Changes in pressure distribution of the solar surface after a single trimming event are associated with external hoof measurements in the equine fore foot.
Abstract: Trimming is critical for a functioning equine hoof. Pressure distribution provides information on loading; however, information on the effects of trimming on pressure distribution is lacking. Objective: To describe the pressure changes of equine fore feet following trimming. Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study. Methods: Fifty sound horses were recruited. Eighteen external hoof measures of the dorsal, lateral, medial and solar aspects were obtained before and after trimming from 94 fore feet. Horses were walked over a pressure mat before and after trimming and pressure maps of the solar surface created. Percentage change in hoof measures were assessed. Factors associated with an increase in pressure in the frog region after trimming were entered into a forward likelihood ratio logistic regression model. Odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and area under the curve receiver operator characteristics (AUROC) were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated at a cut-off value of p = 0.5. Results: Trimming resulted in a significant increase in pressure, topographically mapped to the frog region, in 12/94 (13% 95% CI 6; 20) feet. Percentage difference in bearing border length (OR 0.66 95% CI 0.51; 0.86), heel buttress to centre of pressure distance (OR 1.30 95% CI 1.10; 1.53), heel angle (lateral side) (OR 1.11 95% CI 1.04; 1.19) and heel length (medial side) (OR 0.92 95% CI 0.85; 0.99) were retained in the final model associated with increased pressure in the frog region following trimming. AUROC was excellent (0.94 95% CI 0.88; 0.99) with fair sensitivity (58% [95% CI 50; 66]) and excellent specificity (98% [95% CI 78; 118]). Conclusions: Subjective lameness exam; horse velocity unmeasured. Conclusions: Measuring pressure changes over the solar surface of the equine fore foot after trimming identified that an increased pressure in the frog region was linked to specific changes in hoof shape.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-01-09 PubMed ID: 39785669DOI: 10.1111/evj.14463Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper studies the correlation between routine hoof trimming and pressure distribution changes on the surface of a horse’s forefoot. The researchers concluded that certain changes in hoof shape, following trimming, were linked to an increase in pressure in the frog region of the equine foot.
Methods and Participants
- The study was conducted on fifty horses which were all in a sound condition.
- Eighteen different external hoof measures across dorsal, lateral, medial, and solar aspects of the hoof were recorded both before and after trimming. A total of 94 forefoot hooves were examined.
- The horses were made to walk across a pressure mat before and after the trimming to record pressure changes at different points on the solar surface of the hoof. This data was used to create pressure maps.
- Percentage changes in hoof measures, based on the collected data, were analyzed. Also, factors related to an increase in pressure in the frog region after trimming were evaluated using a forward likelihood ratio logistic regression model.
- The odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and the area under the curve receiver operator characteristics (AUROC) were also measured.
Results
- The results of trimming displayed a significant increase of pressure, particularly in the frog region, in around 13% of the feet.
- The data found correlation between increased pressure in the frog region and variations in certain external hoof measures such as bearing border length, distance from heel buttress to center of pressure, lateral side heel angle, and medial side heel length.
- The AUROC was excellent, indicating that the model robustly predicts outcomes. The model also had a fair sensitivity and excellent specificity level.
Conclusions
- The study did not measure horse velocity during the lameness examination, which could be considered a limitation in the research approach.
- However, the study concluded that measuring pressure changes on the solar surface of the equine fore foot after trimming could identify a correlation between an increased pressure in the frog region and specific changes in hoof shape. This finding could prove valuable information for those involved in equine foot care to minimize discomfort or injury to horses after trimming events.
Cite This Article
APA
Seery S, Gardiner J, Bates KT, Pinchbeck G, Clegg P, Ireland JL, Milner PI.
(2025).
Changes in pressure distribution of the solar surface after a single trimming event are associated with external hoof measurements in the equine fore foot.
Equine Vet J.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14463 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, The William Henry Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, The William Henry Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
- Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
- Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Grant Funding
- G3016 / Horse Trust
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