Changes in location of centre of pressure and hoof-unrollment pattern in relation to an 8-week shoeing interval in the horse.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

In order to optimise shoeing and shoeing conditions, it is essential to know how the horse adapts to a common shoeing interval.

OBJECTIVES

To measure changes in location of the centre of pressure (CoP) and hoof-unrollment pattern during a shoeing interval and to assess whether these changes in CoP result directly from changes in hoof conformation or are also influenced by compensatory mechanisms.

METHODS

Eighteen horses were trotted over a pressure-force measurement system shortly after shoeing and 8 weeks later. The position of the CoP was measured and also predicted using calculations based on changes in hoof conformation.

RESULTS

The measured shift in CoP was less than calculated. This difference was largest in the hind feet. The hoof-unrollment pattern stayed basically the same in the front feet, but in the hind feet there was a substantial lateral shift of the trajectory of the CoP.

CONCLUSIONS

Horses can compensate, to a certain extent, for changes in hoof conformation that develop during 8 weeks on shoes. As the capacity to compensate is less in the forelimbs, the relative increase in loading of these limbs during a shoeing interval is larger than in the hindlimbs.

POTENTIAL RELEVANCE

This study provides essential basic data for the development of science-based shoeing techniques.