Mediolateral hoof balance in relation to the handedness of apprentice farriers.

The research investigates how the handedness (right or left) of apprentice farriers alters the balance of horse hooves. The study found a significant difference in hoof balance depending on whether the farrier was right-handed or left-handed, with both tending to over-trim specific aspects of the horse’s forelimbs.

Methodology

• The horses used for the research were sourced from the Royal School of Military Engineering, Melton Mowbray and from the Household Cavalry, Knightsbridge.
• The angles of both the lateral and medial hoof walls were measured using a Ruidoso hoof gauge by a single operator for uniformity of data gathering.
• The difference between the lateral and medial hoof wall angles for each horse was calculated and the comparisons were made between the work of right-handed and left-handed farriers.

Statistical Analysis and Results

• The Mann-Whitney U test, a nonparametric test used to compare two sample sets independently, was used with a standard ‘P’ value of less than 0.05 to highlight statistically significant differences.
• The research revealed a significant difference in the mediolateral hoof balance between horses shod by right-handed and left-handed farriers for each forelimb.
• The results indicated that right-handed farriers caused an imbalance in 47% of left forelimbs and 46% of right forelimbs evaluated. Conversely, left-handed farriers created an imbalance in 41% of left forelimbs and 71% of right forelimbs.

The Effect of Handedness on Trimming

• The research discovered a pattern with right-handed farriers tending to over-trim the medial (inner) part of the left forelimb and the lateral (outer) portion of the right forelimb. The opposite pattern was true for left-handed farriers.
• These findings give evidence to the idea that handedness plays a vital role in the way farriers trim horse hooves, leading to potential imbalances, which could affect the performance and wellbeing of the horse.
• A risk ratio was performed to confirm these findings; however, the study does not provide the specific results of this risk ratio.