Preliminary Biometric Study on Symmetry of Hoof Solear Aspect in Forelimbs in Four Horse Breeds.
Abstract: Correct conformation and symmetry of bilateral hooves are associated with a properly balanced hoof, which has a significant impact on the biomechanics of movement and reduces the risk of injury. The aim of the study was to compare solear aspect dimensions of bilateral hooves in forelimbs (hoof width, length, frog width, length, medial and lateral diagonals) with regard to sex, breed and age of horses. The dimensions were measured with a calliper in 100 horses of four breeds. The results showed that the breed factor significantly affected all dimensions. Age was significant for some variables, while sex was not a significant factor. The hoof solear dimensions did not differ between mares and geldings, decreased with a corresponding decrease in horse breed size and often increased with age. Significant differences in the mean dimensions between bilateral hooves were rare and did not show a clear tendency across the population. However, considering the prevalence, almost 1/3 of horses showed asymmetries in particular dimensions. It was concluded that there are no consistent, one-directional asymmetries in the solear aspect of bilateral hooves in horse forelimbs despite frequent two-directional asymmetries occurring in horses. Trimmers should regard the findings to try to maintain hoof symmetry.
Publication Date: 2025-11-21 PubMed ID: 41375428PubMed Central: PMC12691106DOI: 10.3390/ani15233369Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study investigates the symmetry of the hoof sole (solear aspect) in the forelimbs of horses from four different breeds.
- The researchers measured various dimensions of both left and right hooves to understand the effects of breed, sex, and age on hoof symmetry and conformation.
Research Purpose and Importance
- The main goal was to assess whether there are consistent differences in the size and shape of the hooves on the left and right forelimbs, which is important because symmetrical hooves contribute to balanced movement and reduce injury risk.
- Understanding hoof symmetry can guide horse trimmers and veterinarians in maintaining hoof health and correcting imbalances.
Methodology
- Measurements were taken on 100 horses belonging to four different breeds.
- Dimensions recorded included hoof width and length, frog width and length, and medial and lateral diagonal lengths of the sole.
- A caliper, a precise measuring tool, was used to collect these measurements.
- Data was analyzed considering three variables: breed, sex, and age of the horses.
Key Findings
- Breed Influence: Breed was found to significantly affect all hoof dimensions measured, meaning different horse breeds tend to have systematically different hoof sizes and shapes.
- Age Influence: Age influenced some of the dimensions, showing a tendency for certain hoof measures to increase as horses got older.
- Sex Influence: There were no significant differences in hoof dimensions between mares (female horses) and geldings (castrated males).
- Symmetry Analysis: Generally, there were no consistent or clear patterns of asymmetry in the dimensions between left and right forelimb hooves when looking at the entire group of horses.
- Despite the lack of a population-wide pattern, about one-third of the individual horses showed asymmetries in certain measurements, but these asymmetries occurred in both directions and were not biased to one side.
Implications and Recommendations
- The findings suggest that while hoof asymmetry exists, it does not consistently affect one side more than the other across horse populations.
- Since stable symmetry is vital for correct movement and injury prevention, trimmers and hoof care professionals should carefully monitor and maintain hoof symmetry during hoof trimming and care.
- Breed considerations are important because hoof size and conformation vary significantly, so trimming techniques might need adjustment depending on the breed.
- Age-related changes imply that hoof care strategies might evolve as a horse ages to maintain optimal hoof health and symmetry.
Summary
- This preliminary biometric study provided valuable baseline data on hoof sole dimensions across different breeds, sexes, and ages.
- It highlighted the predominance of breed effects on hoof shape, the minor effect of age, and the lack of sex differences.
- Although individual horses may have asymmetrical hooves, there isn’t a consistent bias for one side to be larger or differently shaped in the population studied.
- These insights can help improve hoof care practices and promote better movement biomechanics in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Stachurska A, Wnuk E, Łuszczyński J, Donderowicz W.
(2025).
Preliminary Biometric Study on Symmetry of Hoof Solear Aspect in Forelimbs in Four Horse Breeds.
Animals (Basel), 15(23), 3369.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15233369 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Genetics, Animal Breeding and Ethology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, 30-059 Cracow, Poland.
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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