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Journal of animal science2022; 101; skac374; doi: 10.1093/jas/skac374

Short Communication: changes in gait after 12 wk of shoeing in previously barefoot horses.

Abstract: Farriery can impact gait symmetry and lameness outcomes, but there is limited scientific data documenting these effects. We hypothesized that shoeing previously barefoot horses with plain stamp shoes on the hind hooves would increase gait symmetry, alter hock angles and increase range of motion, and improve lameness scores more than shoeing with traditional fullered shoes. At the start of the study, gait symmetry via wireless inertial motion sensors (IMS), kinematic gait analysis (hock angle and range of motion), and American Association for Equine Practitioner's (AAEP) lameness scoring were completed for 14 barefoot horses. Horses were then trimmed and hind hooves were shod (wk 0) in three-quarter fullered shoes or plain stamp style shoes. Horses were trimmed and re-shod at week 6. At the end of 12 wk, the IMS analysis, kinematic gait analysis, and lameness scoring were repeated. Differences between shod and barefoot values were calculated for each horse, and impact of shoe type was analyzed via t-test. Significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05. No differences were observed in the IMS scores, hock angles or range of motion, or AAEP lameness scores between horses shod in fullered or plain stamp shoes (P ≥ 0.08). As no variables were determined to be significantly different between the two shoe types, data from all horses were combined to analyze the differences between the barefoot and shod state. Shoeing increased the maximum angle of the right and left hocks (P ≤ 0.03) and the minimum angle of the left (P = 0.02) but not right hock (P = 0.23) relative to barefoot conditions. No differences in hock range of motion were observed in either hock. Lower AAEP lameness scores were observed in horses when shod compared with barefoot (P = 0.001). In conclusion, shoeing previously barefoot horses improved AAEP lameness scores and increased hock angles, regardless of the type of shoe. Horses are athletic animals whose quality of movement affects their ability to perform. Management of hooves can influence gait symmetry. Shoeing horses is an accepted standard of care for athletic animals. Here, we show that shoeing previously barefoot horses using industry accepted farriery protocols increased maximum hock angles at the trot and reduced lameness scores.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-17 PubMed ID: 36383438PubMed Central: PMC9838798DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac374Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research investigated whether shoeing previously barefoot horses would alter their gait and improve lameness scores. The team discovered that regardless of shoe type, shoeing led to an increase in hock angles and a reduction in lameness.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of shoeing on previously barefoot horses. The researchers hypothesized that shoeing these horses using regular shoes at their back hooves would lead to a more symmetrical gait, changes in the angles of hocks and range of motion, and better lameness scores when compared to using traditional shoes.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a gait symmetry analysis, a kinematic gait examination, and evaluated the horses’ lameness using the American Association for Equine Practitioner’s scoring system for 14 barefoot horses. They also noted the horses’ range of motion.
  • After this initial assessment, the horses received shoeing on their hind hooves with either three-quarter fullered shoes or plain stamp shoes, and a repeat of the testing occurred after 6 weeks and 12 weeks.
  • The resulting data from shod and barefoot conditions were compared for each horse. Statistical analysis was done to reveal any significant differences.

Findings

  • The study concluded that shoeing did not create any observable differences in terms of gait symmetry, hock angles, range of motion, or lameness scores when comparing the effects of fullered and plain stamp shoes.
  • However, when combining data from all horses and contrasting the shod state to the barefoot state, shoeing was seen to increase the maximum angle of the right and left hocks, and reduce lameness scores.
  • The minimal angle of the left hock also increased but not for the right hock.
  • The hock range of motion did not display any changes in either hock following shoeing.

Conclusion

The researchers concluded that the type of shoe used for previously barefoot horses doesn’t appear to affect their gait or lameness scores. However, shoeing as a practice led to improvements in lameness scores and increased hock angles. These findings may have implications for the care and management of athletic horses, suggesting potential benefits to their performance after shoeing.

Cite This Article

APA
Panos KE, Morgan K, Gately R, Wilkinson J, Uden A, Reed SA. (2022). Short Communication: changes in gait after 12 wk of shoeing in previously barefoot horses. J Anim Sci, 101, skac374. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac374

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 101
PII: skac374

Researcher Affiliations

Panos, Katelyn E
  • Foxibary Forge and Farriery, Brooklyn, CT, 06234, USA.
Morgan, Kristin
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Gately, Rachael
  • Department of Environmental and Population Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
Wilkinson, Julia
  • Department of Environmental and Population Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
Uden, Alexandra
  • Department of Environmental and Population Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
Reed, Sarah A
  • Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Gait
  • Gait Analysis
  • Shoes
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Horse Diseases

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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