Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How hoof shape differs between lame and non-lame horses
By Dyson, Sue J et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2011·Centre for Equine Studies, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: External characteristics of the lateral aspect of the hoof differ between non-lame and lame horses.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of horses was examined to see how their hooves looked different when they were lame compared to when they were not. Researchers found that lame horses had larger angles in their hoof walls and heels, and their hoof growth patterns showed signs of long-term issues. During a pre-purchase exam, if a horse has a noticeable difference in the height of the hoof's coronary band (the area where the hoof meets the leg), it might indicate past lameness. Understanding these hoof characteristics can help potential buyers assess the horse's suitability and risk of future lameness.
People also search for: horse hoof lameness signs · pre-purchase exam horse hoof health · how to tell if a horse is lame
Abstract
During a pre-purchase examination (PPE) there is always a debate about how clinical findings of the hoof different from ideal should be interpreted in relation to future lameness risk and/or unsuitability of the horse for the potential purchaser. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare external angular measurements, linear ratios and hoof capsule characteristics of non-lame and lame feet. Photographs of feet from 300 horses with foot pain and 25 non-lame horses were analysed. Hoof wall, heel and coronary band angles and hoof wall length and height, weight-bearing length, coronary band length and height of the coronary band at dorsal and palmar locations were measured and expressed as linear ratios. Mean hoof wall, heel and coronary band angles were larger in lame compared with non-lame feet; only the ratio of dorsal to palmar coronary band heights and the shape of the coronary band were significantly different between lame and non-lame horses. Growth rings were divergent and horn tubules were non-parallel in lameness of >3 months. At a PPE, a larger ratio of dorsal to palmar coronary band heights in one limb may be indicative of previous lameness in that foot. Changes in coronary band shape and divergent growth rings and horn tubules would suggest a longer duration.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21169041/