanna A, Miklavcic M.Lameness originating from the distal limb is common in sport horses and can vary depending on the dynamics of movement and the surface, with differences in shoeing exacerbating this variability. Driving horses work primarily on hard surfaces (pavement), whereas dressage horses work primarily on soft surfaces (riding arenas with sand). Driving horses are traditionally shod with small fixed studs made of hard metal, which are attached to the horseshoe at 4 points, while dressage horses are shod with a simple horseshoe. We investigated the hypothesis that there is a difference in the pathological...
Poochipakorn C, Sanigavatee K, Wonghanchao T, Huangsaksri O, Chanda M.Underrun heels are among the most hoof imbalances, causing poor performance in hoses. Several corrective shoeing protocols have been performed, but the outcomes have yet to be consistent. In this study, we proposed an alternative trimming protocol for managing underrun heels: strategic palmar trimming before conventional shoeing. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the potential of strategic palmar trimming before conventional shoeing for managing hoof imbalance in horses with underrun heels. Unassigned: Eleven affected horses were divided into control (5 horses with 14 defective...
Reilly PT, van Eps A, Stefanovski D, Pfau T.Horseshoes with modified contact surfaces combined with deformable ground substrates are used to change hoof orientation during mid-stance, for example, for therapeutic reasons. Objective: To measure the effect of horseshoes and ground substrates on sagittal and transverse plane hoof orientation at mid-stance using a dorsal hoof wall mounted triaxial accelerometer. Methods: In vivo experiment, randomised crossover design. Methods: Differences in sagittal and transverse plane angles between standing and mid-stance of the left front hoof of six horses walking with regular horseshoes, egg bar, to...
Mieszkowska M, Holak P, Zhalniarovich Y, Mieszkowski M, Domagalska-Stomska K.A sound knowledge of horseshoe impact on blood flow parameters is required for making shoeing decisions and selecting the most appropriate types of shoes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of horse shoeing with egg bar shoes and shoes with wedge pads on blood flow parameters in the lateral palmar digital artery measured by Doppler ultrasound. The study was conducted on 16 horses divided into two groups. Horses from group 1 were shod with egg bar shoes. Horses from group 2 were shod with shoes with wedge pads. Doppler ultrasound parameters of the lateral palmar digital artery at...
Aoun R, Charles I, DeRouen A, Takawira C, Lopez MJ.Equine shoes provide hoof protection and support weakened or damaged hoof tissues. Two hypotheses were tested in this study: 1) motion of the third phalanx (P3) and hoof wall deformation are greater in laminitic versus unaffected hooves regardless of shoe type; 2) P3 displacement and hoof wall deformation are greatest while unshod (US), less with open-heel (OH), then egg-bar (EB) shoes, and least with heart-bar (HB) shoes for both hoof conditions. Distal forelimbs (8/condition) were subjected to compressive forces (1.0x102-5.5x103 N) while a real-time motion detection system recorded markers o...
Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Charoenchanikran P, Joongpan W, Chanda M.Z-bar shoeing has been implemented to relieve uniaxial palmar pain arising from the structures in the affected region. However, there have been no reports on the long-term application of the z-bar shoe during exercise training regimens. A 10-year-old mixed-breed show jumping pony presented with an occasional short stride and abnormal rhythm while turning during routine exercise for three months. Gait analysis conducted by trotting off on both hard and soft surfaces showed no lameness in the straight line on both types of surfaces. However, right forelimb lameness was detected with moderate and...
Takahashi Y, Yoshihara E, Takahashi T.Gluing an aluminum shoe onto equine hooves has been known to restrict heel movement and might cause interference with shock absorption and blood flow to the hoof. To investigate the effects of new glue-on type shoes on heel movement, 2 experiments that compared forelimb heel movement between conventional nailed shoes and flexible polyurethane glue-on shoes or Hanton-type shoes, which had 2 side clips for adhesive, were conducted on separate days. A displacement sensor was fixed on the heel to measure the forelimb's mediolateral heel movement. Exercise consisted of walking at 1.7 m/s, trotting ...
Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T.Horseshoes influence how horses' hooves interact with different ground surfaces, during the impact, loading and push-off phases of a stride cycle. Consequently, they impact on the biomechanics of horses' proximal limb segments and upper body. By implication, different shoe and surface combinations could drive changes in the magnitude and stability of movement patterns in horse-jockey dyads. This study aimed to quantify centre of mass (COM) displacements in horse-jockey dyads galloping on turf and artificial tracks in four shoeing conditions: 1) aluminium; 2) barefoot; 3) GluShu; and 4) steel. ...
Mieszkowska M, Adamiak Z, Holak P, Głodek J, Jastrzębska E, Wolińska K, Mieszkowski M.The presented manuscript provides reference for practitioners when measuring normal hoof temperature, as well as controlling the temperature after shoeing with particular shoes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of horse shoeing with egg bar shoes and shoes with wedge pads on hoof temperature measured by thermography. This was a prospective study conducted on 16 horses. The horses were divided into two groups: horses from group 1 were shod with egg bar shoes, while horses from group 2 were shod with shoes with wedge pads. Thermographic examination was performed below the metaca...
Wang P, Takawira C, Taguchi T, Niu X, Nazzal MD, Lopez MJ.To assess the effect of horseshoes with and without traction adaptations on the gait kinetics of nonlame horses during a trot on a concrete runway. Methods: 5 nonlame adult light-breed horses. Methods: Kinetic data were obtained for each horse when it was trotted across a force platform within a concrete runway unshod (control) and shod with standard horseshoes; standard horseshoes with high profile-low surface area calks, with low profile-high surface area calks, and coated with a thin layer of tungsten carbide (TLTC); and plastic-steel composite (PSC) horseshoes. Kinetic data were obtained f...
Caure S, Bonomelli N, Carro M, Leveillard D, Blanville F, Mortagne P, Cousty M, Weller R.Although the effects of both the surfaces and plantar angles on equine locomotion have been widely discussed, limited scientific data are available. Methods: Our objectives were to determine the effects of two surfaces (asphalt and sand) and of 3-degree hind toe or heel elevation on horse kinematics in an experimental study. Six saddle horses were shod with a reference shoeing (REF), characterized by a fore aluminium (REF F) and hind steel racehorse (REF H) shoeing. Two dimensional kinematic videos compared horse's kinematic parameters when walking and trotting on asphalt and sand. On asphalt,...
Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Brinkley L, Carnall H, Harborne D, Hammond L, Millard S, Pfau T.Riding racehorses is a high-risk profession and optimizing safety alongside performance is paramount. Horseshoes play a critical role in providing traction with the ground surface and are therefore a major determinant of safety. However, the subjective perceptions of expert riders influence attitudes towards using different shoes and must be taken into consideration before any changes may be implemented. This study used a questionnaire-based method to evaluate jockey opinion of four shoeing conditions (aluminum, steel, GluShu, and barefoot) trialed at gallop over turf and artificial surfaces. ...
Senderska-Płonowska M, Zielińska P, Żak A, Stefaniak T.Heel contraction is an undesired but common condition in domestic horses. Some authors indicate shoeing as a risk factor. There is a correlation between shoeing and a restriction of heel expansion, but the clinical significance is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of shoeing and other risk factors, such as age, access to paddock, and breed, on heel contraction. This study included 114 horses, 55 of which were barefoot their whole life and 59 had been shod consistently for at least the previous year. The width and length of the frog were measured. Linear mixed-effects models w...
Walker L, Martinelli MJ, Rantanen N, Drumond B, Trostle S.Nuclear scintigraphy can be beneficial in the investigation of equine lameness and poor performance. Images obtained through the sole allow for better identification of a region of increased radionuclide uptake in the foot. The presence of shoes or pads may affect these images. To determine the degree of radioactive attenuation different types of shoes and pads of different thickness and materials were evaluated by placing the material directly on the gamma camera detector acquiring flood images from a point source. The study compared five different types of shoes from 3 different shoeing mate...
Moore LV, Zsoldos RR, Licka TF.The present study investigated accelerations of the front and hind hooves of horses comparing two different shoe types. A standard steel shoe, with studs, pins, and in some instances with toe grabs, was compared to a steel shoe covered on the bottom with a layer of polyurethane. Four horses were used; they trotted in hand on an asphalt track at their self-selected speed. The results showed significantly reduced decelerations during the stance phase with the polyurethane-covered shoes (10th percentile median steel -2.77 g, polyurethane -2.46 g; 0.06) and significantly increased decelerations i...
Bras RJ, Redden R.Foot-related lameness is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the equine industry. Therapeutic shoeing is a frequently used preventative discipline for the treatment of many causes of lameness. The primary goal for therapeutic applications is to offset the mechanical limitations and enhance the healing environment. Equine podiatry is a blend of the 2 highly respected professions each contributing to the task at hand, but neither formally educated and trained as collaborative team members with a common thread of podiatry principles.
Stutz JC, Vidondo B, Ramseyer A, Maninchedda UE, Cruz AM.Therapeutic farriery is part of the management of certain orthopaedic conditions. Non-podal parameters are important as most horses shod with therapeutic shoes are expected to perform again and the choice of shoe type may be influenced by the effects they may have on gait. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of three different shoe designs and unshod front feet on forelimb non-podal kinematic variables using an extremity mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU) system under conditions of treadmill and overground exercise on a soft geotextile surface at the trot. Ten so...
Hagen J, Kojah K, Geiger M, Vogel M.Corrective shoeing is used to change hoof angulation with the intention to influence the angulation of the digital joints to reduce strain on associated tendons. The objective of this study is to examine how gradual changes in hoof angulation affect the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint (DMPJ) angulation and cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) concerning the individual toe conformation. Forelimbs of 30 horses were examined barefoot and equipped with 5°, 10° and 20° toe wedges (TWs) and heel wedges (HWs). Phalangea...
Chateau H, Camus M, Holden-Douilly L, Falala S, Ravary B, Vergari C, Lepley J, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P, Crevier-Denoix N.Circling increases the expression of distal forelimb lameness in the horse, depending on rein, diameter and surface properties of the circle. However, there is limited information about the kinetics of horses trotting on circles. The aim of this study was to quantify ground reaction force (GRF) and moments in the inside and outside forelimb of horses trotting on circles and to compare the results obtained on different ground surfaces. The right front hoof of six horses was equipped with a dynamometric horseshoe, allowing the measurement of 3-dimensional GRF, moments and trajectory of the centr...
Hill AE, Gardner IA, Carpenter TE, Stover SM.To assess concurrently the effects of moderate ligamentous suspensory apparatus injury (MLSAI), racing-speed exercise, and horseshoe characteristics on risk of catastrophic suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) or metacarpal condylar fracture (CDY) in forelimbs of racehorses. Methods: Cadavers of 301 Thoroughbred racehorses (108 with SAF, 33 with CDY and 160 control horses). Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was used to describe distributions and relationships between MLSAI, exercise, and horseshoe variables. Logistic regression was used to assess potential risk factors for developin...
Riemersma DJ, van den Bogert AJ, Jansen MO, Schamhardt HC.Strains in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle (inferior check ligament [ICL]) and the interosseus medius muscle (suspensory ligament [SL]) in the right forelimb of 5 ponies were measured using mercury-in-silastic strain gauges a few hours after implantation. Tendon strains were recorded at the walk with normal flat shoes, egg-bar shoes, a 7 degrees increased hoof angle accomplished by application of a heel-wedge and a 7 degrees decreased hoof angle using a toe-wedge, consecutively. Ground reactio...
Lawson SE, Chateau H, Pourcelot P, Denoix JM, Crevier-Denoix N.The sagittal alteration of hoof balance is a common intervention in horses, with corrective shoeing being one of the most frequently applied methods of managing tendonitis. However, the effect of toe or heel elevation on tendon strains is poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effect of toe and heel wedges on the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, and the third interosseous muscle or suspensory ligament strains using in vivo data and an accurate subject-specific model. Kinematic data were recorded using invasive markers at the walk and trot. Computerized...
Willemen MA, Savelberg HH, Barneveld A.This study quantifies both the intended effect of orthopaedic shoeing to decrease the load on the navicular bone and the eventual undesired effects on gait performance. The compressive force exerted by the deep digital flexor tendon on the navicular bone and on the quality of the trot and redistribution of forces over the flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament were studied as a function of orthopaedic shoeing in 12 sound Dutch Warmblood horses. A modified CODA-3 gait analysis system and a force plate were used to quantify objectively the load on the lower limb. The quality of the trot was ...
Panagiotopoulou O, Rankin JW, Gatesy SM, Hutchinson JR.Horse racing is a multi-billion-dollar industry that has raised welfare concerns due to injured and euthanized animals. Whilst the cause of musculoskeletal injuries that lead to horse morbidity and mortality is multifactorial, pre-existing pathologies, increased speeds and substrate of the racecourse are likely contributors to foot disease. Horse hooves have the ability to naturally deform during locomotion and dissipate locomotor stresses, yet farriery approaches are utilised to increase performance and protect hooves from wear. Previous studies have assessed the effect of different shoe desi...
O'Grady SE, Poupard DA.Adherence to the basic principles of physiologic horseshoeing is essential to maintaining hoof health and soundness. Most horses do not require special trimming or shoeing techniques. Becoming familiar with a few basic concepts can help the veterinarian to recognize when changes in trimming or shoeing might be expected to help the performance of a sound horse or might help to restore the performance of one that is lame. Sound physiologic horseshoeing can only be achieved by a thorough knowledge of, strict adherence to, and skillful application of basic principles, such as hoof angle, HPA, and ...
Pardoe CH, McGuigan MP, Rogers KM, Rowe LL, Wilson AM.Previous studies on shoeing have demonstrated that shoe material alters the time taken from foot impact to the foot stopping sliding (slip time) and the distance slid. These are assumed to reflect differences in the craniocaudal ground reaction force (GRF) between the shoe and the ground during foot slip. This study tested the hypothesis that the slip time and distance are reflected in the resistance to slippage of the foot after impact. The forefeet of 8 horses were shod in horseshoes constructed of steel, plastic and rubber. Each horse was trotted for 8 placements per forefoot in each shoe t...
Hernandez JA, Scollay MC, Hawkins DL, Corda JA, Krueger TM.To evaluate horseshoe characteristics and high-speed exercise history as risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 377 horses (37,529 race starts). Methods: Shoe characteristics included material, toe grab height, heel traction device, pads, and rim shoes. Racing variables were obtained from a computerized database. Forty-three horses that had a musculoskeletal injury and then failed to race or train for 6 months (cases) and 334 noninjured horses from the same race in which a horse was injured (controls) were compared regarding risk factors. Resu...
Roepstorff L, Johnston C, Drevemo S.The increasing range of of horseshoes and hoofpads makes it important to be able to evaluate their influence on performance and stress in the locomotor apparatus. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in ground reaction forces and locomotion pattern during the stance phase due to the application of a standard iron shoe. Six Swedish Warmblood horses were evaluated kinetically and kinematically before and after they were shod with an 8 mm iron shoe. Data were used to calculate ground reaction forces in the vertical and craniocaudal directions, point of application of the force, hoof ...
van Heel MC, van Weeren PR, Back W.Overload injuries in sport horses commonly occur; shoeing techniques are believed to be important in prevention of these injuries, but there is a paucity of scientific information identifying the potential connection. Objective: To test a horseshoe with a modified rolled toe designed to ease the process of breakover and decrease loading of lesion-prone structures of the distal limb. Methods: Twenty clinically sound Warmblood horses trotted over a track containing a pressure/force measuring system and 6 infrared cameras. The horses were measured with 2 types of shoes, standard flat shoes and sh...
Yoshihara E, Takahashi T, Otsuka N, Isayama T, Tomiyama T, Hiraga A, Wada S.It has been suggested that the heel of the horse's hoof expands in the stance phase and this reduces the concussion at impact and helps pump blood into the hoof. Therefore, farriers usually leave a gap in the heel region when using the traditional nailed shoe. Recently glued shoes which are attached firmly to the heel have been developed and these could restrict heel movement. Objective: To compare the degree of mediolateral heel movement between glued and nailed shoes. Methods: Seven Thoroughbreds were used. Either their fore- or hind hooves were shod with plain aluminium shoes, attached firs...
Kane AJ, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Case JT, Johnson BJ, Read DH, Ardans AA.To evaluate selected shoe characteristics as risk factors for fatal musculoskeletal injury (FMI) and specifically for suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) and cannon bone condylar fracture (CDY) of Thoroughbred racehorses in California. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 201) that died of were euthanatized at California racetracks between August 1992 and July 1994. Methods: Shoe characteristics were compared between case horses affected by FMI (155), SAF (79), and CDY (41) and control horses that died for reasons unrelated to the appendicular musculoskeletal syste...
Eliashar E, McGuigan MP, Rogers KA, Wilson AM.A variety of horseshoe designs are believed to 'ease' breakover, or the unloading of the foot once the heels leave the ground. In this study, conventional toe-clip shoes, quarter-clip shoes, fitted to the white line at the toe, and Natural Balance horseshoes were fitted to the front feet of 9 sound Irish Draught-cross type horses. Forceplate and video motion analyses were undertaken during trot locomotion to determine the moment arm of the ground reaction force on the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, the peak DIP joint moment and the peak compressive force on the navicular bone. DIP joint m...
Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T.Horseshoes influence how horses' hooves interact with different ground surfaces, during the impact, loading and push-off phases of a stride cycle. Consequently, they impact on the biomechanics of horses' proximal limb segments and upper body. By implication, different shoe and surface combinations could drive changes in the magnitude and stability of movement patterns in horse-jockey dyads. This study aimed to quantify centre of mass (COM) displacements in horse-jockey dyads galloping on turf and artificial tracks in four shoeing conditions: 1) aluminium; 2) barefoot; 3) GluShu; and 4) steel. ...
Eliashar E.The first aim of this article is to review the progress made in the field of distal limb biomechanics. By understanding limb biomechanics, it is then possible to review the rationale behind a few of the more common techniques that veterinarians routinely use when treating their patients and to evaluate the evidence in support of them.
Dyhre-Poulsen P, Smedegaard HH, Roed J, Korsgaard E.The dampening of hoof impact was investigated by measuring the accelerations transmitted through structures of the hoof in horses trotting freely on an asphalt tarmac. The hoof dampened the vibrations transmitted to the first phalanx. Shoeing decreased the viscous dampening and increased the median power frequency and the maximal amplitude of the vibrations transmitted to the first phalanx. The pressure inside the digital cushion of the foreleg was recorded. The pressure dropped during the stance phase, indicating expansion of the hoof. The expansion of the hoof was not produced by frog or sol...
Oomen AM, Oosterlinck M, Pille F, Sonneveld DC, Gasthuys F, Back W.The objective of this study was to use a pressure plate to quantify the toe-heel load redistribution in the forelimbs of sound warmblood horses with normal shoes and shoes with a wide toe and narrow branches, used empirically in the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon or suspensory ligament injuries. In a crossover-design study, six horses, randomly shod with normal shoes and shoes with a wide toe, were led over a dynamically calibrated pressure plate to record data from both forelimbs. There were no significant differences between both shoes in the toe-heel index of stance time, pe...
Scheffer CJ, Back W.Orthopaedic shoeing applied for disorders such as navicular disease is mostly evaluated on hard track surfaces, but very often horses are ridden only on soft tracks. To compare the effects of normal shoes, eggbar shoes, and shoes with heel wedges (5 degrees) on the kinematics of the distal forelimb on hard and soft track surfaces, eleven sound Dutch Warmblood horses were led across three different tracks (an asphalt, a fibre/sand mix (= Agterberg), and a pure sand track) with three different shoe types (a normal shoe, an eggbar shoe, and a shoe with heel wedges). The hoof rotation and the maxi...
Willemen MA, Jacobs MW, Schamhardt HC.An in vitro model was developed and validated in vivo to quantify the attenuation of impact vibrations, transmitted through the lower equine forelimb and to assess the effects of horseshoeing on this attenuation. The transsected forelimbs of 13 horses were equipped with custom-made hollow bone screws in the 4 distal bones, on each of which a tri-axial accelerometer could be mounted. The limbs were then preloaded while the impact was simulated by dropping a weight on the steel plate on which the hoof was resting. At the hoof wall, the distal, middle and proximal phalanx and at the metacarpal bo...
Schoonover MJ, Jann HW, Blaik MA.To quantitatively compare 3 commonly used treatments for navicular syndrome (NS) in horses: heel-elevation shoeing alone, heel-elevation shoeing and phenylbutazone administration, heel-elevation shoeing and injection of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) with triamcinolone acetonide (TA), and all 3 treatments in combination. Methods: 12 horses with NS. Methods: A force plate was used to measure baseline peak vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF) of the forelimbs. Each horse's forelimbs were shod with 3 degrees heel-elevation horseshoes; PVGRF was measured 24 hours and 14 days after shoei...
Kai M, Aoki O, Hiraga A, Oki H, Tokuriki M.To develop an instrument that could be sandwiched between the hoof and shoe of horses and that would reliably measure vertical ground reaction forces and three-dimensional acceleration at the walk, trot, and canter. Methods: 5 clinically sound Thoroughbreds. Methods: The recording instrument (weight, 350 g) consisted of 2 metal plates, 2 bolts, 4 load cells, and 3 accelerometers. It was mounted to the hoof with a glue-on shoe and devised to support as much load exerted by a limb as possible. The load cells and accelerometers were wired to a 16-channel transmitter, and transmitted signals were ...
Ovnicek GD, Page BT, Trotter GW.The principles and techniques of natural balance trimming and shoeing are designed to optimize the efficiency and function of the foot. The basic guidelines have evolved in part from wild horse hoof imprint studies done in 1986 through 1987 and first presented in 1995. Further research has contributed to these principles and guidelines to make them applicable to domestic horses.
Rogers CW, Back W.To quantify the effect of plain, wedged and eggbar shoes on the distribution of pressure under the hoof of horses at the walk, at selected areas of interest (AOI), to find scientific evidence for the perceived efficacy of these shoes in the treatment of palmar heel pain. Methods: Six clinically sound adult Warmblood mares weighing 551 (SD 25) kg were shod (forelegs) with either plain, eggbar or 6 degrees-wedge shoes using a latin-square experimental design. All horses were shod by the same farrier, and each balanced and aligned for its individual conformation. Data were collected on three walk...
Pfau T, Daly K, Davison J, Bould A, Housby N, Weller R.Military working horses perform a high proportion of work on road surfaces and are shod frequently to deal with high attrition rates. The authors investigate the influence of shoeing on movement symmetry as an indirect indicator of mechanical differences affecting force production between contralateral limbs. In this quantitative observational study, inertial sensor gait analysis was performed in 23 Irish sport type horses (4-21 years, 1.58-1.85 m) in full ceremonial work at the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. Changes in two movement symmetry measures (SI: symmetry index; MinDiff: dif...
Hill AE, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Kane AJ, Whitcomb MB, Emerson AG.To evaluate effects of toe grabs, exercise intensity, and distance traveled as risk factors for subclinical to mild suspensory apparatus injury (SMSAI) in Thoroughbred racehorses and to compare incidence of severe musculoskeletal injury (MSI) in horses with and without SMSAI. Methods: Nested case-control study. Methods: 219 Thoroughbred racehorses racing or in race training. Methods: Racehorses were examined weekly for 90 days to determine incidence of suspensory ligament injury and monitor horseshoe characteristics. Every horse's exercise speeds and distances were recorded daily. Conditional ...
Mahaffey CA, Peterson ML, Thomason JJ, McIlwraith CW.Different horseshoe designs have been developed in an attempt to optimise footing for equine athletes. Horseshoe performance is assumed to be dependent on the surface and gait, but there are limited data on horseshoe performance on different surfaces, independent of gait variation. Objective: To quantify the dynamic loading for 3 aluminium racing shoe designs on Thoroughbred racetrack surface materials, using a biomechanical surface tester. Methods: A flat racing plate, a serrated V-Grip and a shoe with a 6 mm toe grab and 10 mm heel calks were tested on synthetic and dirt surfaces under t...
Hagen J, Kojah K, Geiger M.The angulation of the equine fetlock determines the load of associated tendons and probably their predisposition for injuries. However, it is questionable how the individual toe conformation and tendon properties interact with the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angle (DMPJ). Data are needed for a tangible evaluation of the equine limb conformation for more specific orthopaedic treatment. The aim was to evaluate the correlation between the DMPJ, toe conformation and cross-sectional area (CSA) of both flexor tendons; the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (...
McIlwraith CW, Vachon A.Treatment of degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) is discussed in relationship to pathogenesis of five clinical entities, defined to facilitate discussion:-1) occurring in high motion joints and associated with synovitis; 2) associated with low motion joints; 3) "non-progressive" articular cartilage erosion; 4) secondary to other identified problems (intra-articular fractures, ligamentous damage, wounds, septic arthritis, osteochondrosis); and 5) chondromalacia of the patella. In addition to direct damage to articular cartilage, synovitis and capsulitis and depletion of matrical glycosa...
Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Brinkley L, Carnall H, Harborne D, Hammond L, Millard S, Pfau T.Riding racehorses is a high-risk profession and optimizing safety alongside performance is paramount. Horseshoes play a critical role in providing traction with the ground surface and are therefore a major determinant of safety. However, the subjective perceptions of expert riders influence attitudes towards using different shoes and must be taken into consideration before any changes may be implemented. This study used a questionnaire-based method to evaluate jockey opinion of four shoeing conditions (aluminum, steel, GluShu, and barefoot) trialed at gallop over turf and artificial surfaces. ...
