Immediate effects of an artificial change in hoof angulation on the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angle and cross-sectional areas of both flexor tendons.

The research article focuses on the study of how changes in hoof angulation, made through corrective shoeing, affect the angulation and strain on certain tendons, specifically the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons, in the forelimbs of horses.

Research Purpose and Methodology

• The study aimed to understand how gradual modifications in hoof angulation influence the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angle, along with the measurements of the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons.
• The researchers used different angulation changes, varying from 5° to 20° using Toe Wedges (TWs) and Heel Wedges (HWs) to examine forelimbs of 30 horses.
• They used lateromedial radiographs of the digital area to determine the phalangeal angulation and length.
• Sonographic images were used to calculate the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of both flexor tendons.

Research Findings

• The research showed significant effects on the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint (DMPJ) and CSA of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) at elevations using 10° and 20° Heel Wedges or 20° Toe Wedges.
• Both tendons showed an increased CSA following heel elevation.
• Significant variations were noted between individual animals, indicating that the response to corrective shoeing may not be consistent in every case.
• The angulation and length of the phalangeal also impacted how the parameters responded to a changed hoof angulation.

Conclusions and Future Implications

• The findings suggest that the effect of corrective shoeing on the DMPJ and flexor tendons is largely tied to the degree of hoof orientation change and can be influenced by individual differences in toe conformation.
• Both the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons reacted in a similar way to the raised and lowered hoof orientation.
• This suggests that further research is needed to refine the approach of therapeutic shoeing, taking into consideration the individual differences in toe conformation and the specific needs based on the tendon’s response to hoof orientation changes.