Evaluating the Effect of Routine Hoof Trimming on Fore and Hind Hooves Impact Phase Kinetics.
Abstract: Imbalances and altered kinetics of the hoof result in lameness in horses. Previously, studies have focused on the midstance phase of a gait, hence, available information on the impact phase is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hoof trimming on the fore and hindhooves at the impact phase of the walk. Our objective was to compare the kinetic variables of force (N), contact area (cm), contact pressure (kPa), and peak contact pressure (kPa) before and after hoof trimming. Nine Arabian horses were walked straight over a pressure plate to collect the above kinetic variables for both left and right fore and hindhooves. The impact phase was defined as the first contact of each hoof with the pressure plate, which was collected as the first frame of data. The signed rank test was used to determine the difference of each kinetic variable between pre and post trimming for each hoof. A statistical P-value <.05 was considered significant. Routine hoof trimming of the forehooves did not significantly change the hoof kinetic variables, except for an increase of 56% (P = .0391) for contact area (CA) after trimming of the right forehooves. For the left hindhooves, force increased by 35% (P = .019) and CA increased by 18% (P = .039) after trimming. The data revealed how hoof trimming may affect hoof kinetics at the impact phase of the walk for this group of horses and demonstrates the need for further research in other breeds and disciplines.
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2022-03-18 PubMed ID: 35307552DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103935Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examines the impact of routine hoof trimming on the fore and hindhooves of Arabian horses during the impact phase of walking. The research concentrates on certain kinetic variables to identify any changes before and after trimming. Results showed that the trimming marginally increased the contact area of the right forehooves and the force and contact area of the left hindhooves.
Methodology
- The study involved nine Arabian horses.
- The researchers utilized a pressure plate to capture data on four kinetic variables: force, contact area, contact pressure, and peak contact pressure.
- Both left and right forehooves and hindhooves were included in the assessment.
- Impact phase was defined as the moment each hoof first made contact with the pressure plate.
- The team assessed differences in kinetic variables between pre and post trimming using the signed rank test. They considered an outcome statistically significant if the P-value was less than .05.
Results & Interpretation
- The hoof trimming resulted in no significant changes in the kinetic variables, except for an increase of 56% for the contact area of the right forehooves post-trimming.
- For the left hindhooves, both the force and contact area increased post-trimming; by 35% and 18% respectively.
- The study highlights that hoof trimming could potentially impact hoof kinetics, particularly during the initial point of contact during a horse’s gait.
Research Implications & Future Direction
- The observed cause-effect relationship of hoof trimming on the kinetic variables also implies possible influence on the gait and overall health of horses.
- It indicates that hoof trimming, a commonly practiced routine in caring for horses, could have more implications than commonly understood.
- Even though firm conclusions from data are restricted to Arabian horses in this study, findings emphasize the need for further investigation with other horse breeds and disciplines for a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of hoof trimming.
Cite This Article
APA
Faramarzi B, Nelson S, Dong F.
(2022).
Evaluating the Effect of Routine Hoof Trimming on Fore and Hind Hooves Impact Phase Kinetics.
J Equine Vet Sci, 114, 103935.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103935 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 E. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766-1854. Electronic address: bfaramarzi@westernu.edu.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 E. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766-1854.
- Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Gait
- Hoof and Claw
- Horses
- Kinetics
- Walking
Citations
This article has been cited 1 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).
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