FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface2019; 16(155); 20190214; doi: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0214

Physics of animal health: on the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form.

Abstract: Global inequalities in economic access and agriculture productivity imply that a large number of developing countries rely on working equids for transport/agriculture/mining. Therefore, the understanding of hoof conditions/shape variations affecting equids' ability to work is still a persistent concern. To bridge this gap, using a multi-scale interdisciplinary approach, we provide a bio-physical model predicting the shape of equids' hooves as a function of physical and biological parameters. In particular, we show (i) where the hoof growth stress originates from, (ii) why the hoof growth rate is one order of magnitude higher than the proliferation rate of epithelial cells and (iii) how the soft-to-hard transformation of the epithelium is possible allowing the hoof to fulfil its function as a weight-bearing element. Finally (iv), we demonstrate that the reason for hoof misshaping is linked to the asymmetrical design of equids' feet (shorter quarters/long toe) together with the inability of the biological growth stress to compensate for such an asymmetry. Consequently, the hoof can adopt a dorsal curvature and become 'dished' overtime, which is a function of the animal's mass and the hoof growth rate. This approach allows us to discuss the potential occurrence of this multifaceted pathology in equids.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2019-06-26 PubMed ID: 31238833PubMed Central: PMC6597769DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0214Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 research study offers an interdisciplinary, multi-scale model to predict and understand the shape variations of hoof growth in equids (horses, donkeys, and related animals). Factors examined include the source of hoof growth stress, the rapid growth rate compared to epithelial cell proliferation, the transformation of soft tissues to a hard hoof capable of bearing weight, and the irregular shape of the hoof due to biological growth patterns.

Multi-Scale Interdisciplinary Approach

  • This study uses a comprehensive approach to understand the changes in equid hooves, combining different disciplines like biology and physics, and observing the changes at multiple scales – from individual cell growth to whole hoof formation.

Understanding Hoof Growth Stress

  • The researchers identify the origin of the stress that drives hoof growth in equids. The physical and biological parameters involved are taken into account to understand how the exterior shape of the hoof is determined.

Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Hoof Growth

  • The study addresses why the growth rate of hoof is significantly faster than the proliferation rate of epithelial cells. This insight concerns how the cells contribute in maintaining the hoof’s structure despite the demanding physical conditions.

Soft to Hard Transformation

  • The transformation of soft epithelial tissue to a hard, weight-bearing hoof surface is a critical aspect of hoof biology. The researchers explore how this process is possible, considering the ability of the hoof to fulfill its weight-bearing function.

Asymmetrical Design and Misshaping

  • The study demonstrates that the hoof’s asymmetrical design, coupled with the inability of the biological growth stress to compensate this unevenness, contribute to the misshaping of hooves. This diminishes their efficiency as weight-bearing structures and can lead to diseases in working equids.
  • Both the animal’s mass and hoof growth rate impact the rate at which the hoof adopts a dorsal curvature and becomes ‘dished out.’ Animals carrying larger mass are likely more prone to these issues.

Implications of the Study

  • The findings help in understanding the variability in hoof conditions and form, which has significant implications in the regions where equids are extensively used for transportation, agriculture, and mining.
  • Understanding the progression and causes of hoof malformation could help in prevention, early detection, and treatment, thereby improving the working capacity and overall health of the equids.

Cite This Article

APA
Al-Agele R, Paul E, Taylor S, Watson C, Sturrock C, Drakopoulos M, Atwood RC, Rutland CS, Menzies-Gow N, Knowles E, Elliott J, Harris P, Rauch C. (2019). Physics of animal health: on the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form. J R Soc Interface, 16(155), 20190214. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2019.0214

Publication

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
ISSN: 1742-5662
NlmUniqueID: 101217269
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 155
Pages: 20190214
PII: 20190214

Researcher Affiliations

Al-Agele, Ramzi
  • 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.
  • 6 Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala , Baqubah , Iraq.
Paul, Emily
  • 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.
Taylor, Sophie
  • 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.
Watson, Charlotte
  • 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.
Sturrock, Craig
  • 2 CIPB, Hounsfield Building, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.
Drakopoulos, Michael
  • 3 BL12, Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House , Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE , UK.
Atwood, Robert C
  • 3 BL12, Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House , Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE , UK.
Rutland, Catrin S
  • 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.
Menzies-Gow, Nicola
  • 4 The Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL97TA , UK.
Knowles, Edd
  • 4 The Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL97TA , UK.
Elliott, Jonathan
  • 4 The Royal Veterinary College , Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL97TA , UK.
Harris, Patricia
  • 5 Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition , Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE14 4RT , UK.
Rauch, Cyril
  • 1 School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham , College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD , UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
  • Hoof and Claw / physiology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / growth & development
  • Models, Biological
  • Weight-Bearing

Conflict of Interest Statement

We declare we have no competing interests.

References

This article includes 56 references
  1. Harris P. Laminitis after 2000 years: adding bricks to our wall of knowledge.. Vet J 2012 Mar;191(3):273-4.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.014pubmed: 22036868google scholar: lookup
  2. Doumbia A. The contribution of working donkeys to the livelihoods of the population in Mali. 2014, Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad. In 7th Intl. Colloquium on Working Equids, 1–3 July 2014 London, UK.
  3. Martin Curran M, Smith DG. The impact of donkey ownership on the livelihoods of female peri-urban dwellers in Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2005 Nov;37 Suppl 1:67-86.
    doi: 10.1007/s11250-005-9009-ypubmed: 16335072google scholar: lookup
  4. Broster CE, Burn CC, Barr AR, Whay HR. The range and prevalence of pathological abnormalities associated with lameness in working horses from developing countries.. Equine Vet J 2009 May;41(5):474-81.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X373907pubmed: 19642408google scholar: lookup
  5. Reix CE, Burn CC, Pritchard JC, Barr AR, Whay HR. The range and prevalence of clinical signs and conformation associated with lameness in working draught donkeys in Pakistan.. Equine Vet J 2014 Nov;46(6):771-7.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12231pubmed: 24433378google scholar: lookup
  6. Bragulla H. Fetal development of the segment-specific papillary body in the equine hoof.. J Morphol 2003 Nov;258(2):207-24.
    doi: 10.1002/jmor.10142pubmed: 14518014google scholar: lookup
  7. Rayneau-Kirkhope D, Mao Y, Rauch C. Bioinspired hierarchical designs for stiff, strong interfaces between materials of differing stiffness. Phys. Rev. Appl. 2018, 10, 034016.
    doi: 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.10.034016google scholar: lookup
  8. Parkes RS, Witte TH. The foot-surface interaction and its impact on musculoskeletal adaptation and injury risk in the horse.. Equine Vet J 2015 Sep;47(5):519-25.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12420pubmed: 25640598google scholar: lookup
  9. Moore RM, Eades SC, Stokes AM. Evidence for vascular and enzymatic events in the pathophysiology of acute laminitis: which pathway is responsible for initiation of this process in horses?. Equine Vet J 2004 Apr;36(3):204-9.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044877116pubmed: 15147125google scholar: lookup
  10. Johnson PJ, Wiedmeyer CE, LaCarrubba A, Ganjam VK, Messer NT 4th. Laminitis and the equine metabolic syndrome.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Aug;26(2):239-55.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.04.004pubmed: 20699172google scholar: lookup
  11. Johnston C, Back W. Hoof ground interaction: when biomechanical stimuli challenge the tissues of the distal limb.. Equine Vet J 2006 Nov;38(7):634-41.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406X158341pubmed: 17228578google scholar: lookup
  12. Morgan BA. The dermal papilla: an instructive niche for epithelial stem and progenitor cells in development and regeneration of the hair follicle.. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2014 Jul 1;4(7):a015180.
    doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015180pmc: PMC4066645pubmed: 24985131google scholar: lookup
  13. Sprecher E. Genetic hair and nail disorders.. Clin Dermatol 2005 Jan-Feb;23(1):47-55.
    doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.09.009pubmed: 15708289google scholar: lookup
  14. Duverger O, Morasso MI. To grow or not to grow: hair morphogenesis and human genetic hair disorders.. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014 Jan-Feb;25-26:22-33.
    doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2013.12.006pmc: PMC3988237pubmed: 24361867google scholar: lookup
  15. Joost S, Zeisel A, Jacob T, Sun X, La Manno G, Lönnerberg P, Linnarsson S, Kasper M. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals that Differentiation and Spatial Signatures Shape Epidermal and Hair Follicle Heterogeneity.. Cell Syst 2016 Sep 28;3(3):221-237.e9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cels.2016.08.010pmc: PMC5052454pubmed: 27641957google scholar: lookup
  16. Chateau H, Holden L, Robin D, Falala S, Pourcelot P, Estoup P, Denoix JM, Crevier-Denoix N. Biomechanical analysis of hoof landing and stride parameters in harness trotter horses running on different tracks of a sand beach (from wet to dry) and on an asphalt road.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):488-95.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00277.xpubmed: 21059050google scholar: lookup
  17. Holden L, Pourcelot P, Peaucelle M, Falala S, Robin D, Crevier-Denoix N, Chateau H. Comparison between accelerometer and kinematic techniques for the evaluation of hoof slip distance: a preliminary study. Comput. Methods Biomech. Biomed. Engin. 2010, 13, 71–72.
    doi: 10.1080/10255842.2010.493728pubmed: 0google scholar: lookup
  18. Kasapi MA, Gosline JM. Exploring the possible functions of equine hoof wall tubules.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1998 Sep;(26):10-4.
    pubmed: 9932088doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05116.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  19. Kasapi MA, Gosline JM. Micromechanics of the equine hoof wall: optimizing crack control and material stiffness through modulation of the properties of keratin.. J Exp Biol 1999 Feb;202(Pt 4):377-91.
    pubmed: 9914146doi: 10.1242/jeb.202.4.377google scholar: lookup
  20. Kasapi MA, Gosline JM. Design complexity and fracture control in the equine hoof wall.. J Exp Biol 1997 Jun;200(Pt 11):1639-59.
    pubmed: 9202450doi: 10.1242/jeb.200.11.1639google scholar: lookup
  21. Kasapi MA, Gosline JM. Strain-rate-dependent mechanical properties of the equine hoof wall.. J Exp Biol 1996 May;199(Pt 5):1133-46.
    pubmed: 8786334doi: 10.1242/jeb.199.5.1133google scholar: lookup
  22. Thomason JJ, McClinchey HL, Jofriet JC. Analysis of strain and stress in the equine hoof capsule using finite element methods: comparison with principal strains recorded in vivo.. Equine Vet J 2002 Nov;34(7):719-25.
    doi: 10.2746/042516402776250388pubmed: 12455844google scholar: lookup
  23. Douglas JE, Mittal C, Thomason JJ, Jofriet JC. The modulus of elasticity of equine hoof wall: implications for the mechanical function of the hoof.. J Exp Biol 1996 Aug;199(Pt 8):1829-36.
    pubmed: 8708582doi: 10.1242/jeb.199.8.1829google scholar: lookup
  24. Butler KD Jr, Hintz HF. Effect of level of feed intake and gelatin supplementation on growth and quality of hoofs of ponies.. J Anim Sci 1977 Feb;44(2):257-61.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1977.442257xpubmed: 833063google scholar: lookup
  25. Guz N, Dokukin M, Kalaparthi V, Sokolov I. If cell mechanics can be described by elastic modulus: study of different models and probes used in indentation experiments.. Biophys J 2014 Aug 5;107(3):564-575.
    doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.06.033pmc: PMC4129501pubmed: 25099796google scholar: lookup
  26. Ramms L, Fabris G, Windoffer R, Schwarz N, Springer R, Zhou C, Lazar J, Stiefel S, Hersch N, Schnakenberg U, Magin TM, Leube RE, Merkel R, Hoffmann B. Keratins as the main component for the mechanical integrity of keratinocytes.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013 Nov 12;110(46):18513-8.
    doi: 10.1073/pnas.1313491110pmc: PMC3831947pubmed: 24167246google scholar: lookup
  27. Drakopoulos M, Connolley T, Reinhard C, Atwood R, Magdysyuk O, Vo N, Hart M, Connor L, Humphreys B, Howell G, Davies S, Hill T, Wilkin G, Pedersen U, Foster A, De Maio N, Basham M, Yuan F, Wanelik K. I12: the Joint Engineering, Environment and Processing (JEEP) beamline at Diamond Light Source.. J Synchrotron Radiat 2015 May;22(3):828-38.
    doi: 10.1107/S1600577515003513pmc: PMC4416690pubmed: 25931103google scholar: lookup
  28. Snigirev A, Snigireva I, Kohn V, Kuznetsov S, Schelokov I. On the possibilities of X-ray phase contrast microimaging by coherent high-energy synchrotron radiation. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1995, 66, 5486–5492.
    doi: 10.1063/1.1146073google scholar: lookup
  29. Paganin D, Mayo SC, Gureyev TE, Miller PR, Wilkins SW. Simultaneous phase and amplitude extraction from a single defocused image of a homogeneous object.. J Microsc 2002 Apr;206(Pt 1):33-40.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2818.2002.01010.xpubmed: 12000561google scholar: lookup
  30. Titarenko V, Bradley R, Martin C, Withers PJ, Titarenko S. Regularization methods for inverse problems in X-ray tomography. Proc. SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng. 2010, Developments in X-Ray Tomography VII, San Diego, vol. 7804, CA, 1 July 2010.
    doi: 10.1117/12.860260google scholar: lookup
  31. Henneke DR, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Yeates BF. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares.. Equine Vet J 1983 Oct;15(4):371-2.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01826.xpubmed: 6641685google scholar: lookup
  32. Carter RA, Geor RJ, Burton Staniar W, Cubitt TA, Harris PA. Apparent adiposity assessed by standardised scoring systems and morphometric measurements in horses and ponies.. Vet J 2009 Feb;179(2):204-10.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.02.029pubmed: 18440844google scholar: lookup
  33. Yu XM, Li CW, Chao SS, Li YY, Yan Y, Zhao XN, Yu FG, Liu J, Shen L, Pan XL, Shi L, Wang de Y. Reduced growth and proliferation dynamics of nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells in nasal polyps in vitro.. Sci Rep 2014 Apr 9;4:4619.
    doi: 10.1038/srep04619pmc: PMC3980221pubmed: 24714674google scholar: lookup
  34. Koster MI, Dai D, Marinari B, Sano Y, Costanzo A, Karin M, Roop DR. p63 induces key target genes required for epidermal morphogenesis.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007 Feb 27;104(9):3255-60.
    doi: 10.1073/pnas.0611376104pmc: PMC1805532pubmed: 17360634google scholar: lookup
  35. Faleiros RR, Stokes AM, Eades SC, Kim DY, Paulsen DB, Moore RM. Assessment of apoptosis in epidermal lamellar cells in clinically normal horses and those with laminitis.. Am J Vet Res 2004 May;65(5):578-85.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.578pubmed: 15141876google scholar: lookup
  36. Linardi RL, Megee SO, Mainardi SR, Senoo M, Galantino-Homer HL. Expression and localization of epithelial stem cell and differentiation markers in equine skin, eye and hoof.. Vet Dermatol 2015 Aug;26(4):213-e47.
    doi: 10.1111/vde.12214pmc: PMC4506204pubmed: 25963063google scholar: lookup
  37. Shelton J, Usherwood NM, Wapenaar W, Brennan ML, Green LE. Measurement and error of hoof horn growth rate in sheep. J. Agricult. Sci. 2012, 150, 373–378.
  38. Miller KV, Marchinton RL, Nettles VF. The growth rate of hooves of white-tailed deer.. J Wildl Dis 1986 Jan;22(1):129-31.
    pubmed: 3951051doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-22.1.129google scholar: lookup
  39. Telezhenko E, Bergsten C, Magnusson M, Nilsson C. Effect of different flooring systems on claw conformation of dairy cows.. J Dairy Sci 2009 Jun;92(6):2625-33.
    pubmed: 19447995doi: 10.3168/jds.2008-1798google scholar: lookup
  40. Harrison SM, Monahan FJ, Zazzo A, Bahar B, Moloney AP, Scrimgeour CM, Schmidt O. Three-dimensional growth of bovine hoof as recorded by carbon stable isotope ratios.. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2007;21(24):3971-6.
    pubmed: 17994529doi: 10.1002/rcm.3309google scholar: lookup
  41. Lee CH, Kim MS, Chung BM, Leahy DJ, Coulombe PA. Structural basis for heteromeric assembly and perinuclear organization of keratin filaments.. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2012 Jun 17;19(7):707-15.
    doi: 10.1038/nsmb.2330pmc: PMC3864793pubmed: 22705788google scholar: lookup
  42. Gardel ML, Shin JH, MacKintosh FC, Mahadevan L, Matsudaira P, Weitz DA. Elastic behavior of cross-linked and bundled actin networks.. Science 2004 May 28;304(5675):1301-5.
    doi: 10.1126/science.1095087pubmed: 15166374google scholar: lookup
  43. Nolting JF, Möbius W, Köster S. Mechanics of individual keratin bundles in living cells.. Biophys J 2014 Dec 2;107(11):2693-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.10.039pmc: PMC4255224pubmed: 25468348google scholar: lookup
  44. Rauch C, Cherkaoui-Rbati M. Physics of nail conditions: why do ingrown nails always happen in the big toes?. Phys Biol 2014 Oct 16;11(6):066004.
    doi: 10.1088/1478-3975/11/6/066004pubmed: 25322083google scholar: lookup
  45. Dyson SJ, Tranquille CA, Collins SN, Parkin TD, Murray RC. An investigation of the relationships between angles and shapes of the hoof capsule and the distal phalanx.. Equine Vet J 2011 May;43(3):295-301.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00162.xpubmed: 21492206google scholar: lookup
  46. Burn CC, Dennison TL, Whay HR. Environmental and demographic risk factors for poor welfare in working horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries.. Vet J 2010 Dec;186(3):385-92.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.09.016pubmed: 19926316google scholar: lookup
  47. Pritchard JC, Lindberg AC, Main DC, Whay HR. Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters.. Prev Vet Med 2005 Jul 12;69(3-4):265-83.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.02.002pubmed: 15907574google scholar: lookup
  48. Bornschlögl T, Bildstein L, Thibaut S, Santoprete R, Fiat F, Luengo GS, Doucet J, Bernard BA, Baghdadli N. Keratin network modifications lead to the mechanical stiffening of the hair follicle fiber.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016 May 24;113(21):5940-5.
    doi: 10.1073/pnas.1520302113pmc: PMC4889357pubmed: 27162354google scholar: lookup
  49. Greenberg DA, Fudge DS. Regulation of hard α-keratin mechanics via control of intermediate filament hydration: matrix squeeze revisited.. Proc Biol Sci 2013 Jan 7;280(1750):20122158.
    doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2158pmc: PMC3574435pubmed: 23135675google scholar: lookup
  50. Hunt RJ, Wharton RE. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis of chronic laminitis in North America.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Apr;26(1):141-53.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2009.12.006pubmed: 20381743google scholar: lookup
  51. Morgan R, Keen J, McGowan C. Equine metabolic syndrome.. Vet Rec 2015 Aug 15;177(7):173-9.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.103226pmc: PMC4552932pubmed: 26273009google scholar: lookup
  52. Frank N, Tadros EM. Insulin dysregulation.. Equine Vet J 2014 Jan;46(1):103-12.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12169pubmed: 24033478google scholar: lookup
  53. van der Kolk JH, Wensing T, Kalsbeek HC, Breukink HJ. Laboratory diagnosis of equine pituitary pars intermedia adenoma.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 1995 Jan;12(1):35-9.
    doi: 10.1016/0739-7240(94)00006-Mpubmed: 7621678google scholar: lookup
  54. Olefsky JM. Effect of dexamethasone on insulin binding, glucose transport, and glucose oxidation of isolated rat adipocytes.. J Clin Invest 1975 Dec;56(6):1499-1508.
    doi: 10.1172/JCI108231pmc: PMC333128pubmed: 1202081google scholar: lookup
  55. Caro JF, Amatruda JM. Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance: the importance of postbinding events in the regulation of insulin binding, action, and degradation in freshly isolated and primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.. J Clin Invest 1982 Apr;69(4):866-75.
    doi: 10.1172/JCI110526pmc: PMC370141pubmed: 7042756google scholar: lookup
  56. Garcia MC, Beech J. Equine intravenous glucose tolerance test: glucose and insulin responses of healthy horses fed grain or hay and of horses with pituitary adenoma.. Am J Vet Res 1986 Mar;47(3):570-2.
    pubmed: 3516026

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Hobbs SJ, Curtis S, Martin J, Sinclair J, Clayton HM. Hoof Matters: Developing an Athletic Thoroughbred Hoof. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 11;12(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12223119pubmed: 36428348google scholar: lookup
  2. Dong Z, Liu M, Zou X, Sun W, Liu X, Zeng J, Yang Z. Integrating Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Analyse the Potential Mechanism of action of Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. in the Treatment of Bovine Hoof Disease. Vet Sci 2021 Dec 30;9(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9010011pubmed: 35051095google scholar: lookup
  3. Chalvatzi S, Papadopoulos GA, Kroustallas F, Cernat M, Skampardonis V, Marouda C, Fotiadou V, Psychas V, Poutahidis T, Leontides L, Fortomaris P. Claw Characteristics of Culled Sows from Three Farrow-to-Finish Greek Farms. Part 2: Mechanical Indices of Hoof Horn and Their Associations with Length Measurements and Lesion Scores. Vet Sci 2021 Aug 30;8(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci8090175pubmed: 34564569google scholar: lookup
  4. Ennsmann LH, Licka TF. Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1598038.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038pubmed: 40786980google scholar: lookup
  5. Karim IMA, Al-Agele RA. Histomorphometry of limb skeletogenesis in prehatched precocial embryos (Japanese quail and Cochin chicken) and altricial embryos (racing pigeons and cockatiel birds). Open Vet J 2025 May;15(5):2138-2148.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i5.32pubmed: 40557077google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.