Foot placement of the equine forelimb: Relationship between foot conformation, foot placement and movement asymmetry.
Abstract: Hoof conformation, foot placement and movement asymmetry are routinely assessed as part of the lameness examination. However, to date, few studies have described these parameters, or the interplay between them, in the general horse population. Objective: To assess foot conformation and foot placement in the forelimbs of a group of general purpose horses and investigate the relationships between foot placement, foot conformation and movement asymmetry. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-three horses were included in the study. Measurements were taken from photographs of each forelimb to assess foot conformation. Video footage was recorded simultaneously from perpendicular cameras at both walk and trot and used to categorise foot placement. Inertial sensor data were used to assess head movement asymmetry in trot. Results: There was a high degree of variation in foot placement between and within horses, but a 'lateral heel' placement was most common in walk and a 'lateral' placement most common in trot. Foot placement was associated with dorsal and palmar hoof angles but there was no relationship between foot placement and the other conformation parameters, nor with movement asymmetry. Moderate negative correlations were found between several of the conformation parameters and movement asymmetry. Conclusions: A relationship exists between foot conformation and movement asymmetry with decreasing hoof width and hoof length related to increasing amount of movement asymmetry. In the population of horses studied here--deemed to be 'well functioning' by their owners/riders--foot placement was found to be independent of movement asymmetry and, to a large extent, independent of foot conformation.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-12-18 PubMed ID: 25523459DOI: 10.1111/evj.12378Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines the relationships between foot conformation, foot placement, and movement asymmetry in purpose horses. The results suggest a relationship between foot conformation and movement asymmetry but failed to establish a clear link between foot placement, movement asymmetry, and most of the conformation parameters.
Research Methodology
- This study is an observational cross-sectional study that focused on the forelimbs of 43 general purpose horses.
- Measurements were taken from photos to evaluate foot conformation. Simultaneously, videos from cameras at different orientations were taken for both walk and trot paces. These were used to help classify foot placement.
- Inertial sensor data was also used to determine head movement asymmetry during the horse’s trot.
Research Findings
- There was a high variation in foot placement among and within horses. The most common placement observed was the ‘lateral heel’ placement in a walk and a ‘lateral’ placement in a trot.
- Foot placement was aligned with the dorsal and palmar hoof angles. However, foot placement showed no direct relationship with other conformation parameters or movement asymmetry.
- Several conformation parameters demonstrated moderate negative correlations with movement asymmetry.
Conclusions
- The research suggests a relationship between foot conformation and movement asymmetry where a decreasing hoof width and hoof length were correlated with an increasing amount of movement asymmetry.
- Foot placement was found to be, in large measure, independent of movement asymmetry and foot conformation, especially in horses deemed ‘well functioning’ by their owners or riders.
In sum, this study brings new insights into understanding the biomechanics of horses, which could potentially help in improving the design of shoes and other equipment for horses, and inform the diagnosis and treatment of specific horse foot-related disorders or conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilson A, Agass R, Vaux S, Sherlock E, Day P, Pfau T, Weller R.
(2014).
Foot placement of the equine forelimb: Relationship between foot conformation, foot placement and movement asymmetry.
Equine Vet J, 48(1), 90-96.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12378 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Foot / anatomy & histology
- Foot / physiology
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Motor Activity / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 14 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).
- Gündemir O, Szara T, Pazvant G, Erdikmen DO, Duro S, Perez W. Radiogrametric Analysis of the Thoracic Limb Phalanges in Arabian Horses and Thoroughbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 26;11(8).
- Van Houtte J, Vandenberghe F, Zheng G, Huysmans T, Sijbers J. EquiSim: An Open-Source Articulatable Statistical Model of the Equine Distal Limb. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:623318.
- Tijssen M, Hernlund E, Rhodin M, Bosch S, Voskamp JP, Nielen M, Serra Braganςa FM. Automatic detection of break-over phase onset in horses using hoof-mounted inertial measurement unit sensors. PLoS One 2020;15(5):e0233649.
- Gorissen BMC, Serra Bragança FM, Wolschrijn CF, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of hoof balance and landing preference in the post-natal period. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):809-817.
- Paśko S, Dzierzęcka M, Purzyc H, Charuta A, Barszcz K, Bartyzel BJ, Komosa M. The Osteometry of Equine Third Phalanx by the Use of Three-Dimensional Scanning: New Measurement Possibilities. Scanning 2017;2017:1378947.
- 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).
- Bragança FM, Bosch S, Voskamp JP, Marin-Perianu M, Van der Zwaag BJ, Vernooij JCM, van Weeren PR, Back W. Validation of distal limb mounted inertial measurement unit sensors for stride detection in Warmblood horses at walk and trot. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):545-551.
- 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).
- Shaw KA, Brounts SH. The effect of heel elevation on the stiffness gradient index of the digital flexor tendons in the equine forelimb of clinically normal horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1610788.
- Haussler KK, le Jeune SS, MacKechnie-Guire R, Latif SN, Clayton HM. The Challenge of Defining Laterality in Horses: Is It Laterality or Just Asymmetry?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 21;15(3).
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- 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).
- Ripollés-Lobo M, Perdomo-González DI, Azor PJ, Valera M. Orthopedic Diseases in the Pura Raza Española Horse: The Prevalence and Genetic Parameters of Angular Hoof Deviations. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 10;13(22).
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