The effect of gallop training on hoof angle in thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: The economic impact of soundness problems in racehorses is very high and low hoof angle at the toe has been associated with a lack of soundness. However, it is not clear what environmental and management factors might contribute to a low hoof angle. Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that the hooves of racehorses become flatter when in gallop training, as well as to determine factors contributing to this trend. Methods: Weekly hoof measurements were taken with a hoof gauge from 45 Thoroughbred racehorses; 4 Thoroughbred show horses kept in consistent conditions and shod by the same farrier as some of the racehorses; and 6 unshod free-ranging horses. A further 15 horses were measured twice in one day to determine the repeatability of the method. Results: Repeatability coefficients were 0.31 degrees for the left hoof and 0.37 degrees for the right. Racehorses in training showed a significant decrease in hoof angle over time while free ranging horses and show horses did not. Free-ranging horses had a significantly lower angle in winter (wet) compared with summer (dry) in both left (P = 0.040) and right (P = 0.017). Show horses had no significant change in hoof angle. Racehorses that had a period of rest during the experiment (n = 11) showed a decrease in hoof angle during training and an increase over their rest period for both hooves (P = 0.005 for the left hoof, P = 0.0009 for the right). Conclusions: Training for fast exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses is associated with a reduction in hoof angle and wet pasture conditions may also be associated with a reduced hoof angle in free-ranging horses. Conclusions: Gallop exercise has a potentially large effect on hoof angle and therefore, a change in angle should be expected to occur in racehorses starting fast exercise work. Hence management of horses with abnormally low hoof angles may require an adaptation to their training regime in order to minimise this effect.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402461DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05582.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the impact of gallop training and environmental factors on the hoof angle of Thoroughbred racehorses, discovering that fast exercise is associated with decreased hoof angle.
Research Objective
The main aim of this study was to explore the theory that frequent gallop training in Thoroughbred racehorses could result in flatter hoofs. It was driven by the economic repercussions of soundness issues in racehorses and the associated link to low hoof angles.
Methods Employed
- 45 Thoroughbred racehorses, 4 show horses, and 6 free-ranging horses were used for this study. The show horses were maintained under consistent conditions and administered the same farrier as the racehorses.
- Using a hoof gauge, weekly hoof measurements were taken for comparative analysis.
- In order to determine the reliability of this method, additional measurement was done twice in a single day on 15 separate horses.
Research Findings
- The reliability of the measurement method was verified, with repeatability coefficients of 0.31 and 0.37 degrees for the left and right hoofs respectively.
- Over time, racehorses under constant gallop training exhibited a significant decrease in hoof angle. However, this was not observed in the case of the show horses and the free-ranging horses.
- Furthermore, the hoof angle of free-ranging horses differed significantly with seasonal changes – lower in winter (wet conditions) compared to summer (dry conditions).
- Any patterns of change detected in the hoof angles of show horses were deemed insignificant.
- Racehorses allowed a rest period during the study showed a decrease in hoof angle during training but an increase during rest intervals.
Conclusions and Implications
Fast, gallop exercise induces a significant impact on hoof angle, leading to a conclusion that Thoroughbred racehorses starting fast exercise work can expect a change in hoof angle. Managing horses with abnormally low hoof angles might demand adjustments to their training regimen to minimize this effect. Wet pastures might also contribute to a reduced hoof angle in free-ranging horses. The finding highlights an important angle to consider for the prevention of soundness problems in racehorses.
Cite This Article
APA
Peel JA, Peel MB, Davies HM.
(2007).
The effect of gallop training on hoof angle in thoroughbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 431-434.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05582.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Reproducibility of Results
- Running / physiology
- Seasons
- Toe Joint / anatomy & histology
- Toe Joint / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ. Hoof Unevenness in Juvenile Quarter Horses During First 6 Months of Training.. J Equine Vet Sci 2023 Jul;126:104494.
- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
- Holmes TQ, Brown AF. Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 5;12(9).
- Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop.. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Carnall H, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Influence of Speed, Ground Surface and Shoeing Condition on Hoof Breakover Duration in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 3;11(9).
- Malone SR, Davies HMS. Changes in Hoof Shape During a Seven-Week Period When Horses Were Shod Versus Barefoot.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 22;9(12).
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