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Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(3); 435-445; doi: 10.1111/evj.13861

Hoof morphometry in a population of lame and nonlame working donkeys in Pakistan.

Abstract: Hoof morphometry, conformation and shoeing practices have all been associated with lameness in horses. Hoof morphometry in working donkeys in Pakistan has not been objectively measured. Objective: To quantitatively assess hoof morphology in donkeys, to identify factors underlying hoof morphology, and interrelationships between conformation, lameness, and shoeing status. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Donkeys were assessed in-harness using a modified five-point lameness scale by two veterinarians and digital photographs of front hooves taken alongside a grid. Factor analysis was used to examine the interrelationships among morphometric data. Associations between conformation, shoeing, age and lameness were assessed. Results: Sixty-one donkeys were examined; 28 were unshod. There were significant left-right hoof asymmetries between heel height (0.27, SD 0.92 cm; p = 0.02), toe-heel angle (2.97°, SD 8.85°; p = 0.03) and medio-lateral symmetry (0.5, SD 1.75 cm; p = 0.05). Ten percent of donkeys (n = 6) were sound and 64% donkeys (n = 39) were consistently lame. Conformational defects were seen in 41% (n = 25) of donkeys. Eleven factors were extracted, accounting for 83% of the variance encountered in the original variables. Shoeing, and asymmetry between or within feet were not associated with lameness in donkeys; older donkeys were more likely to be lame (p = 0.02). Conclusions: As a convenience sample of draught donkeys, most of which were lame, the study may not reflect nonpathological hoof morphology in working donkeys. There are no validated objective lameness measures for donkeys and donkeys were in harness when assessed. Conclusions: This study represents a snapshot of hoof morphology and lameness in a single population and under various limitations. Further work should use larger datasets and more homogenous samples to discriminate between 'normal' and 'abnormal' feet and how these might contribute to lameness. Factor analysis highlighted the clustering of hoof morphometric features in donkeys, suggesting the potential for targeted studies in the future. Unassigned: Die Hufmorphometrie, der Körperbau und der Hufbeschlag wurden mit Lahmheiten bei Pferden in Verbindung gebracht. Die Hurmorphometrie bei Arbeitseseln in Pakistan wurde bisher nicht objektiv gemessen. Unassigned: Quantitative Bewertung der Hufmorphologie bei Eseln, Identifizierung der Faktoren, die der Hufmorphologie zugrunde liegen und Zusammenhänge zwischen Körperbau, Lahmheit und Beschlagszustand. Methods: Querschnittsstudie. Methods: Die Esel wurden mit Hilfe eines Geschirrs und anhand einer modifizierten fünfstufigen Lahmheitsskala beurteilt. Digitale Photos der Vorderhufe, die entlang eines Rasters aufgenommen wurden, wurden evaluiert. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen den morphometrischen Daten wurden mit Hilfe einer Faktorenanalyse untersucht. Es wurden Zusammenhänge zwischen Körperbau, Hufbeschlag, Alter und Lahmheit untersucht. Results: Einundsechzig Esel wurden untersucht, 28 waren unbeschlagen. Es zeigten sich signifikante Links-Recht-Asymmetrien zwischen der Trachtenhöhe (0.27 (Standardabweichung (SD)) 0.92 cm; p = 0.02), Zehen-Trachten-Winkel (2.97° SD 8.85°; p = 0.03) und medio-laterale Symmetrie (0.5, SD 1.75 cm; p = 0.05). Zehn Prozent der Esel (n = 6) waren gesund und 64% der Esel (n = 39) waren lahm. Konformations-Fehlstellungen wurden bei 41% (n = 25) der Esel festgestellt. Es wurden elf Faktoren extrahiert, die 83% der in den ursprünglichen Variablen festgestellten Varianz ausmachten. Page 37 of 37 Equine Veterinary Journal For Review Only Beschlag und Asymmetrie zwischen oder innerhalb der Hufe war bei Eseln nicht mit Lahmheit assoziiert. Ältere Esel lahmten eher (p = 0.02). WICHTIGSTE EINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Da es sich um eine Zufallsstichprobe von Arbeitseseln handelte, von denen die meisten lahmten, spiegelt die Studie möglicherweise nicht die physiologische Hufmorphologie bei Arbeitseseln wider. Es gibt keine validierten objektiven Lahmheitsmessungen für Esel. Die Esel trugen während der Untersuchung das Geschirr. Unassigned: Diese Studie stellt eine Momentaufnahme der Hufmorphologie und Lahmheit in einer Population und unter verschiedenen Einschränkungen dar. In weiteren Arbeiten sollten grössere Datensätze und homogenere Proben verwendet werden, um zwischen „normalen“ und „abnormalen“ Hufen zu unterscheiden und um zu klären, wie diese zu Lahmheiten beitragen können. Die Faktorenanalyse hat die Häufung von morphometrischen Merkmalen bei Eseln aufgezeigt, was auf das Potenzial für gezielte Studien in der Zukunft hindeutet.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-09 PubMed ID: 35837758DOI: 10.1111/evj.13861Google 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.

This study investigated the hoof morphology of working donkeys in Pakistan, aiming to outline any links between hoof shape, lameness, and shoeing practices. The research revealed that older donkeys were more likely to be lame, but shoeing and hoof asymmetry were not decisive factors in lameness. The results provide information which could lead to targeted studies in the future to further investigate these factors.

Understanding the Study

The study used a cross-sectional approach and gathered its data from the assessment of working donkeys in Pakistan. The assessment process involved:

  • Using a modified five-point scale to determine any lameness by two veterinarians
  • Taking digital photographs of the front hooves to be able to closely study the morphometrics and symmetry

The researchers observed a total of 61 donkeys, 28 of which were unshod. Significant asymmetries were noted in heel height, toe-heel angle and medio-lateral symmetry. Additionally, of the total donkeys observed, 10% were not lame while 64% were consistently lame. Conformational defects were observed in 41% of all donkeys.

Morphometric Findings and Associations

The study identified eleven factors from the evaluation of morphometric data, accounting for 83% of the variance encountered. This suggested that a select set of diverse parameters were responsible for the majority of observed hoof morphological variations. Interestingly, neither the practice of shoeing donkeys, nor the asymmetry of their feet, seemed to have a clear association with their lameness. However, age was identified as a significant factor contributing to the likelihood of lameness.

Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research

As with all research, there were limitations to the study. The majority of donkeys evaluated were lame, which might skew results away from representing a ‘healthy’ standard for the hoof morphology of working donkeys. The absence of validated objective lameness measures for donkeys was also noted as a limitation.

Future research is encouraged to employ larger datasets and a more homogenous sample size. In doing so, the researchers hope to better discriminate between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ hooves and gain a more accurate understanding of which factors contribute to lameness. The data collected could be particularly useful for developing targeted interventions and management strategies to reduce lameness in working donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Khan RZU, Rosanowski SM, Parkes RSV. (2022). Hoof morphometry in a population of lame and nonlame working donkeys in Pakistan. Equine Vet J, 55(3), 435-445. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13861

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 3
Pages: 435-445

Researcher Affiliations

Khan, Raja Zabeeh Ullah
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Rosanowski, Sarah M
  • EVC Limited, Hong Kong.
  • Digital Agriculture, Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Parkes, Rebecca Sarah Victoria
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
  • Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Equidae
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Gait
  • Horse Diseases

Grant Funding

  • 9610463 / City University of Hong Kong

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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