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Journal of equine veterinary science2023; 126; 104494; doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104494

Hoof Unevenness in Juvenile Quarter Horses During First 6 Months of Training.

Abstract: The role of hoof morphology is increasingly recognized as a factor associated with lameness incidence in performance horses. The primary objective was to evaluate effect of training initiation on hoof unevenness in Quarter Horses (n = 42; 29 2-year-olds, 13 3-year-olds) over 6-months (m) in training (m0, m2, m4, and m6). Horses were objectively assessed for lameness (inertial sensor system) and photographs and radiographs of feet were taken. Hoof measurements were taken (palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel/foot width, wall height/angle), and analyzed with regards to laterality. Front and hindfoot pairs were determined even if toe angles were within 1.5°. Statistical analyses were performed (Fisher's exact test, mixed-model linear regression, P < .05). There were no differences in distal phalanx palmar/plantar angle between lame/nonlame forelimbs (P = .54) or hindlimbs (P = .20). Unevenness between front feet was seen in toe angle m6 (P < .001), heel length m6 (P = .01) and heel angle over time (P = .006). Unevenness between hind feet was seen at m6 in toe angle (P < .001), heel length (P = .009) and heel angle (P = .02). Lameness incidence did not differ between even and uneven footed horses in forelimbs (P = .64) or hindlimbs (P = .09). In uneven feet, there was no difference in lameness between high versus low foot in forelimbs (P = .34) or hindlimbs (P = .29). Limitations include lack of control group not entering training, lack of consistency in timing data collection to previous trimming, and small sample size. In summary, differences in foot measurements and laterality were noted over time following training initiation in juvenile Western performance horses.
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Publication Date: 2023-04-17 PubMed ID: 37075868PubMed Central: PMC10330219DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104494Google 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 explores the impact of training commencement on hoof asymmetry in juvenile Quarter Horses over a six-month period, observing a correlation between some hoof measurements’ changes and the start of training but no significant difference in lameness frequency between horses with even and uneven hooves.

Objective of the Study

  • This research was primarily aimed at examining the effect of initiating training on hoof unevenness in Quarter Horses. The subjects were 42 Quarter Horses (29 of them were 2-year-olds, and 13 were 3-year-olds), and the training period spanned six months.

Methods

  • The researchers objectively evaluated all participating horses for lameness using an inertial sensor system. Furthermore, they took photos and radiographs of the horses’ feet to facilitate precise measurements.
  • Measurements such as palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel/foot width, wall height/angle were paid attention to, and were evaluated with regards to laterality (or left-right asymmetry).
  • The horses’ front and hind feet pairs were considered even if the toe angles varied within 1.5°. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher’s exact test and mixed-model linear regression, and results registering a “P” value less than .05 were considered significant.

Findings

  • There was no significant difference in the angle of the hoof bone – distal phalanx palmar/plantar angle – between lame and non-lame forelimbs (P = .54) or hindlimbs (P = .20).
  • Unevenness was observed between front feet in terms of the toe angle by the end of the six months (P < .001), the heel length at the six-month mark (P = .01), and the heel angle over the observed time (P = .006).
  • The same unevenness in heel angle (P = .02), toe angle (P < .001), and heel length (P = .009) was seen observed in hind feet towards the end of the six-month period.
  • Despite the recorded growth of unevenness, the incidence of lameness did not differ between horses with even and uneven hooves both in forelimbs (P = .64) and hindlimbs (P = .09).
  • Similarly, in feet that were uneven, there was no difference in lameness between the foot measured as higher versus the one measured as lower in both forelimbs (P = .34) and in hindlimbs (P = .29).

Limitations and Conclusion

  • The study had a few limitations which included the absence of a control group of horses not undergoing training, inconsistency in timing of data collection in relation to the horses’ previous hoof trimming, and a relatively small sample size.
  • In conclusion, the researchers observed changes in several foot measurements and laterality following the initiation of training in these young Western performance horses. However, these changes were not conclusively linked to a higher prevalence of lameness.

Cite This Article

APA
Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ. (2023). Hoof Unevenness in Juvenile Quarter Horses During First 6 Months of Training. J Equine Vet Sci, 126, 104494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104494

Publication

Journal of equine veterinary science
ISSN: 0737-0806
NlmUniqueID: 8216840
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 126
Pages: 104494
PII: S0737-0806(23)00284-8

Researcher Affiliations

Kawahisa-Piquini, Gabriella
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Bass, Luke
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Pezzanite, Lynn M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Moorman, Valerie J
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Electronic address: Valerie.Moorman@uga.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Hoof and Claw / diagnostic imaging
  • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
  • Lameness, Animal / etiology
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology

Grant Funding

  • T32 OD010437 / NIH HHS
  • TL1 TR002533 / NCATS NIH HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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