In vitro mechanical properties of different equine hoof wall crack fixation techniques.

This research investigates the mechanical properties of different techniques used for fixing equine hoof wall cracks. The study particularly measures the strength and resilience of four repair methods: using acrylic adhesive, polyurethane patches with cyanoacrylate adhesive, steel plates with screws, and a transverse metal bar. Results show that the cyanoacrylate bonded patch repair had lower values for all tested parameters. Nevertheless, acrylic adhesive repairs, the metal bar, and screw plate repairs showed similar capacities to withstand shear forces without damaging sensitive structures in the horse’s hoof.

Research Objective

• The objective of this research was to examine and compare the mechanical properties of different techniques used to repair equine hoof wall cracks. The goal was to identify which repair methods can best withstand applied forces without damaging sensitive regions in the hoof.

Methods

• An in vitro system was employed to determine the shear properties of equine hoof crack repairs. The system was designed to yield measures for force, displacement, stiffness, and ultimate force.
• Four hoof repair techniques were examined: the application of an acrylic material, a polyurethane patch bonded with cyanoacrylate adhesive, a steel plate attached with screws, and a transverse metal bar inserted into the hoof wall.

Results

• Out of all four methods tested, the technique using a cyanoacrylate-bonded patch repair exhibited lower values for all parameters (force, displacement, stiffness, and ultimate force).
• However, the other three repair methods (acrylic adhesive, steel plate with screws, and a transverse metal bar) showed similar mechanical properties. They demonstrated an equal capacity to resist shear forces without posing the risk of penetrating the sensitive structures in the horse’s hoof.

Conclusion

• This study provided valuable insights into the mechanical properties of different crack repair techniques of equine hoofs. The findings suggest that acrylic adhesive repairs, steel plate with screws, and the transverse metal bar technique can all effectively withstand similar shear forces.
• The research highlights that the transverse bar technique, despite its relative simplicity compared to the other methods, showed a similar capacity to resist shear forces, which makes it a potentially useful addition to other repair methods.