Comparison of the trimming procedure of six different farriers by quantitative evaluation of hoof radiographs.

The research study is about exploring the impact of different farriers on the parameters of horse hoofs through trimming. Surprisingly, variations were found in hoof shapes even after consecutive trimmings from the same farrier.

Objective and Methodology

• The objective of the study was to determine the influence exerted by different farriers on the hoof parameters of horses through their trimming procedures.
• The study involved forty Warmblood horses varying between 6-12 years of age with wither heights ranging from 162-172 cm.
• The horses were divided randomly into six groups, each containing six or seven horses. Each group was attended to by one of six different farriers.
• A standardised method was used to radiograph the hooves of horses twice, before and after the trimming procedure.
• Measurements were drawn from digitalised radiographs with the help of a specific software program.

Findings

• Significant differences were identified in nearly all parameters on the lateromedial radiographic views after two consecutive trimming processes, suggesting that each farrier has a unique influence on hoof parameters.
• The study further revealed consistent differences in the outcomes of the trimming procedures for multiple farriers, observed in both lateromedial and dorsopalmar views.
• There were marked differences in most of the measured hoof parameters between the six examined farriers and also between sequential trimmings of the same farrier.

Conclusion

• The study underscores the individual influence of each farrier on the shape and balance of the horse hoof.
• These findings can have implications for the overall health and performance of horses, emphasizing the importance of a careful selection of farrier services.