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Simple SummaryHoof shape is linked to an increased risk of lameness in the horse and has been shown to adapt to different loading patterns associated with the workload and shoeing interval length. This study investigated how different measurements of the hoof wall and the hoof pastern axis angle changed with work in riding school horses, across a four to six week shoeing/trimming interval. The dorsal hoof wall, and weight bearing and coronary band lengths reduced in size post-shoeing/trimming. This, combined with the increase to the inner and outside hoof wall heights on the digital images despite trimming, suggests that shoeing/trimming increased the vertical orientation of the hoof during the shoeing interval investigated. At the same time, increases in the dorsal hoof wall angle, heel angle, and heel height occurred, promoting a more correct dorsopalmar balance. The changes observed are consistent with the workload of the horses studied. The results suggest that a regular farriery interval of no more than six weeks could prevent excess loading of the structures within the hoof, reducing long term injury risks through cumulative, excessive loading in riding school horses.AbstractVariation in equine hoof conformation between farriery interventions lacks research, despite associations with distal limb injuries. This study aimed to determine linear and angular hoof variations pre- and post-farriery within a four to six week shoeing/trimming interval. Seventeen hoof and distal limb measurements were drawn from lateral and anterior digital photographs from 26 horses pre- and post-farriery. Most lateral view variables changed significantly. Reductions of the dorsal wall, and weight bearing and coronary band lengths resulted in an increased vertical orientation of the hoof. The increased dorsal hoof wall angle, heel angle, and heel height illustrated this further, improving dorsopalmar alignment. Mediolateral measurements of coronary band and weight bearing lengths reduced, whilst medial and lateral wall lengths from the 2D images increased, indicating an increased vertical hoof alignment. Additionally, dorsopalmar balance improved. However, the results demonstrated that a four to six week interval is sufficient for a palmer shift in the centre of pressure, increasing the loading on acutely inclined heels, altering DIP angulation, and increasing the load on susceptible structures (e.g., DDFT). Mediolateral variable asymmetries suit the lateral hoof landing and unrollment pattern of the foot during landing. The results support regular (four to six week) farriery intervals for the optimal prevention of excess loading of palmar limb structures, reducing long-term injury risks through cumulative, excessive loading.

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Identification of influential conformational traits is an important aspect in choosing the most appropriate horse for a specific discipline with regards to both performance potential and career longevity. Symmetry of bilateral traits, both functional and non-functional, demonstrates the ability of an individual to display their genotypic quality through their phenotype. External trait symmetry has been linked to effective functioning and health of a number of internal organ systems. The identification of a relationship between bilateral trait symmetry and performance in the equine athlete could highlight important conformational indicators of potential future performance. Using Invicta metric callipers and a tape measure, direct measurements of 15 bilateral traits, functional (limb) and non-functional (facial), were obtained from 18 advanced event horses (AdE) and 15 event horses proven incapable of reaching advanced level (NIE). Tests of difference were performed to determine differences in asymmetry between the two populations for individual traits and for identification of the mean total asymmetry (MTA) of the two populations. The AdE group demonstrated statistically lower asymmetry for a number of functional (metacarpal length and width, P≤0.05; fore proximal phalanx length, P≤0.05) and non-functional (nostril length, P≤0.001; pinna length, P≤0.05) traits. Furthermore, the AdE group demonstrated significantly lower MTA (P≤0.001) than the NIE. Where significance was not identified, all but one functional trait still demonstrated a trend for lower asymmetry in the AdE group. From the results, it is suggested that asymmetry levels have future potential to be used as an indicator of performance potential. The size of the mean asymmetry values being considered, further imply that the differences between the performance of the two groups cannot be as a result of limb biomechanics alone and that other more intricate biological disruptions, for example neurological development, may also be reflected by the trait asymmetries.