Effects of barefoot trimming on hoof morphology.

This research article explores the changes in hoof shape of horses as a result of barefoot trimming. It indicates that maintaining a barefoot trim on horses can lead to increases in support length, heel angle, and solar angle which could aid in treating under-run heels and negative solar plane angulation.

Methodology

• The study involves seven horses, which were exposed to barefoot trimming every six weeks. The trimming technique applied involved leveling the hoof to the live sole, lowering the heels, beveling the toe, and rounding the peripheral wall. The sole, frog, and bars were left intact.
• The researchers allowed a 4-month period for the horses heels to lower sufficiently to give a shape that characterizes barefoot trim.
• The 4-month period was considered the starting point for morphological changes in response to the maintenance of the trim.
• The changes in hoof shape were measured by utilizing photographs and lateromedial radiographs, taken at 0, 4, and 16 months. Changes witnessed between 0 to 4 months represented differences between a natural hoof shape and the trim, while changes from 4 to 16 months signified adaptive effects during the hoof growth.

Results

• The application of the barefoot trim demonstrated a significant shortening of the horses’ toe, heel, and the medial and lateral walls. Meanwhile, the angulation at the toe, medial, and lateral walls increased, however, this was not the case at the heel.
• Maintaining the trim resulted in a shift in the heel position and triggered increases in support length, heel angle, and solar angle of the distal phalanx (P3).
• The act of beveling the toe and engaging the frog and bars which function in weight-bearing of the foot led to an increase in the heel angle and solar angle of P3.

Conclusions

• The study suggests that the changes triggered by barefoot trimming were possibly beneficial for treating conditions such as under-run heels and negative solar plane angulation of P3.