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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(22); 3119; doi: 10.3390/ani12223119

Hoof Matters: Developing an Athletic Thoroughbred Hoof.

Abstract: Conformation of the hooves and distal limbs of foals and factors influencing their morphological development have not been reported in detail for the Thoroughbred breed. In this paper we explore morphogenesis of the equine distal limb in Thoroughbred foals with emphasis on adaptations in response to weight bearing early in life that prepare the foal for an athletic career. Novel data from four studies are presented chronologically during key time periods to illustrate specific aspects of distal limb growth and adaptation. Dorsal epidermal thickness increased from 2.84 ± 0.41 mm in utero to 4.04 ± 1.10 mm by 4 months of age. The increase in thickness was accompanied by decreased tubular density, increased inter-tubular material, and an increase in number and size of tubules at the quarters, which provided a malleable hoof capsule to allow for skeletal growth. Between 4−6 months of age, the hoof widens, and higher loading on the medial side (>60%) vs. the lateral side (<40%) may be factors that influence mature asymmetric hoof shape. Shortly after 12 months-of-age, the dorsal hoof wall angle and dorsal parietal angle of the distal phalanx become parallel, thus optimizing the functional capacity of the hoof capsule in the weanling Thoroughbred.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-11 PubMed ID: 36428348PubMed Central: PMC9686713DOI: 10.3390/ani12223119Google 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 research article investigates the specific growth and changes in a Thoroughbred foal’s hoof and distal limb (lower part of the leg) from in utero, or in the womb, up to 12 months of age. The focus is on how these parts adapt to weight bearing and preparation for an athletic life.

Research Context

  • The development of a Thoroughbred foal’s hooves is crucial for their future potential as a racing horse. However, there hasn’t been much detailed focus on these developmental stages, especially, the hooves and lower limbs’ transformation in response to early weight bearing.
  • This research fills that gap by continually examining the growth and changes in these parts of a Thoroughbred foal from its time in the womb up to 12 months of age.

Research Findings

  • From in utero to four months old, there is a significant increase in the dorsal epidermal height (the upper part of the hoof). Its thickness increases from approximately 2.84mm to 4.04mm.
  • Accompanying this enlargement is a reduction in tubular density and an increase in inter-tubular material, as well as more numerous and sizable tubules at the quarters – the sides of the wolf. These changes provide a flexible hoof capsule to support skeletal growth.
  • Between the ages of four to six months, the hoof width increases, tending to have more weight on the medial side (inner or middle side) than on the lateral side (outer side). This uneven weight distribution may influence the final asymmetric shape of an adult Thoroughbred’s hoof.
  • At 12 months old, the foal’s dorsal hoof wall and the dorsal parietal angle of the distal phalanx (the bone within the hoof) become parallel to each other. This alignment may be optimizing the functional capacity of the hoof capsule in a Thoroughbred weanling, or young horse.

Usefulness of this Research

  • These findings offer unprecedented insights into the crucial stages in a Thoroughbred foal’s hoof and lower limb development.
  • Understanding the proven morphological adaptations could potentially improve the methodologies in horse-breeding – leading to more robust and athletic Thoroughbreds.
  • This research could pave the way for further studies on optimizing hoof development in Thoroughbred foals, and possibly in other similarly athletic breeds.

Cite This Article

APA
Hobbs SJ, Curtis S, Martin J, Sinclair J, Clayton HM. (2022). Hoof Matters: Developing an Athletic Thoroughbred Hoof. Animals (Basel), 12(22), 3119. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223119

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 22
PII: 3119

Researcher Affiliations

Hobbs, Sarah Jane
  • Research Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
Curtis, Simon
  • Church Cottage, 59 The Street, Newmarket IP28 6PL, UK.
Martin, Jaime
  • School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK.
Sinclair, Jonathan
  • Research Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
Clayton, Hilary M
  • Sport Horse Science, LLC, Mason, MI 48854, USA.

Grant Funding

  • None / World Horse Welfare

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15030288pubmed: 39943060google scholar: lookup
  2. Mata F, Franca I, Araújo J, Paixão G, Lesniak K, Cerqueira JL. Investigating Associations between Horse Hoof Conformation and Presence of Lameness. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 17;14(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14182697pubmed: 39335286google scholar: lookup
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