Does Equine Hoof Shape Have an Effect On Soundness?

As published at The Horse.com, Sue Dyson, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FRCVS, head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England presented her study at the 12th Congress of The World Equine Veterinary Association.

Key findings from the study were:

Key findings of the study were:

• In 22% of horses that were lame on one foot, the lame foot was taller and more upright foot than the nonlame foot;
• In 10% of horses that were lame on one foot, the lame foot had a long toe and a low, collapsed heel compared with the nonlame foot;
• The shape of the coronary band was different between lame and nonlame feet: Lame feet had a more concave contour of the coronary band; and
• Lack of parallel alignment of the horn tubules and divergent growth ring orientation were associated with chronic lameness.

From: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19421

Be Sociable, Share!

•