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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2010; 190(3); 364-371; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.11.015

External characteristics of the lateral aspect of the hoof differ between non-lame and lame horses.

Abstract: During a pre-purchase examination (PPE) there is always a debate about how clinical findings of the hoof different from ideal should be interpreted in relation to future lameness risk and/or unsuitability of the horse for the potential purchaser. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare external angular measurements, linear ratios and hoof capsule characteristics of non-lame and lame feet. Photographs of feet from 300 horses with foot pain and 25 non-lame horses were analysed. Hoof wall, heel and coronary band angles and hoof wall length and height, weight-bearing length, coronary band length and height of the coronary band at dorsal and palmar locations were measured and expressed as linear ratios. Mean hoof wall, heel and coronary band angles were larger in lame compared with non-lame feet; only the ratio of dorsal to palmar coronary band heights and the shape of the coronary band were significantly different between lame and non-lame horses. Growth rings were divergent and horn tubules were non-parallel in lameness of >3 months. At a PPE, a larger ratio of dorsal to palmar coronary band heights in one limb may be indicative of previous lameness in that foot. Changes in coronary band shape and divergent growth rings and horn tubules would suggest a longer duration.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-12-18 PubMed ID: 21169041DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.11.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses how the external features of a horse’s hoof, including various angular measurements and linear ratios, differ in sound and lame horses. This understanding could help predict future lameness risks and decide the suitability of a horse during a pre-purchase examination.

Overall Objective

  • The main objective of the study was to analyze and compare different external factors and ratios of the lateral aspect of a horse’s hoof between sound and lame horses. The data for the study was gathered from a total of 325 horses, including 300 lame horses and 25 sound horses.

Methodology of the Study

  • The researchers took photographs of the feet of the aforementioned horses for close scrutiny and analysis.
  • They specifically measured and calculated the hoof wall, heel, and coronary band angles, hoof wall length and height, length of the area bearing weight, the length, and height of the coronary band at the dorsal and palmar locations.
  • The recorded data was then turned into linear ratios to create a more simplified and comparable metric.

Findings of the Study

  • The researchers found that mean hoof wall, heel, and coronary band angles were larger in lame horses as compared to sound ones.
  • A significant difference was found between the ratio of dorsal to palmar coronary band heights and the shape of the coronary band in sound and lame horses.
  • Further, it was noticed that in cases of lameness which lasted for more than 3 months, the growth rings were divergent and the horn tubules were not parallel.

Implications of the Study

  • During a pre-purchase examination, if a larger ratio of dorsal to palmar coronary band heights is noticed in a horse’s limb, it may indicate previous lameness in that foot.
  • The changes observed in the shape of the coronary band and the divergence in growth rings and horn tubules point towards likely lameness in the horse for a more extended period.

Cite This Article

APA
Dyson SJ, Tranquille CA, Collins SN, Parkin TD, Murray RC. (2010). External characteristics of the lateral aspect of the hoof differ between non-lame and lame horses. Vet J, 190(3), 364-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.11.015

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 190
Issue: 3
Pages: 364-371

Researcher Affiliations

Dyson, Sue J
  • Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK. sue.dyson@aht.org.uk
Tranquille, Carolyne A
    Collins, Simon N
      Parkin, Tim D H
        Murray, Rachel C

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Foot Diseases / pathology
          • Foot Diseases / veterinary
          • Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
          • Hoof and Claw / pathology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Lameness, Animal / pathology
          • Medical Illustration
          • Pain / veterinary
          • Photography / veterinary
          • Physical Examination / methods
          • Physical Examination / veterinary
          • Risk Assessment

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
          1. Stachurska A, Wnuk E, Łuszczyński J, Donderowicz W. Preliminary Biometric Study on Symmetry of Hoof Solear Aspect in Forelimbs in Four Horse Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 21;15(23).
            doi: 10.3390/ani15233369pubmed: 41375428google scholar: lookup
          2. Seery S, Gardiner J, Bates KT, Pinchbeck G, Clegg P, Ireland JL, Milner PI. Changes in pressure distribution of the solar surface after a single trimming event are associated with external hoof measurements in the equine fore foot. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1255-1264.
            doi: 10.1111/evj.14463pubmed: 39785669google scholar: lookup
          3. Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D. Distal sagittal forelimb conformation in young Walloon horses: Radiographic assessment and its relationship with osteochondral fragments. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311965.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311965pubmed: 39392827google scholar: lookup
          4. Phannithi T, Laikul A, Pathomsakulwong W, Rungsri P, Apichaimongkonkun T, Watchrarat K, Cherdchutham W. External Hoof Measurements of Untrimmed and Unshod Mules in Northern Thailand. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 16;14(8).
            doi: 10.3390/ani14081197pubmed: 38672345google scholar: lookup
          5. Dahl VE, Singer ER, Garcia TC, Hawkins DA, Stover SM. Hoof Expansion, Deformation, and Surface Strains Vary with Horseshoe Nail Positions. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 4;13(11).
            doi: 10.3390/ani13111872pubmed: 37889766google scholar: lookup
          6. Sharp Y, Tabor G. An Investigation into the Effects of Changing Dorso-Plantar Hoof Balance on Equine Hind Limb Posture. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;12(23).
            doi: 10.3390/ani12233275pubmed: 36496795google scholar: lookup
          7. Dadone L, Foxworth S, Aruho R, Schilz A, Joyet A, Barrett M, Morkel P, Crooks G, Fennessy J, Johnston MS. Foot shape and radiographs of free-ranging Nubian giraffe in Uganda. PLoS One 2021;16(12):e0252929.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252929pubmed: 34914724google scholar: lookup
          8. Mostafa MB, Abdelgalil AI, Farhat SF, Raw Z, Kubasiewicz LM. Morphometric measurements of the feet of working donkeys Equus asinus in Egypt. J Equine Sci 2020 Jun;31(2):17-22.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.31.17pubmed: 32617071google scholar: lookup
          9. Malone SR, Davies HMS. Changes in Hoof Shape During a Seven-Week Period When Horses Were Shod Versus Barefoot. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 22;9(12).
            doi: 10.3390/ani9121017pubmed: 31766684google scholar: lookup
          10. Deeming LE, Beausoleil NJ, Stafford KJ, Webster JR, Staincliffe M, Zobel G. The Development of a Hoof Conformation Assessment for Use in Dairy Goats. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 14;9(11).
            doi: 10.3390/ani9110973pubmed: 31739587google scholar: lookup
          11. Leśniak K, Williams J, Kuznik K, Douglas P. Does a 4-6 Week Shoeing Interval Promote Optimal Foot Balance in the Working Equine?. Animals (Basel) 2017 Mar 29;7(4).
            doi: 10.3390/ani7040029pubmed: 28353665google scholar: lookup
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