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Equine veterinary journal2018; 50(6); 809-817; doi: 10.1111/evj.12961

The development of hoof balance and landing preference in the post-natal period.

Abstract: Foals can follow the herd within hours of birth, but it has been shown that kinetic gait parameters and static balance still have to mature. However, development of dynamic balance has not been investigated. Objective: To objectively quantify landing and pressure pattern dynamics under the hoof during the first half year of life. Methods: Prospective, cohort study performed at a single stud farm. Methods: Pressure plate measurements at walk and trot from ten Dutch warmblood foals during the first 24 weeks of life were used to quantify toe-heel and medial-lateral hoof balance asymmetry indexes and to determine preferred landing strategy. Concurrently, radiographs of the tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints were taken at 4-6 weeks and after 6 months to check for osteochondrosis. A linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of time point, limb pair (front/hind), side (left/right) and osteochondrosis status of every foal. Results: At 25% of stance duration at walk, front limbs were more loaded in the heel region in weeks 6-20 (P≤0.04), the medial-lateral balance was more to the lateral side from week 6 onwards at both walk and trot (P≤0.04). Landing preference gradually changed in the same directions. Variability in pressure distribution decreased over time. (Subclinical) osteochondrosis did not influence any of the measured parameters. Conclusions: This study is limited by the relatively small sample size only containing one breed from a single stud farm. Conclusions: Dynamic hoof balance in new-born foals is more variable and less oriented towards the lateral side of the hoof and to the heel than in mature horses. This pattern changes gradually during the first weeks of life. Knowledge of this process is essential for the clinician when considering interventions in this area in early life.
© 2018 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2018-05-17 PubMed ID: 29679400PubMed Central: PMC6175397DOI: 10.1111/evj.12961Google 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 study investigates the development of dynamic balance and landing preference in newborn foals during their first 24 weeks of life. It found that dynamic hoof balance in newborn foals is variable and initially less oriented towards the lateral side and heel, but this pattern gradually changes as they mature.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The researchers aimed to objectively quantify landing and pressure pattern dynamics under the hoof of foals during their first half year of life. This was to understand the development and maturation of their dynamic balance.
  • This was achieved through a prospective cohort study conducted at a single stud farm, involving ten Dutch warmblood foals.
  • Data was collected using pressure plate measurements at walk and trot, during foals’ first 24 weeks. Toe-heel and medial-lateral hoof balance asymmetry indexes were used to determine preferred landing strategy.
  • In addition, radiographs of the foals’ tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints were taken at 4-6 weeks intervals and after 6 months for osteochondrosis checks.
  • A statistical model (linear mixed model) was used to determine effects of time point, limb pair (front/hind), side (left/right) and each foal’s osteochondrosis status.

Key Findings

  • The research found an evident pattern over time: at 25% of stance duration at walk, front limbs were more loaded in the heel region during the 6-20 week period.
  • The medial-lateral balance was found to be more towards the lateral side from week 6 onwards at both walk and trot.
  • The landing preference of the foals gradually changed in the same direction as they matured.
  • The variability in pressure distribution decreased over time, indicating a development towards a more stable landing and balance.
  • No influence of (Subclinical) osteochondrosis was found on the measured parameters. It indicates that the dynamic balance development is seemingly not impacted by osteochondrosis.

Conclusions and Limitations

  • One of the main conclusions from the study is that the dynamic hoof balance in newborn foals is initially more variable and less oriented towards the lateral side of the hoof and to the heel than in mature horses. This pattern gradually changes during the early weeks of life.
  • This knowledge could potentially be essential for veterinarians when considering interventions in this area of foals’ early life.
  • However, the researchers also acknowledge the limitations of their study: the relatively small sample size and that it included only one breed from a single stud farm.

Cite This Article

APA
Gorissen BMC, Serra Bragança FM, Wolschrijn CF, Back W, van Weeren PR. (2018). The development of hoof balance and landing preference in the post-natal period. Equine Vet J, 50(6), 809-817. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12961

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 6
Pages: 809-817

Researcher Affiliations

Gorissen, B M C
  • Department of Pathobiology, Anatomy and Physiology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Serra Bragança, F M
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Wolschrijn, C F
  • Department of Pathobiology, Anatomy and Physiology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Back, W
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
van Weeren, P R
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn / physiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Gait / physiology
  • Hoof and Claw / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Linear Models
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Postural Balance / physiology
  • Prospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D. Distal sagittal forelimb conformation in young Walloon horses: Radiographic assessment and its relationship with osteochondral fragments. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311965.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311965pubmed: 39392827google scholar: lookup
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