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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2006; 172(1); 58-66; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.03.008

The effect of hoof trimming on radiographic measurements of the front feet of normal Warmblood horses.

Abstract: The understanding of the normal position of the third phalanx (P3) and the distal sesamoid bone in relation to the size and shape of the hoof capsule in sound horses is helpful in the diagnosis of equine foot lameness. Some measurements on radiographs used to define the position of the pedal bone within the hoof capsule are significantly influenced by hoof trimming and the height of the withers. In this study, the front hooves of 40 Warmblood horses were radiographed twice, eight weeks apart, both before and after their hooves were trimmed by an experienced farrier. Using the software programme Metron PX, 22 parameters on the lateromedial view and 16 parameters on the dorsopalmar view were measured and the effect of hoof trimming and height of the withers were calculated, respectively. Some of the hoof parameters showed mild positive correlation with the height of the withers. In 70% of the horses the left hoof capsule and P3 were significantly larger than the right. Hoof trimming had a remarkable influence on hoof conformation, especially for parameters in the toe region. Of all the measurements that describe the position of the third phalanx (P3) in relation to the hoof capsule, the distances between the distal tip of P3 to the solar surface of the foot, P3 to the tip of the toe and P3 to the point of break-over showed the greatest differences before and after trimming. The database of the present study can be used by farriers and veterinarians as a guideline for routine and corrective shoeing of Warmblood horses.
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Publication Date: 2006-06-15 PubMed ID: 16772132DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.03.008Google 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 article investigates how hoof trimming affects the anatomical measurements of Warmblood horses’ front hooves, as seen on radiographs. It demonstrates that some measurements defining the position of certain hoof bones are significantly affected by trimming and the height of the animal’s withers.

Research Methodology

  • The study focused on the front hooves of 40 Warmblood horses, chosen for their common use in equestrian sports.
  • Each horse’s hooves were radiographed twice in an interval of eight weeks: once before and once after hoof trimming performed by a professional farrier.
  • A software programme called Metron PX was utilized for determining specific measurements on these radiographs, giving 22 parameters from a lateromedial (side) view and 16 parameters from a dorsopalmar (front) view of each hoof.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that several hoof measurements correlated mildly with the height of the horse’s withers (the highest part of the back at the base of the neck). This suggests that a horse’s general size might somewhat influence hoof format.
  • In 70% of the horses studied, the left hoof capsule and the third phalanx (P3 – the most distal bone of the hoof) were significantly larger than their counterparts on the right.
  • Hoof trimming was found to have a considerable impact on hoof conformation, particularly in the toe region.
  • Of all position descriptions for the P3 in relation to the hoof capsule, the distances from the distal tip of P3 to the solar surface (bottom) of the foot, from P3 to the tip of the toe, and from P3 to the break-over point (the pivot point where the horse’s hoof initiates motion and raises off the ground) exhibited the most significant differences before and after trimming.

Implications

  • The findings of this study can assist farriers and veterinarians in devising better hoof-care strategies for Warmblood horses by providing a reference database.
  • Taking into account variations in conformation after hoof trimming might improve routine and corrective shoeing practices which can directly influence the horse’s movement, health, and performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Kummer M, Geyer H, Imboden I, Auer J, Lischer C. (2006). The effect of hoof trimming on radiographic measurements of the front feet of normal Warmblood horses. Vet J, 172(1), 58-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.03.008

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1090-0233
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 172
Issue: 1
Pages: 58-66

Researcher Affiliations

Kummer, Martin
  • Equine Hospital, VETSUISSE Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. mkummer@vetclinics.unizh.ch
Geyer, Hans
    Imboden, Isabel
      Auer, Jörg
        Lischer, Christoph

          MeSH Terms

          • Analysis of Variance
          • Animals
          • Biomechanical Phenomena
          • Forelimb
          • Hoof and Claw / diagnostic imaging
          • Hoof and Claw / growth & development
          • Hoof and Claw / surgery
          • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
          • Horse Diseases / surgery
          • Horses / physiology
          • Horses / surgery
          • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
          • Lameness, Animal / surgery
          • Radiography

          Citations

          This article has been cited 23 times.
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