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Equine veterinary journal2023; 55(5); 765-776; doi: 10.1111/evj.13913

Effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses.

Abstract: Lameness, discipline, training intensity, environmental variability, and shoeing are all factors demonstrated to affect hoof loading and therefore act as adaptive stimuli to alter hoof morphology. Objective: To evaluate the effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness incidence and determine if specific hoof morphology measurements correlate with lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: American Quarter Horses (n = 42; 29 two-year-olds, 13 three-year-olds) entering training were monitored for hoof morphology and lameness over 6 months (months 0, 2, 4, and 6). Hoof measurements (palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel and foot width, wall height/angle) from radiographs and photographs were recorded. Lameness was graded subjectively and objectively (Lameness locator®). Statistical analyses were performed with Fisher's exact test and repeated measures ANOVA with p < 0.05. Results: 25/42 horses developed subclinical lameness (16/42 forelimb, 19/42 hindlimb), with 3-year-olds developing lameness more frequently compared to 2-year-olds overall (p = 0.04; 84.6 vs. 48.3%) and in forelimbs (p = 0.05; 61.5% vs. 27.6%); no difference was noted between 2- versus 3-year-olds in hindlimbs (p = 0.2; 61.5% vs. 37.9%). In lame versus sound forelimbs, 3-year-olds had decreased foot width (p = 0.03; 11.48 cm [CI 10.68-12.28] vs. 12.21 cm [CI 11.99-12.42]), decreased toe length (p = 0.03; 6.02 cm [CI 5.69-6.36] vs. 6.45 cm [CI 6.32-6.58]), shorter lateral wall height (p = 0.03; 4.64 cm [CI 4.31-4.96] vs. 5.11 cm [CI 5.03-5.2]), and shorter medial wall height (p = 0.02; 4.58 cm [CI 4.06-5.10] vs. 5.15 cm [CI 4.99-5.30]). In lame versus sound hindlimbs, horses overall (p = 0.05; 3.74, CI 3.53-3.96 vs. 3.55, CI 3.48-3.61) and 3-year-olds had longer heels p = 0.01; 3.90 cm (CI 3.5-4.3) vs. 3.50 cm (CI 3.39-3.61). Conclusions: Small sample size, lack of control group not entering training. Conclusions: Three-year-old American Quarter Horses entering training were more likely to develop forelimb lameness than 2-year-olds. This subclinical lameness was associated with specific hoof morphology characteristics (decreased foot width, toe length, heel length, and lateral/medial wall height; greater toe angle). Unassigned: Les boiterie, discipline, intensité d'entraînement, variabilité environnementale et ferrage ont tous été établis comme facteurs affectant le port de poids au niveau du sabot. Ils contribuent aux stimuli adaptatifs qui peuvent altérer la morphologie du sabot. Objective: Évaluer l'effet de l'âge en début d'entraînement sur la morphologie du sabot, l'incidence de boiterie et déterminer si des mesures spécifiques de morphologie du sabot pourraient être corrélées avec une boiterie chez les chevaux Quarter Horse Américains. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Étude de cohorte prospective. MÉTHODES: Des Quarter Horse Américains (n = 42; 29 2 ans, 13 3 ans) en début d'entraînement ont été suivi pour la présence de boiterie et la conformation de leur sabot sur une période de 6 mois (mois 0, 2, 4, 6). Des mesures de sabot (angles palmaires/plantaires, largeur/longueur de la base de la fourchette, longueur/angle de la pince, longueur/angle des talons, largeur du pied et des talons, hauteur/angle de la muraille) à partir de radiographies et de photographies ont été recueillies. Les boiteries ont été gradées subjectivement et objectivement (Lameness locator®). Des analyses statistiques ont été effectuées avec la méthode exacte de Fisher et ANOVA pour mesures répétées avec un p < 0.05. RÉSULTATS: 25/42 chevaux ont développé une boiterie sous-clinique (16/42 membre antérieur, 19/42 membre postérieur). Les chevaux âgés de 3 ans ont développé une boiterie de façon plus fréquente comparativement aux 2 ans (p = 0.04; 84.6 vs. 48.3%) et aux membres antérieurs (p = 0.05; 61.5% vs. 27.6%); il n'y avait pas de différence au niveau des membres postérieurs entre les 2 et 3 ans. En comparant les chevaux boiteux des antérieurs avec ceux qui ne boitaient pas, les 3 ans avaient une largeur de sabot diminuée (p = 0.03; 11.48 cm [IC 10.68-12.28] vs. 12.21 cm [IC 11.99-12.42]), une longueur de pince plus courte (p = 0.03; 6.02 cm [IC 5.69-6.36] vs. 6.45 cm [IC 6.32-6.58]), une hauteur de muraille latérale plus courte (p = 0.032; 4.64 cm [IC 4.31-4.96] vs. 5.11 cm [IC 5.03-5.2]) et une hauteur de muraille médiale plus courte également (p = 0.024; 4.58 cm [IC 4.06-5.10] vs. 5.15 cm [IC 4.99-5.30]). En comparant les chevaux boiteux des postérieurs avec ceux qui ne boitaient pas, chevaux dans l'ensemble (p = 0.05; 3.74, CI 3.53-3.96 vs. 3.55, CI 3.48-3.61) et les 3 ans avaient des talons plus long (p = 0.01; 3.90 cm [IC 3.5-4.3] vs. 3.50 cm [IC 3.39-3.61]). Unassigned: Petite taille d'échantillon, aucun groupe contrôle n'ayant pas commencé l'entraînement. Conclusions: Les Quarter Horse Américains âgés de 3 ans qui débutent l'entraînement sont plus à risque de développer une boiterie des antérieurs comparativement aux chevaux de 2 ans. Une boiterie sous-clinique était associée à des caractéristiques morphologiques spécifiques au sabot (Largeur du sabot, longueur de la pince, longueur des talons et hauteur des murailles latérales et médiales toutes diminuées; angle de la pince augmenté).
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Publication Date: 2023-01-09 PubMed ID: 36572927PubMed Central: PMC10291006DOI: 10.1111/evj.13913Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research studied the impact of a horse’s age when training begins on the hoof structure, and the incidence of lameness in American Quarter Horses. The findings suggest that there is an association between the age a horse begins training and changes in hoof shape, with horses aged three more likely to develop lameness and display specific changes in hoof structure than two-year-olds.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The aim of the study was to examine the connection between the age of training commencement and incidence of lameness and hoof morphology changes in juvenile American Quarter Horses. In essence, the study sought to find out if the age at which a horse starts training would have an impact on hoof shape and the development of lameness.
  • The study involved a prospective cohort of 42 American Quarter Horses, comprising 29 two-year-olds and 13 three-year-olds, which were monitored for hoof morphology changes and lameness occurrences over a period of six months.
  • Subjective and objective grading of lameness was performed alongside measurements of various hoof properties using radiographs and photographs. Statistical analyses of the results were done using Fisher’s exact test and repeated measures ANOVA.

Study Findings

  • The findings revealed that out of the 42 horses, 25 developed subclinical lameness. Among these, three-year-olds developed lameness more frequently compared to two-year-olds, particularly in the forelimbs.
  • Comparative hoof measurements for lame and sound forelimbs showed decreased foot width, toe length, lateral wall height, and medial wall height for three-year-olds.
  • For horses with limp hindlimbs, the study found increased heel length in both the overall horse population and specifically in three-year-olds when compared to those without lameness.

Conclusion

  • Despite the limitations of a small sample size and absence of a control group, the study concluded that three-year-old American Quarter Horses that start training are more prone to developing forelimb lameness than two-year-olds are.
  • This subclinical lameness observed in three-year-old horses was linked with distinct hoof morphology characteristics such as decreased foot width, toe length, heel length, and lateral/medial wall height; as well as a greater toe angle.

Cite This Article

APA
Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass LD, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ. (2023). Effect of age at training initiation on hoof morphology and lameness in juvenile American Quarter Horses. Equine Vet J, 55(5), 765-776. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13913

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 5
Pages: 765-776

Researcher Affiliations

Kawahisa-Piquini, Gabriella
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Bass, Luke D
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Pezzanite, Lynn M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Moorman, Valerie J
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Prospective Studies
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Movement Disorders / veterinary
  • Forelimb
  • Horse Diseases

Grant Funding

  • TL1 TR002533 / NCATS NIH HHS
  • T32 OD010437 / NIH HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors’ declarations of interest. The authors declare no other competing interests related to this report.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. 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.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104494pubmed: 37075868google scholar: lookup
  2. Watson WL, MacKay JRD, Dwyer CM. Healthy as a Horse? Characterising the UK and Ireland's Horse Owners, Their Horses, and Owner-Reported Health and Behavioural Issues. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 31;15(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15030397pubmed: 39943167google scholar: lookup
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