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The effect of flat horseshoes, raised heels and lowered heels on the biomechanics of the equine hoof assessed by finite element analysis (FEA).
Abstract: The biomechanical effects of lowering and raising the heels were studied using a finite element (FE) computer model of the equine hoof capsule consisting of 18,635 finite elements. A static load of 3000 N was distributed to nodes of the inner hoof wall (80%) according to the suspension of the coffin bone, 20% loaded sole and frog. When loaded the FE hoof capsules showed the following deformations: the proximal dorsal wall moves back, the quarters flare to the side and sole and frog perform a downward movement. Stresses are high in the material surrounding the quarter nails, in the heels and in the proximal dorsal wall. Three types of horseshoes were simulated, a regular shoe with flat branches, a shoe with 5 degrees raised heels and a shoe with 5 degrees lowered heels. Raising the heels resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) low stress and displacement values. The lowered heels model calculated highest stress and displacement values and the results of the FE model with the regular horseshoe were found in between.
Publication Date: 2000-05-10 PubMed ID: 10803106DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2000.00263.xGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article investigates how different types of horseshoes—flat, raised heels, and lowered heels—affect the biomechanics, like stress and displacement, of a horse’s hoof. The study used a computer model to simulate the trifecta of horseshoes and observed various impacts on the hoof’s functions.
Research Methodology
- The study used a finite element computer model of an equine hoof capsule which consisted of 18,635 elements to closely mimic the mechanics of a real horse’s hoof.
- For the simulation, a static load of 3000 N was distributed, 80% to the inner hoof wall, according to the suspension of the coffin bone, and 20% to loaded sole and frog. These proportions were designed to mimic a realistic distribution of weight on the hoof.
- Three types of horseshoes were used in the simulation: a regular one with flat branches, another with 5 degrees raised heels, and the last one with 5 degrees lowered heels.
Findings
- When under load, the simulated hoof experienced several movements: the proximal dorsal wall (the front half of the hoof) retracted, the quarters (side sections of the hooves) flared sideways, and the sole and frog (bottom of the hoof) performed a downward movement.
- Stresses were observed to be high in the material surrounding the quarter nails, in the heels, and in the proximal dorsal wall.
- Significant differences were observed in the impact of the three different shoe types. The raised heel shoe resulted in considerably lower stress and displacement than the other two.
- In contrast, the lowering of the heels resulted in the highest levels of stress and displacement in the model. The regular flat horseshoe model resulted in moderate stress and displacement values, falling between the raised and lowered heel outcomes.
Implications
- The research suggests that the use of raised heel horseshoes may reduce stress on certain parts of a horse’s hoof, potentially lowering the risk of injury or discomfort.
- In contrast, horseshoes with lowered heels may pose a higher risk of causing undue stress and displacement on horses’ hooves.
Cite This Article
APA
Hinterhofer C, Stanek C, Haider H.
(2000).
The effect of flat horseshoes, raised heels and lowered heels on the biomechanics of the equine hoof assessed by finite element analysis (FEA).
J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, 47(2), 73-82.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.2000.00263.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria. Christine.Hinterhofer@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Computer Simulation
- Finite Element Analysis
- Foot Diseases / physiopathology
- Foot Diseases / therapy
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / therapy
- Models, Biological
- Shoes
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Harrison SM, Whitton RC, Stover SM, Symons JE, Cleary PW. A Coupled Biomechanical-Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Model for Horse Racing Tracks. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:766748.
- Ajuda IGG, Battini M, Stilwell GT. The role of claw deformation and claw size on goat lameness. Vet Anim Sci 2019 Dec;8:100080.
- Deeming LE, Beausoleil NJ, Stafford KJ, Webster JR, Staincliffe M, Zobel G. The Development of a Hoof Conformation Assessment for Use in Dairy Goats. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 14;9(11).
- Strickson EC, Hutchinson JR, Wilkinson DM, Falkingham PL. Can skeletal surface area predict in vivo foot surface area?. J Anat 2020 Jan;236(1):72-84.
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