Investigation of forelimb hoof wall strains and hoof shape in unshod horses exercised on a treadmill at various speeds and gaits

Bellenzani, Maria Célia Ramos; Merritt, Jonathan S.; Clarke, Sandy; Davies, Helen M.S.

doi:10.2460/ajvr.73.11.1735

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Similarly, the side with the flatter foot is loaded more in horses [ 18 ]. Because the hoof is a dynamic structure that responds to its loading environment [ 19 , 20 ], hoof shape might be indicative for long-term loading and for loading distribution higher up the limb. As a proxy for hoof shape, we used dorsal hoof wall angle because hoof dimensions respond as one structure which makes foot width, heel angle and dorsal wall angles all interrelated [ 18 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A horse’s locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb

2017

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IntroductionGround reaction forces in sound horses with asymmetric hooves show systematic differences in the horizontal braking force and relative timing of break-over. The Center Of Pressure (COP) path quantifies the dynamic load distribution under the hoof in a moving horse. The objective was to test whether anatomical asymmetry, quantified by the difference in dorsal wall angle between the left and right forelimbs, correlates with asymmetry in the COP path between these limbs. In addition, repeatability of the COP path was investigated.MethodsA larger group (n = 31) visually sound horses with various degree of dorsal hoof wall asymmetry trotted three times over a pressure mat. COP path was determined in a hoof-bound coordinate system. A relationship between correlations between left and right COP paths and degree of asymmetry was investigated.ResultsUsing a hoof-bound coordinate system made the COP path highly repeatable and unique for each limb. The craniocaudal patterns are usually highly correlated between left and right, but the mediolateral patterns are not. Some patterns were found between COP path and dorsal wall angle but asymmetry in dorsal wall angle did not necessarily result in asymmetry in COP path and the same could be stated for symmetry.ConclusionThis method is a highly sensitive method to quantify the net result of the interaction between all of the forces and torques that occur in the limb and its inertial properties. We argue that changes in motor control, muscle force, inertial properties, kinematics and kinetics can potentially be picked up at an early stage using this method and could therefore be used as an early detection method for changes in the musculoskeletal apparatus.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A horse’s locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb

2017

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“…This hoof shape is typical of navicular cases [10]. Although the hoof can twist, torque, flex, and expand under varying impact and loading forces over uneven ground surfaces [8,11], its capability to correctly process these energy waves minimizes foot pathologies. The somatosensory system detects and responds to such forces, becoming an important contributor to sole responses, including growth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hoof Capability of Barefoot-Kept Horses and Ponies Walking over Artificial Environments: An Anatomical and Radiological Study

Albanozzo,

Borg,

Camilleri

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Hoof capability of domesticated, barefoot-kept horses and ponies traversing artificial environments remains undocumented. In this study, four equines were walked in-hand for 16 days, covering a distance of 50 km, over three solid surfaces. Subsequently, we conducted an assessment of hoof morphology. Hooves (n = 16) were radiographed before and after the trial, spaced 3 weeks apart, for sole depth measurement. External measurements of feet were recorded 24 hours before day 1 and repeated on day 9. Radiographs revealed increased sole depth in 11 hooves, notably at the palmar process, and some misalignment in certain phalanges. On day 9, after a 36-km distance, all hooves exhibited calloused soles and frogs, and required trimming. The front hooves of the horses had a pronounced, natural concavity. Hard surfaces were found to stimulate sole growth, with a portion of sole thickness preferentially accumulating within the dermal zone. Collectively, the maintenance of short trimming cycles to prevent misalignment, minimize hoof-wall loading and maintain a load-sharing system, may be necessary for barefoot-kept horses considering their rapid growth rate.

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“…A treadmill is also small, elevated, and enclosed, therefore similar to loading into a trailer; the first work on a treadmill can often be challenging. Because the treadmill is commonly used to investigate poor performance problems and perform upper-airway dynamic endoscopies (Bayly et al, 2019;Franklin et al, 2006), the training of the first and subsequent work on a treadmill becomes increasingly important for horses ' owners, handlers, trainers, and veterinarians. A treadmill is also a popular tool in equine gait analysis (Serra Bragança et al, 2018;Stutz et al, 2018), as well as lameness (Bachi et al, 2018;Byström et al, 2018) and hoof balance (Bellenzani et al, 2012;Kau et al, 2020) evaluation, or horses' rehabilitation (Nankervis et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill: The effect of previous loading into a trailer

Maśko

Dorota

Szarska

et al. 2022

Animal Science Journal

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A horse learning about the entrance to narrow, cage-shaped places may be challenging both for the horses as well as for the owners. For some behaviors, such as loading into a trailer or climbing onto a treadmill, the final behavioral goal can be achieved by working towards it in stages. This study compared the successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill with horses hardly ever loaded (HE L) and regularly loaded (R L) into a trailer. Fourteen horses were divided into two groups (HE L n = 7 and R L n = 7) based on their experiences of entering into a trailer. All horses were taught using four stages of successive approximation. The average lead

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Investigation of forelimb hoof wall strains and hoof shape in unshod horses exercised on a treadmill at various speeds and gaits

Abstract: In unshod horses, forelimb hoof wall strains were affected by site and gait, but not by discrete changes in TA; PHC did not change in response to moderate regular exercise. The pattern of hoof loading was consistent despite significant changes in TA.

Cited by 12 publications

References 26 publications

A horse’s locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb

A horse’s locomotor signature: COP path determined by the individual limb

Hoof Capability of Barefoot-Kept Horses and Ponies Walking over Artificial Environments: An Anatomical and Radiological Study

Successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill: The effect of previous loading into a trailer

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