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Biomechanical Consequences of Uneven Forefeet and Hoof Conformation in Riding Horses
Author(s) -
Wiggers N,
Nauwelaerts S,
Bool S,
Hobbs S,
Back W
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12267_158
Subject(s) - hoof , forefoot , lameness , anatomy , warmblood , laminitis , horse , medicine , biology , surgery , paleontology , complication
The aims of this study were to quantify the morphological differences between uneven feet, and to evaluate the biomechanical locomotor consequences compared to horses with even feet, considered as normal. Methods Eight anatomical parameters that quantified conformational differences in the distal forelimbs of horses with a varied range of hoof asymmetries (n = 36, of which 2 were lame) were compared using discriminant analysis. Forefeet were subjectively scored for unevenness by one clinician. Kinetics and distal limb kinematics of clinically sound horses (n = 34; the 2 lame horses were excluded) were collected at trot and compared between even (n = 13) versus uneven (n = 21) forefeet and between all feet when classified as flat, medium and upright using MANOVA / ANOVA . The relative influence of contralateral differences in hoof angle and of absolute hoof angle on functional parameters was analyzed by multiple regression (P<0.05). Results Unevenness was best determined by the differences in dorsal hoof angle between the forefeet. In uneven footed horses, the flatter foot showed a significantly larger maximal horizontal braking and vertical ground reaction force, a larger vertical fetlock displacement and a suppler limb spring. A steeper hoof angle was linearly correlated with an earlier braking‐propulsion transition. No significant differences were found between individual flat, medium or upright feet. Conclusions The conformational differences between the forefeet were more important for loading characteristics than the individual foot conformation. The contralateral differences in vertical force could in fact imply an early, subclinical sign of lameness developing in the steeper forefoot, as these differences were smaller than those reported for subtle, clinically evident lamenesses. Ethical Animal Research H orse owners gave informed consent. Sources of funding: FWO grant to S . Nauwelaerts, R esearch G rant Q ualisys to S .J. Hobbs. Competing interests: none.