Effect of shoeing conditions on hoof dimensions in Icelandic and Warmblood horses.
Abstract: In Icelandic horses (ICE), high, long hooves with added weights are often used to improve gait quality in competitions. From a biomechanical point of view, excessively long hooves can be problematic as they increase forces acting on the distal limb. The study aimed to determine if hoof capsule size and angle of ICE at competitions are comparable to those of Warmblood horses (WB) requiring shoeing. Hoof dimensions and balance were quantified in 13 horses of each breed at the beginning of a shoeing period (BSP), allowing a baseline comparison between breeds, as well as for WB at the end of a shoeing period (ESP) and for ICE when shod for competition (COMP). Left front and hind hoof capsules and bony structures of the hooves were measured on lateromedial and dorsopalmar/dorsoplantar radiographs at BSP (ICE, WB), ESP (WB) and COMP (ICE), respectively, using the software Metron-Hoof-Pro. Compared to WBBSP, ICEBSP had larger hoof capsules relative to the size of P3 and, when controlled for withers height, longer dorsal hoof wall lengths. The comparison of ICECOMP to WBESP indicated that the relative increase in hoof length and volume was greater in ICECOMP compared to WBESP. Hoof balance was closer to previously published values in WBs, while hoof angles in ICE (particularly palmar/plantar angle of P3) were generally larger and thus less problematic. In conclusion, hooves of ICECOMP were relatively larger and less balanced than WBESP, but hoof angles in WB were smaller than in ICE.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-05-12 PubMed ID: 32553238DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105461Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the effect of shoeing conditions on the dimensions of hooves in Icelandic and Warmblood horses. The study finds that when Icelandic horses are shod for competition, their hooves are relatively larger and less balanced than those of Warmblood horses, but their hoof angles are larger and thus less likely to cause issues.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary aim of the study is to establish if the hoof capsule size and angle of Icelandic horses at competitions are comparable to those of Warmblood horses that require shoeing.
- The researchers studied hoof dimensions and balance in 13 horses of each breed at the start of a shoeing period, which served as a baseline comparison between the breeds.
- In addition, they examined Warmblood horses at the end of a shoeing period and Icelandic horses when they are shod for competition.
- They made measurements using lateromedial and dorsopalmar/dorsoplantar radiographs on front and hind hoof capsules and bony structures of the hooves.
- The software Metron-Hoof-Pro was used for measurements.
Findings
- The findings showed that compared to Warmblood horses, Icelandic horses had larger hoof capsules relative to the size of P3 (a bone in the hoof).
- The length of the dorsal hoof wall in Icelandic horses was longer when controlled for withers height (the ridge between the shoulder blades of a horse).
- The relative increase in hoof length and volume was greater in Icelandic horses as compared to Warmblood horses.
- Hoof balance was found to be closer to previously published values in Warmblood horses. However, the hoof angles in Icelandic horses, particularly the palmar/plantar angle of P3, were generally larger and therefore less problematic.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that the hooves of Icelandic horses, when shod for competition, were relatively larger and less balanced than those of Warmblood horses.
- However, the hoof angles in Warmblood horses were smaller than in Icelandic horses, which means that the Icelandic horses had lesser chances of facing hoof-related issues.
Cite This Article
APA
Waldern NM, Kubli V, Dittmann MT, Amport C, Krieg C, Weishaupt MA.
(2020).
Effect of shoeing conditions on hoof dimensions in Icelandic and Warmblood horses.
Vet J, 259-260, 105461.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105461 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: nwaldern@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Islandpferde Wallenschwil, Wallenschwil 2, CH-5637 Beinwil (Freiamt), Switzerland.
- AM Suisse, Chräjeninsel 2, CH-3270 Aarberg, Switzerland.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test
- Female
- Forelimb
- Gait
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Pedigree
- Shoes
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