Effects of aluminum hinged shoes on the structure of contracted feet in Thoroughbred yearlings.
Abstract: We applied aluminum hinged shoes (AHSs) to the club foot-associated contracted feet of 11 Thoroughbred yearlings to examine the effects of the shoes on the shape of the hoof and third phalanx (P III). After 3 months of AHS use, the size of the affected hooves increased significantly, reaching the approximate size of the healthy contralateral hooves with respect to the maximum lateral width of the foot, the mean ratio of the bearing border width to the coronary band width, and the mean ratio of the solar surface width to the articular surface width. These results suggest that the AHSs corrected the contracted feet in these yearling horses.
Publication Date: 2015-07-02 PubMed ID: 26170763PubMed Central: PMC4496424DOI: 10.1294/jes.26.67Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigated the effects of aluminum hinged shoes on the structure of contracted feet in young thoroughbred horses, concluding that the shoes led to significant improvement in the size and shape of the affected hooves over a period of three months.
Introduction and Goals
- The study focused on understanding how aluminum hinged shoes (AHSs) impact the structure of contracted feet of Thoroughbred yearlings – specifically feet affected by club foot, a common hooves deformity in horses.
- The primary goal was to observe the change in hooves shape and the third phalanx (P III – the last bone in the leg of the horse that connects to the hoof) structure after the application of AHSs.
Methodology
- AHSs were applied to 11 Thoroughbred yearlings, all with club foot-associated contracted feet.
- The dimensions of affected hooves were measured before and after a period of 3 months using the AHSs.
- The parameters measured included the maximum lateral width of the foot, the ratio of the bearing (weight-bearing surface of the hoof) border width to the coronary band (the band around the top of the hoof where the hoof wall grows) width, and the ratio of the solar (bottom) surface width to articular (joint) surface width.
Results
- After 3 months of wearing AHSs, a significant increase was observed in the size of the affected hooves.
- The size of the affected hooves reached almost the same size as the healthy contralateral (opposite side) hooves according to the parameters measured.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that the application of AHSs has a correcting effect on the contracted feet of the yearling horses.
- These findings suggest a viable treatment option for club foot and other hoof contraction-related disorders in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Tanaka K, Hiraga A, Takahashi T, Kuwano A, Morrison SE.
(2015).
Effects of aluminum hinged shoes on the structure of contracted feet in Thoroughbred yearlings.
J Equine Sci, 26(2), 67-71.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.26.67 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Center for Equine Breeding Technology, Japan Bloodhorse Breeder's Association, Shizunai Stallion Station, Hokkaido 056-0144, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- Sport Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
- Clinical Science & Pathobiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
- Podiatry Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40580, U.S.A.
References
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