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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(8); doi: 10.3390/ani14081197

External Hoof Measurements of Untrimmed and Unshod Mules in Northern Thailand.

Abstract: External hoof characteristics, balance, and conformation have been extensively studied in horses; however, mules remain understudied in these aspects. This study evaluated the size, shape, and symmetry of untrimmed and unshod forelimb hooves, compared the symmetry between forelimb hooves and stratified external forelimb hoof measurements based on the body condition score of mules raised in the foothill plains of northern Thailand. The forelimb hooves of 38 mules were photographed and 33 parameters, including angular and linear measurements, were analyzed. A multivariate analysis was used to explore the influence of sex, age, and body condition scores (BCS) on angular, linear, and area parameters. Additionally, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test was used to compare these parameters across different BCS groups. Despite the absence of shoeing and trimming, these mules exhibited optimal left-right forelimb hoof symmetry, with no significant (p < 0.05) differences in: outer wall length and inner wall length (OWL-IWL: Left 0.11 ± 0.66 cm; Right -0.12 ± 0.43 cm); sole length and sole width (SLS-SW: Left 1.65 ± 0.76 cm; Right 1.46 ± 0.89 cm); dorsal hoof wall length and heel length (DHWL-HL: Left 4.00 ± 0.80 cm; Right 3.81 ± 0.72 cm); and frog length and frog width (FL-FW: Left 3.88 ± 1.13 cm; Right 3.82 ± 0.18 cm). However, significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed within each body condition score group for forelimb hoof measurements for DHWL, IWL, heel separation (HS), heel bulb distance (HBD), SW, FW, and FL, while sex and age had no significant differences across the study variables. These findings provide valuable insights into mule welfare and management, contributing to understanding of the interplay between overall health and hoof conformation in the study area.
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Publication Date: 2024-04-16 PubMed ID: 38672345PubMed Central: PMC11047516DOI: 10.3390/ani14081197Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study examines the external hoof characteristics of untrimmed and unshod, or unshoed, mules in northern Thailand, analyzing their size, shape, and symmetry, as well as how these variables are influenced by factors such as sex, age, and body condition scores. Despite the absence of shoeing and trimming, the mules maintained an optimal level of symmetry in their forelimb hooves, although there were significant differences observed in forelimb hoof measurements within individual body condition score groups.

Overview of the Research

In this research, the authors study the external features of the hooves of mules living in Northern Thailand. These mules are neither shod nor have their hooves trimmed. Various measurements were taken, such as the size, shape, and symmetry of their forelimb hooves. The data was then analyzed according to a mule’s sex, age, and body condition score (BCS).

  • The research involved 38 mules and their forelimb hooves were photographed.
  • 33 different parameters were measured and analyzed. These included both angular and linear measurements.
  • A multivariate analysis was performed to understand the influence of variables such as sex, age, and body condition scores on the hoof measurements.

Key Findings

The mules showed an optimal level of symmetry in their forelimb hooves despite the absence of shoeing and trimming.

  • There were no significant left-right differences in several measurements including the outer wall length and inner wall length, sole length and sole width, dorsal hoof wall length and heel length, and frog length and frog width.
  • Within each body condition score group, there were significant differences for forelimb hoof measurements for parameters such as dorsal hoof wall length, inner wall length, heel separation, heel bulb distance, sole width, frog width, and frog length.
  • However, the factors like sex and age did not show any significant differences across the study variables.

Implications of the Research

The findings from this research provide valuable information for the welfare and management of mules. It adds to the existing knowledge by providing insights on mules, which are typically understudied, especially in northern Thailand. By understanding the interplay between the mules’ overall health and hoof conformation, better strategies can be developed to care for these animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Phannithi T, Laikul A, Pathomsakulwong W, Rungsri P, Apichaimongkonkun T, Watchrarat K, Cherdchutham W. (2024). External Hoof Measurements of Untrimmed and Unshod Mules in Northern Thailand. Animals (Basel), 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081197

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Phannithi, Thawijit
  • Veterinary Clinical Studies Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Laikul, Aree
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Pathomsakulwong, Watcharapol
  • Equine Clinic, Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Sean, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Rungsri, Porrakote
  • Equine Clinic, Department of Companion Animal and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
Apichaimongkonkun, Tawanhathai
  • Equine Clinic, Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Sean, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
Watchrarat, Krisana
  • Veterinarian of Royal Stable Unit, The Royal Thai Army, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Cherdchutham, Worakij
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.

Grant Funding

  • 65/01 / Faculty of veterinary medicine, Kasetsart University
  • 64_05 / Faculty of veterinary medicine, Kasetsart University
  • VET.KU2023-ทวพ.13 / Faculty of veterinary medicine, Kasetsart University

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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