Quantification of hoof deformation using optical motion capture.

The study explores the use of optical motion capture to reliably measure horse hoof deformation during motion, specifically during the stance phase. The findings highlight consistent patterns in hoof deformation and agree that optical motion capture effectively mitigates some challenges that limit existing hoof deformation measurement methods.

Objective of the Study

• The research aims to investigate the potential of optical motion capture as a tool for measuring hoof deformation during a horse’s movement. It specifically examines the deformation of the dorsal wall of the hoof during the stance phase.

Methodology

• Three clinically sound horses participated in the study, with emphasis placed on the front left feet of each horse.
• The hoof wall was cleaned, and nine retroreflective markers adhered to the lateral and dorsal hoof wall, and the shoe.
• Each horse was trotted in a straight line at a constant speed. Meanwhile, the marker positions during the stance phase were recorded at 240 frames per second using a 3-dimensional (3D) motion capture system.
• The accuracy of the motion capture system was checked using calibration with a micrometer.

Findings

• The researchers observed similar patterns of hoof deformation across all three horses, with the dorsal wall moving inward towards the limb axis and displacement increasing proximally.
• Mean peak deformation varied between 0.17mm and 0.92mm in the dorsal hoof wall, and between 0.18mm and 0.76mm in the lateral hoof wall.
• The movement of the shoe relative to the ground was consistently less than 0.7mm throughout the stance phase, and the movement of the hoof relative to the shoe was less than 0.3mm.
• The motion capture system was confirmed to demonstrate accurate measurement to less than 0.1mm in the study configuration.

Implications of the Study

• The study demonstrates the effectiveness of optical motion capture in measuring hoof deformation in horses, thereby addressing some drawbacks of existing measurement methods.
• This methodology and technology could potentially be used for detailed studies on hoof deformations, equine foot health, and associated conditions, providing valuable insights for veterinarians and equine professionals.