Diagnostic accuracy of digital photography and image analysis for the measurement of foot conformation in the horse.
Abstract: Rigorous evaluation of practicable methods for the objective assessment of foot conformation has not been performed. Objective: To assess the practicability, precision and accuracy of the process of obtaining measurements of horses' feet using photography and image processing software. Methods: Precision study: Lateral photographs of horses' feet were obtained twice by 2 veterinary surgeons (image acquisition - IAc). Photographs were analysed by 2 masked veterinary surgeons on 2 occasions (image analysis - IAn). Measurements were compared within and between operators for self and non-self acquired photographs. Agreement indices (AIs) and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated for the IAn process alone and for the combined IAc + IAn processes. Accuracy study: Measurements obtained from lateral photographs were compared with those obtained from lateromedial radiographs. AIs and 95% LOA were calculated for each measurement. Results: Precision study: Mean intra- and interoperator AIs for the IAn process alone were > or = 0.90 while those for the combined IAc + IAn processes were > or = 0.89 for all measurements. Similar mean AIs and 95% LOA were calculated regardless of image origin. The 95% LOA for hoof angle, heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle for all comparisons were within target values. Accuracy study: Mean AIs were > or = 0.89 for all measurements. The 95% LOA for heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle were within target values. Conclusions: Excellent precision was identified within and between operators regardless of image origin. High levels of accuracy were also identified, especially for heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle, indicating that photography and radiography may be used interchangeably. Conclusions: Acquisition and analysis of photographic images is an appropriate method for the objective measurement of foot conformation, both in clinical and, research settings.
Publication Date: 2009-01-24 PubMed ID: 19165930DOI: 10.2746/042516408x313625Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper presents an evaluation of digital photography and image analysis as effective and accurate methods for measuring the foot conformation in horses. The study found excellent precision in measurements taken by different operators and from different origin images, as well as a high degree of accuracy when compared to traditional radiographs.
Methodology
- The research used a two-part method to assess the effectiveness of digital photography and image analysis. In the precision study, two veterinary surgeons took lateral photographs of horses’ feet twice.
- The photographs were then analyzed on two separate occasions by another two masked veterinary surgeons who were unaware of the image origin.
- Measurements were compared within and between operators for images captured by them and not captured by them to account for any variations.
- The accuracy study compared the measurements from these photographs to those obtained from lateromedial radiographs.
- Agreement indices (AIs) and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated for both the image analysis process alone and for the combined image acquisition and image analysis processes.
Results
- The precision study found that the mean intra- and interoperator AIs for the image analysis process alone were ≥ 0.90, indicating excellent agreement among different operators or between measurements by the same operator.
- This high level of agreement (≥ 0.89) was maintained for the combined image acquisition and image analysis processes, demonstrating excellent precision regardless of image origin.
- The accuracy study showed that the measurements from the photographs closely matched those from radiographs (AIs were ≥ 0.89), especially for measurements of heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle.
Conclusions
- Based on these results, the research concluded that digital photography and image analysis can be used reliably for measuring foot conformation in horses, showing excellent precision and accuracy.
- The study also suggests that these methods may be used interchangeably with radiography, providing a practical and effective alternative for clinical and research settings.
Cite This Article
APA
White JM, Mellor DJ, Duz M, Lischer CJ, Voute LC.
(2009).
Diagnostic accuracy of digital photography and image analysis for the measurement of foot conformation in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 40(7), 623-628.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408x313625 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Weipers Centre Equine for Equine Welfare, Division of Companion Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Foot Diseases / diagnosis
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Male
- Observer Variation
- Photography / methods
- Photography / standards
- Photography / veterinary
- Random Allocation
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Software
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Antonioli ML, Canola PA, de Carvalho JRG, Fonseca MG, Ferraz GC. Immediate Effect of Hoof Trimming on Hoof and Thoracic Joint Angles in Mangalarga Mares. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 2;13(15).
- Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ. Hoof Unevenness in Juvenile Quarter Horses During First 6 Months of Training. J Equine Vet Sci 2023 Jul;126:104494.
- Hobbs SJ, Curtis S, Martin J, Sinclair J, Clayton HM. Hoof Matters: Developing an Athletic Thoroughbred Hoof. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 11;12(22).
- Mostafa MB, Elemmawy YM. Relationships between morphometric measurements and musculoskeletal disorders in jumping Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2020 Jun;31(2):23-27.
- Deeming LE, Beausoleil NJ, Stafford KJ, Webster JR, Staincliffe M, Zobel G. The Development of a Hoof Conformation Assessment for Use in Dairy Goats. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 14;9(11).
- Leśniak K, Williams J, Kuznik K, Douglas P. Does a 4-6 Week Shoeing Interval Promote Optimal Foot Balance in the Working Equine?. Animals (Basel) 2017 Mar 29;7(4).
- Nauwelaerts S, Hobbs SJ, Back W. A horse's locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb. PLoS One 2017;12(2):e0167477.
- Schaus K, Wacker J, Jandowsky A, Büttner K, Röcken M, Bartmann CP. Radiographic Morphometric Measurements of the Donkey's Distal Hind Limb. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 25;15(1).
- Wacker J, Schaus K, Jandowsky A, Büttner K, Röcken M, Bartmann CP. Radiographic measurements of the hoof in generally sound donkeys with emphasis on the front limbs. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1505253.
- Phannithi T, Laikul A, Pathomsakulwong W, Rungsri P, Apichaimongkonkun T, Watchrarat K, Cherdchutham W. External Hoof Measurements of Untrimmed and Unshod Mules in Northern Thailand. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 16;14(8).
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