Mata Fernando, Franca Inês, Araújo José, Paixão Gustavo, Lesniak Kirsty, Cerqueira Joaquim Lima
Center for Research in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Sep 17;14(18):2697. doi: 10.3390/ani14182697.
Hoof trimming and shoeing determine the horse's hoof shape and balance. Hoof conformation plays a crucial role in limb biomechanics and can consequently prevent or predispose to injury. This study investigated the relationship between the morphometric characteristics of the horse's hoof, specifically, the dorsal hoof wall angle (DHWA), the coronet band circumference (CBC), and lameness in 73 horses categorised as undertaking either show jumping, dressage, or riding school activities. Results from logistic regression indicated that horses with either a combination of acute DHWA with large CBC, or more upright feet with larger DHWA and smaller CBC have higher probabilities of lameness. Show jumping and dressage horses showed a higher prevalence of lameness. Hoof morphometry should be monitored, and podiatric interventions should be regularly scheduled for the maintenance of correct hoof conformation to prevent injury. This study suggests that an aligned hoof-pastern axis managed by a DHWA of around 50 degrees may prevent lameness, with special emphasis on horses in dressage and show jumping activities. On the other hand, we can also speculate that the disturbed axis alignment of DHWA may be a cause of lameness.
蹄部修剪和钉蹄决定了马蹄的形状和平衡。蹄部形态在肢体生物力学中起着关键作用，因此可能预防或引发损伤。本研究调查了73匹从事场地障碍赛、盛装舞步或马术学校活动的马匹的蹄部形态特征，特别是背侧蹄壁角（DHWA）、蹄冠带周长（CBC）与跛行之间的关系。逻辑回归结果表明，急性DHWA与大CBC组合，或蹄部更直立、DHWA大且CBC小的马匹跛行概率更高。场地障碍赛和盛装舞步马匹的跛行患病率更高。应监测蹄部形态测量，并定期安排足病干预措施以维持正确的蹄部形态，预防损伤。本研究表明，由约50度的DHWA管理的对齐蹄-系骨轴可能预防跛行，特别强调盛装舞步和场地障碍赛活动中的马匹。另一方面，我们也可以推测DHWA的轴对齐紊乱可能是跛行的一个原因。
