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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Hoof size, shape, and balance as possible risk factors for c...
American journal of veterinary research1998; 59(12); 1545-1552;

Hoof size, shape, and balance as possible risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury of Thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: To evaluate hoof size, shape, and balance as risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries (CMI), including suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) and cannon bone condylar fracture (CDY) in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 95 Thoroughbred racehorses that died between 1994 and 1996. Methods: 38 quantitative measures of hoof size, shape, and balance were obtained from orthogonal digital images of the hoof and were compared between case horses with forelimb CMI (70), SAF (43), and CDY (10) injuries and control horses whose death was unrelated to the musculoskeletal system (non-CMI, 25). Comparison of group means between cases and controls was done using ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios. Results: Odds of CMI were 0.62 times lower for a 5mm increase in ground surface width difference and 0.49 times lower for a 100-mm2 increase in sole area difference. Odds of SAF were 6.75 times greater with a 10 degrees increase in toe-heel angle difference and 0.58 times lower with a 100-mm2 increase in sole area difference. Odds of CDY were 0.26 times lower with a 3 degrees increase in toe angle, 0.15 times lower with a 5-mm increase in lateral ground surface width, and 0.35 times lower with a 100-mm2 increase in sole area difference. Conclusions: Decreasing the difference between toe and heel angles should decrease risk of SAF for Thoroughbred racehorses and should be considered in addition to increasing toe angle alone to help prevent catastrophic injury. Trimming the hoof to perfect mediolateral symmetry may not be a sound approach to avoiding injury.
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Publication Date: 1998-12-19 PubMed ID: 9858404
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 investigates the relation between hoof size, shape, and balance in Thoroughbred racehorses, and the risks they may pose for catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries. The research finds that certain aspects of hoof characteristics can increase or decrease the likelihood of these grave injuries, thus suggesting strategies to mitigate such risks.

Research Methods

  • The study involved a sample of 95 Thoroughbred racehorses that died between 1994 and 1996.
  • A comprehensive study of their hooves was conducted using 38 measurements of the hoof size, shape, and balance.
  • The measurements taken from this sample were cross-compared against control group racehorses whose death was unrelated to musculoskeletal issues.
  • Statistical methods, such as ANOVA comparison of group means and multivariable logistic regression, were used to ascertain the odds ratios and evaluate potential risk factors.

Results

  • For each 5mm increase in the difference in ground surface width, the chance of a catastrophic musculoskeletal injury was 0.62 times less likely; a 100 square mm increase in sole area difference lowered the risk further by nearly half.
  • The likelihood of a suspensory apparatus failure was 6.75 times higher with a 10 degrees increase in toe-heel angle difference. However, with each 100 square mm increase in sole area difference, the odds of SAF decreased by 0.58 times.
  • Cannon bone condylar fractures were statistically shown to be less likely with each 3 degrees increase in the toe angle, 5mm increase in the lateral ground surface width, and a 100 square mm increase in sole area difference; the likelihoods decreased by 0.28, 0.15, and 0.35 times respectively.

Conclusions

  • To try and prevent catastrophic injury, toe and heel angles should be decreased to minimise the risk of suspensory apparatus failure in racehorses. This would be a beneficial addition to previously recommended tips, such as increasing toe angle alone.
  • The study also pointed out that a ‘perfect’ mediolateral symmetry in hoof trimming may not be the best approach to reducing injury risks.

Cite This Article

APA
Kane AJ, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Bock KB, Case JT, Johnson BJ, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Larochelle D, Moore J, Mysore J, Stoltz J, Woods L, Read DH, Ardans AA. (1998). Hoof size, shape, and balance as possible risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury of Thoroughbred racehorses. Am J Vet Res, 59(12), 1545-1552.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 12
Pages: 1545-1552

Researcher Affiliations

Kane, A J
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Stover, S M
    Gardner, I A
      Bock, K B
        Case, J T
          Johnson, B J
            Anderson, M L
              Barr, B C
                Daft, B M
                  Kinde, H
                    Larochelle, D
                      Moore, J
                        Mysore, J
                          Stoltz, J
                            Woods, L
                              Read, D H
                                Ardans, A A

                                  MeSH Terms

                                  • Animals
                                  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
                                  • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
                                  • Bone and Bones / injuries
                                  • Female
                                  • Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
                                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                                  • Horses / anatomy & histology
                                  • Horses / injuries
                                  • Male
                                  • Muscle, Skeletal / injuries
                                  • Orchiectomy
                                  • Posture
                                  • Risk Factors

                                  Citations

                                  This article has been cited 14 times.
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                                  10. Ennsmann LH, Licka TF. Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1598038.
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                                  11. Schild CO, Nyaoke A, Asin J, Henderson EE, Blea JA, Stover SM, Uzal FA. A retrospective study of radial fractures in racehorses in California, 2006-2022. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Jul 23;:10406387251336267.
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                                  12. Seery S, Gardiner J, Bates KT, Pinchbeck G, Clegg P, Ireland JL, Milner PI. Changes in pressure distribution of the solar surface after a single trimming event are associated with external hoof measurements in the equine fore foot. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1255-1264.
                                    doi: 10.1111/evj.14463pubmed: 39785669google scholar: lookup
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                                  14. Dahl VE, Singer ER, Garcia TC, Hawkins DA, Stover SM. Hoof Expansion, Deformation, and Surface Strains Vary with Horseshoe Nail Positions. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 4;13(11).
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