Does Equine Hoof Shape Have an Effect on Soundness?

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc
January 10 2012, Article # 19421


Could it be? A potential predisposing factor for lameness that can be seen with our very eyes? According to one British researcher, this dream could be a reality. A recent study revealed that certain hoof shapes and characteristics can be associated with chronic lameness, while others point to a sound horse.

"Despite being widely accepted that abnormal foot conformation may be associated with lameness, there is a paucity of evidence-based information concerning foot size and shape and lameness; the purpose of this study was to photographically document the foot shape and external hoof characteristics of lame and nonlame horses," said Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FRCVS, head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England. Dyson presented her study at the 12th Congress of The World Equine Veterinary Association, held Nov. 2-6, 2011, in Hyderabad, India.

Researchers photographed, analyzed, and compared the front feet of 25 nonlame horses in full work to 427 feet from 300 lame horses. Causes for lameness were variable and included injury to the collateral ligament of the coffin joint, injuries of the deep digital flexor tendon, osteoarthritis, and foot pain of undiagnosed cause, among others...

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