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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Res / Hoof Quality of Anglo-Arabian and Haflinger Horses.
Journal of veterinary research2017; 61(3); 367-373; doi: 10.1515/jvetres-2017-0049

Hoof Quality of Anglo-Arabian and Haflinger Horses.

Abstract: Foot quality is essential to the horse's movement. The barefoot approach favours the animal's welfare. Environment and selection determine hoof characteristics. Methods: Hoof characteristics of eight Anglo-Arabian (AA) and nine Haflinger (HA) horses were studied. After a preliminary visual analysis of feet, nail samples were collected after trimming for physico-chemical analysis. The parameters were submitted to analysis of variance. A principal component analysis and a Pearson correlation were used to compare mineral contents. Results: The hooves of both breeds were healthy and solid. The hooves of HA horses were longer than those of AA horses (14.90 ±0.30 cm vs 13.10 ±0.60 cm), while the AA hoof was harder than the HA hoof both in the wall (74.55 ±2.95 H vs 60.18 ±2.67 H) and sole (67.00 ±5.87 H vs 43.0 ±4.76 H). In comparison with the sole, the AA hoof wall also had a lower moisture percentage (12.56 ±0.67% vs 20.64 ±0.76%), while crude protein and ash contents were similar in both regions. The AA hoof showed a higher Se content, while the HA hoof had a higher level of macroelements. The negative correlations of K with Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the AA hoof may indicate osmoregulation activity. Conclusions: The hoof morphology of AA and HA horses met the literature parameters for mesomorphic horses. Both breeds had healthy and well-conformed hooves, useful for sport and recreation activities.
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Publication Date: 2017-09-19 PubMed ID: 29978097PubMed Central: PMC5894422DOI: 10.1515/jvetres-2017-0049Google 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 presents a study on the hoof quality of Anglo-Arabian and Haflinger horses, taking into account significant factors such as environment and selection. The results highlight that both breeds possess strong, healthy hooves, albeit with slight differences in length, hardness, and mineral content.

Methods

  • The researchers chose eight Anglo-Arabian (AA) and nine Haflinger (HA) horses for this study.
  • An initial analysis was carried out by visually examining the horses’ hooves.
  • Nail samples were collected post-trimming to evaluate their physico-chemical properties and determine the robustness of the hooves.
  • The collected data was analysed using Variance Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, and Pearson Correlation to compare mineral contents.

Results

  • The study found both AA and HA horses’ hooves to be healthy and robust.
  • However, the HA horses’ hooves were slightly longer (14.90 ±0.30 cm), as compared to AA horses’ (13.10 ±0.60 cm).
  • Moreover, the hardness of the AA horses’ hooves was found to be greater, both in the wall and on the sole, compared to the HA horses’ hooves.
  • A comparison of the moisture percentage showed a lower figure for the AA hoof wall as compared to the sole.
  • The levels of crude protein and ash contents were deemed to be similar in both hoof regions of both horse breeds.
  • An intriguing finding was that AA horses’ hooves had a higher selenium content, whereas HA horses’ hooves showcased higher levels of macroelements.
  • The negative correlations of potassium (K) with copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in AA hooves possibly signify osmoregulation activity.

Conclusion

  • In terms of hoof morphology, both AA and HA breeds met the literature parameters for mesomorphic horses – moderate body type, neither extremely heavy nor light.
  • The study concluded that both horse breeds have strong and well-conformed hooves, suitable for perform activities like sports and leisure horse-riding.

Cite This Article

APA
Tocci R, Sargentini C, Martini A, Andrenelli L, Pezzati A, Benvenuti D, Giorgetti A. (2017). Hoof Quality of Anglo-Arabian and Haflinger Horses. J Vet Res, 61(3), 367-373. https://doi.org/10.1515/jvetres-2017-0049

Publication

Journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 2450-7393
NlmUniqueID: 101696630
Country: Poland
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 3
Pages: 367-373

Researcher Affiliations

Tocci, Roberto
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.
Sargentini, Clara
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.
Martini, Andrea
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.
Andrenelli, Luisa
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.
Pezzati, Antonio
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.
Benvenuti, Doria
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.
Giorgetti, Alessandro
  • Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences - Animal Science Section, University of Florence 50144 Florence, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of Interests Statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this article.

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