DOCSLIB.ORG

Common Hoof Problems Bruises, Abscesses, Quarter Cracks, and More Can Plague Your Horse’S Hooves

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Common Hoof Problems Bruises, Abscesses, Quarter Cracks, and More Can Plague Your Horse’S Hooves Fact Sheet Sponsored by: Common Hoof Problems Bruises, abscesses, quarter cracks, and more can plague your horse’s hooves Healthy hooves are paramount to a thin soles, hoof imbalances that create ab- horse’s soundness and well-being. And re- normal impact on one side of the hoof, in- gardless of your horse’s use, he’s likely go- advertent horseshoe contact on the sole, or ing to encounter a few foot issues in his from riding over rocky terrain. Trimming/ lifetime. Below are some of the more com- shoeing changes and hoof pads might help mon hoof problems you might see and how protect your horse’s feet from bruising. to identify, manage, and prevent them. Hoof abscesses can occur following bruising or from penetrating wounds; these Hoof Imbalance & Underrun Heels occur when bacteria get trapped beneath Hoof imbalances create unnatural stress- the hoof wall or sole and multiply. The es throughout the limb, potentially leading bacteria create exudate (pus), which builds to lameness.1 Some imbalances are tied to ST up and creates focal pressure. This can be conformational problems such as toeing in Y WE quite painful, and a horse is often reluctant IST or out, while others might be due to poor R to bear any weight on the affected foot. Ab- CH trimming and shoeing techniques. Hoof abscesses occur when bacteria get trapped scesses remain painful until the pus pocket To evaluate your horse’s hoof balance, between the laminae and the hoof wall or sole. drains and the pressure is relieved. stand him squarely on a flat surface to ex- will grow out with time. However, a crack The abscess might follow a path of least amine each hoof from the front, back, and often reflects underlying hoof imbalances resistance to drain at the heel bulb or along sides. Look at the slope of the toe and its and is painful if it reaches deep into the the coronary band, or it might rupture relationship to the pastern. Ideally, the toe hoof wall’s underlying sensitive tissues. To through the sole. Check for a smoldering should be parallel to the pastern (when prevent quarter cracks from forming, work abscess by pressing your finger on each seen from the side). If this axis is broken with your farrier to ensure that a horse’s heel bulb—feel for tissue softening and back, (the pastern is more upright than the toes are not left too long, that the hoof is note your horse’s pain response. Have your toe), it places significant stress on the re- balanced and shod (if needed) with ample veterinarian open an abscess at the white armost structures of the feet, including the heel support, and that the pastern and hoof line or under the sole from the bottom of navicular apparatus.3 Often, a broken-back axis are in similar alignment. the foot to establish drainage. Owners can hoof-pastern axis is accompanied by under- sometimes draw out an abscess by soaking run heels and long toes—termed long-toe/ Heel Soreness & Navicular Syndrome the affected foot twice daily in warm Ep- low heel (LTLH). Such hooves are prone to Many horses diagnosed with heel sore- som salts and applying poultice packs. chronic heel bruising, navicular disease, ness or navicular disease have an LTLH Another manifestation of deep tissue and/or deep digital flexor tendinitis.3 hoof configuration.4 Horses with certain bruising within the hoof is a corn, which Other imbalances such as club feet (high conformation flaws, such as upright pas- develops where the heel and bars (exten- heels and perhaps dished toes) or sheared terns and small feet, are predisposed to this sions of the hoof horn that wrap around heels (one heel higher than the other on the syndrome. However, incorrect trimming onto the sole) meet, often due to tightly same foot) might not be entirely correct- and shoeing practices can cause even hors- pinching horseshoes1 or persistent pres- able if they result from poor conformation. es with excellent feet to develop sore heels. sure from a loose or twisted shoe. Lame- Your veterinarian and farrier can distin- Prevention is critical; all attempts should ness often lingers for weeks or months guish between correctable imbalances and be made to avoid an LTLH configuration or until a corn grows out. those that can only be minimized and trim/ a broken-back hoof-pastern axis. Treatment shoe to correct what they can and manage often includes heel support and backing up A Close or Hot Nail others so the horse can stay sound and ser- or rolling the toes to ease hoof breakover, A horseshoe nail driven too close to the viceable despite suboptimal conformation. which is the duration of time between heel horse’s sensitive laminae can incite inflam- lift off and toe lift off from the ground. mation and pain. A horse with a close nail Quarter Cracks (often said to have been “nail-quicked”) A quarter crack or other hoof cracks can Bruises, Abscesses, and Corns might show immediate discomfort and a occur at any time, are usually minor, and Hoof bruising occurs for many reasons: day or two later begin pointing the foot or This Fact Sheet may be reprinted and distributed in this exact form for educational purposes only in print or electronically. It may not be used for commercial purposes in print or electronically or republished on a website, forum, or blog. For more horse health information on this and other topics visit www.TheHorse.com. Published by The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care, © Copyright 2011 Blood-Horse Publications. Contact editorial@TheHorse.com. Fact Sheet shifting weight from limb to limb to relieve Take-Home Message of Lameness in the Horse. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2003; pp. 250-262. building pressure. The bottom line for ensuring your horse 2. Floyd A. and Mansmann RA. Equine Podiatry. Saun- Nails driven high up or too close to the has healthy hooves is to work with your ders, St Louis, 2007; pp. 43, 113. center of the foot might create a hot nail farrier to provide regular, proper trimming 3. Stashak T. Adams’ Lameness in Horses. Lippingcott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2002; pp. 1107-1120. condition. Horses with thin hoof walls are and shoeing, practice daily hoof cleaning 4. Higgins AJ and Snyder J, editors. The Equine Manual, more at risk of a hot nail. and provide a clean environment for your 2nd edition. Elsevier-Saunders, Philadelphia, 2006; pp. Hot nails are treated by removing the of- horse to live in, and offer your horse rou- 972-996. 5. Pollitt CC. Color Atlas of the Horse’s Foot. Mosby, fending nail immediately. The shoe might tine exercise. Cooperative efforts between Barcelona, 1995; pp. 53-60, 109-169. also be removed, after which a farrier or horse owner, veterinarian, and farrier will Further reading and free horse health vet might dig out the nail hole to allow help your horse’s feet stay healthy. h e-newsletters: www.TheHorse.com/ drainage and apply antiseptic medication. Lameness-hoof REFERENCES: Authored by Nancy Loving, DVM; Thrush, White Line Disease, Gravel, 1. Ross MW and Dyson SJ. Diagnosis and Management reviewed by: Amy Rucker, DVM. and Canker Wet environments or poor hygiene can lead to anaerobic (grows in the absence of oxygen) bacterial growth within the frog tissues and/or clefts of the frog. The black- ened decay of degenerating frog material is called thrush and is accompanied by a foul smell. If infection penetrates into deeper hoof layers, a horse can become lame.3 Owners can help prevent thrush by exer- cising daily hoof care and working with a farrier to correct any underlying hoof im- balances. For more information on treating and managing thrush, see www.TheHorse. com/pdf/ factsheets/thrush/thrush.pdf. Other microbial invasions of the foot in- clude white line disease or gravel—bacteria, fungi, or yeast invade areas of white line separation or a crack to create a smelly, painful infection within the sensitive hoof laminae. Canker is another hoof infection op stables are made, (of the foot’s horn-producing tissues) and T not born. That’s why invasive growth that requires aggressive they put their trust in the best surgical correction.5 It’s often confused trainers, veterinarians, farriers with thrush, and affected horses might be and products. Like the ® sound even when it’s growing deep into the Horseshoer’s Secret brand. foot’s structures. Certified farriers make a Pay diligent attention to hoof integrity difference. Highly skilled and and practice good hygiene to help prevent trained, certified American microbial hoof disease from occurring in Farriers Association members are among the best hoof care professionals in the business. your horse’s feet. Also ensure your horse Guaranteed to get results, Horseshoer’s Secret® products are the official products of the receives regular exercise and turnout to al- American Farriers Association. Choose the products trusted by the farriers that top low for natural hoof wear and to stimulate stables rely on. blood circulation in the hooves. R O D U C L P T A O I F C I T F H F E Laminitis O Laminitis results from mechanical im- pact and diffuse bruising; subsequent to metabolic conditions such as obesity, car- bohydrate overload; or unique events such as gastrointestinal disease, colic, or retained fetal membranes. See www. TheHorse. com/pdf/factsheets/ laminitis/laminitis. pdf for more details about laminitis. ©2011 Farnam Companies, Inc. 11-0317 Farnam, the Farnam logo, Horseshoer’s Secret and Your Partner in Horse Care are trademarks of Farnam Companies, Inc.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Introduction
    Whether you enjoy horses as they roam INTRODUCTION around the yard, depend on them for getting From the Ground Up your work done, or engage in competitive Grab hold of most any equine publication and you enthusiasts have wri�en and spoken about proper sports, keeping up with the latest in health can witness the excitement building around research horse and hoof care, much of their advice has been of the equine hoof. We have marveled at its simplistic dismissed until more recently. Discussions of sound advancements will help you enjoy them for design and intricate functions for decades, yet this hoof management practices are once again coming more productive years. latest, fresh information renews our respect and to the forefront in the equine sports industry because enthusiasm for keeping those hooves healthy. Such lameness issues are so common and devastating to so facts surrounding hoof health and disease give us many top performance horses in the world. Careful an accurate perspective on what it takes to raise and study, observation and research is allowing us to have maintain healthy horses; the hooves are a window to horses that run faster, travel farther, jump higher, the horse’s state of health. We are steadily improving ride safer and live longer. Sharing this valuable in our horsemanship and making decisions which information with you is an honor and a privilege and keep our valuable partners from harm, allowing is part of an ongoing dedication to help horses stay or us to enjoy them for more years than we thought become healthier.
    [Show full text]
  • Barefoot in the Rodeo Big Leagues
    In this Issue: ™ Jordon peterson (Cont) ..... 2 Dave rabe ....................... 15 Healing Cracks .................. 2 Intro to Bar Wall ............. 16 From the editors ............... 3 shoe Contraction! ........... 17 eventing Akhal-Tekes ....... 4 Trimming Corner ............ 18 Dr. Bowker-Bone Loss ..... 7 Barefoot News ................ 21 A Day in the Life .............. 8 Order Form ..................... 21 Concave vs. Flat Feet ........ 9 Advertisers Corner .....23-24 Trimming into the Wind . 10 Online extras .............25-30 equine Frog p1 ............... 12 (Online Extras in PDF only) www.TheHorsesHoof.com News for Barefoot Hoofcare Issue 38 – spring 2010 Jordon peterson: Barefoot in the rodeo Big Leagues By Johnny Holder It becomes clear after speaking with Jordon that she is extremely confident in her barefoot his past December, Jordon Jae Peterson horse, and it is the kind of confidence that rode into rodeo history by becoming the comes only with experience. Jordon has ridden first barrel racer to compete at the pres- T barefoot horses almost half of her life. she and tigious Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on a Jester have successfully competed in arenas barefoot horse. When the dust settled, Jordon across the united states. They won the 2006 and her great horse Frenchmans Jester (AKA Barrel Futurities of America World Jester) finished in sixth place in the world Championships Futurity in Oklahoma City. standings. Their wins at professional rodeos include: win- They won the sixth go round, and placed in four Photo courtesy Jordon Peterson ning 1st in the deep sand footing at Odessa, more rounds. Their time of 13.72 in the sixth Texas; 1st at the Fort Worth stock show and round tied for the fourth fastest time recorded rodeo; 1st at ellensburg, Washington in the during the grueling ten day event.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Loading Upon Hoof Wall Growth and Hoof Shape in the Thoroughbred Foal
    The effect of loading upon hoof wall growth and hoof shape in the Thoroughbred foal by Simon John Curtis A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Central Lancashire in collaboration with Myerscough College February, 2017 Declaration Concurrent registration for two or more academic awards: I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other academic or professional institution. Material submitted for another award: I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission for an academic award and is solely my own work. Signature of Candidate; Type of Award; Doctor of Philosophy School; School of Sport and Wellbeing i Abstract The hoof wall is adapted to take most of the weight-bearing of the foot and is anisotropic and homogeneous. Foals appear to be born with symmetrical paired feet which by maturity are frequently unequal in angle and width. They stand within minutes of birth subjecting the hoof wall to loading. Hoof growth rate and hoof compression may be factors affecting hoof shape. The effect of conformation changes during maturation upon loading and differential hoof growth was unknown. The aims were to; quantify and evaluate the epidermal structure, hoof growth rate, hoof renewal, dorsal hoof wall angle, plastic hoof compression, and hoof loading, during paediatric development. Hoof growth rate, renewal, and hoof angle were recorded in foals (n=80) and weanlings/yearlings (n=12) and the hoof wall structure of histological samples of fetuses and paediatric foals (n=15) was determined.
    [Show full text]
  • Proper Basic Hoof Care
    October 2006 AG/Equine/2006-03pr Proper Basic Hoof Care Scott McKendrick, American Farriers Association Certified Farrier and USU Extension Coordinator of Equine and Small Acreage Programs Dr. Patricia Evans, Assistant Professor in ADVS at USU and Extension Equine Specialist Dr. Clell Bagley, USU Extension Veterinarian Equine hoof care is too often “out of sight, continue with the pointed out of mind.” However, horse owners must realize front hooves (Figure 1) that for maximum horse health and longevity, will deviate themselves through hoof and leg soundness, regular hoof care over time as they learn to is a must. This publication addresses the needs walk either toed out or and procedures for proper hoof care and shoeing. toed in, rather than being All horses need regular hoof care, but not all able to break straight over horses require shoeing. This information will the front of the toe. benefit horse owners by indicating what to look Figure 1. for in both proper trimming and shoeing. A quick trim squaring the toe and removing the pointed nature of the front hooves First Trimming and hind Foals should be trimmed for the first time hooves, as at one or two weeks of age. Not all foals are born necessary, will perfect in their hoof and leg structure, and even aid the foal for those that are, hoof care needs to start at an with correct leg early age to maintain correctness. Trying to conformation correct leg and hoof deviation after a horse is (Figure 2). A older than one year will usually cause more long- square toe will term damage than it will help.
    [Show full text]
  • The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Horse Care
    TO HORSE COMPLETE CARE GUIDE COMPLETE GUIDE TO COMPLETE GUIDE TO HORSE CARE Both novice and experienced horse caretakers will benefit from The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Horse Care. It’s a beautiful book with vital information, and it will be a great source of information for years to come. HORSE —From the Foreword by Doris Day Founder, The Doris Day Animal Foundation The horse is nature in its finest form. This book asks us to treat horses not as disposable machines, but as living, thinking, feeling animals who teach us to value relationships and take us on a never-ending journey of self improvement. Through horses, we discover our potential, we fuel our CARE dreams. No wonder they still deserve such honor in our modern times. —Pat Parelli Author, Natural Horse-Man-Ship Coauthor, Keeping a Horse the Natural Way A refreshing addition to every horse lover's library, The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Horse Care challenges readers to be responsible stewards of their horses. Erin Harty combines an interesting perspective on the horse's relationship with mankind with practical advice on compassionate care. —Cindy Hale Contributing editor, Horse Illustrated and horsechannel.com Author, Riding for the Blue; A Passion for Horses; Horse Sense and Nonsense erin harty and the Humane staff of Society the humane Press society of the united states erin harty and the staff of the humane society of the united states Erin Harty is a freelance writer and former moderator/administrator of The Chronicle of the Horse’s online discussion forums, which have more than 32,000 registered members.
    [Show full text]
  • Official HQC Study Guide
    General Information Horsemanship Quiz Challenge STUDY GUIDE HORSEMANSHIPUSHJA QUIZ CHALLENGE Enriching Horsemanship Knowledge 1 USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge • Enriching Horsemanship Knowledge Table of Contents ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY ..................................... 4 HORSE HEALTH ........................................................... 59 Musculoskeletal System .............................................. 5 General Horse Health .................................................59 Circulatory System ....................................................... 8 Signs of an Unhealthy Horse ....................................59 Respiratory System ...................................................... 9 Isolation or Quarantine Procedures .......................59 Digestive System .......................................................... 9 Infectious Diseases ......................................................61 Integumentary System ...............................................10 Vaccinations .................................................................62 Nervous System............................................................10 Parasites ........................................................................62 Endocrine System .........................................................11 Inflammation ................................................................63 Immune System .............................................................11 Edema ............................................................................63
    [Show full text]
  • Proper Basic Hoof Care
    Reviewed March 2010 Proper Basic Hoof Care Scott McKendrick, American Farriers Association Certified Farrier and USU Extension Coordinator of Equine and Small Acreage Programs Dr. Patricia Evans, Assistant Professor in ADVS at USU and Extension Equine Specialist Dr. Clell Bagley, Extension Veterinarian Equine hoof care is too often “out of sight, continue with the pointed out of mind.” However, horse owners must realize front hooves (Figure 1) that for maximum horse health and longevity, will deviate themselves through hoof and leg soundness, regular hoof care over time as they learn to is a must. This publication addresses the needs walk either toed out or toed and procedures for proper hoof care and shoeing. in, rather than being able to All horses need regular hoof care, but not all break straight over the horses require shoeing. This information will front of the toe. benefit horse owners by indicating what to look for in both proper trimming and shoeing. Figure 1. A quick trim squaring the toe and First Trimming removing the pointed nature of the front hooves Foals should be trimmed for the first time and hind hooves, as necessary, will aid the foal at one or two weeks of age. Not all foals are born with correct leg perfect in their hoof and leg structure, and even conformation for those that are, hoof care needs to start at an (Figure 2). A early age to maintain correctness. Trying to square toe will correct leg and hoof deviation after a horse is help the hoof older than one year will usually cause more long- break over the term damage than it will help.
    [Show full text]
  • Guided Tour: Horse Hoof Anatomy Learn How Your Horse’S Feet Work So You Can Understand How to Keep Them Sound
    STEP BY STEP TheHorse.com/Step_By_Step Guided Tour: Horse Hoof Anatomy Learn how your horse’s feet work so you can understand how to keep them sound BY CHRISTY WEST lip. Clop. The simple hoofbeats of your moving horse effectively hide Cthe highly complex anatomy and physiology at work inside his hooves dur- ing each step. As a horse owner/caretaker, knowing the basics of hoof anatomy and physiol- ogy can help you keep your horses sound and bring them back from lameness more quickly. Plus, it certainly helps to under- stand what the heck your veterinarian and/or farrier are talking about if your horse comes up lame. Andrew Parks, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, professor of large animal sur- gery and head of the Department of Large Animal Medicine at the University of Geor- gia (UGA), puts it like this: “Understanding anatomy is a prerequisite to understanding physiology. Owners need to know what’s in the foot for many day-to-day reasons; for example, if the horse steps on a nail, they need to know what structures might be damaged so they know how serious it could be.” (Hint: A nail puncture in the middle third of the frog is particularly dan- gerous because the nail could damage sev- eral critical structures.) In this article, we’ll take a tour of equine ARND BRONKHORST foot/lower limb anatomy and physiology The horse’s foot is comprised of parts that t and work together from the inside out to support his with Parks as our guide. weight and act as levers to move his body.
    [Show full text]
  • Cavallo Barefoot Trim Manual© Page  the CAVALLO Trim
    The Cavallo Barefoot Trim A Guide for Keeping Horses in their Natural Barefoot State Cavallo Horse & Rider All rights reserved. Forward The Cavallo Barefoot Trim by Carole Herder & Lynn Seeley This manual was written for those who want to understand how to keep their horses’ hoofs in their natural barefoot state. Unlike the wild horse hoof which is conditioned to the varied terrain of its living environment, our hors- es are domesticated. They do not have as much area to move and they are usually kept on ground other than that on which we wish to ride. Even if we could emulate the horse’s natu- ral terrain, environment and lifestyle, many of us do not have the time nor inclina- tion to maintain the hoof conditioning necessary to ride barefoot over any landscape. SIMPLE Hoof Boots and a proper trim will serve to compensate for our horse’s domestication. This manual will assist those who wish to keep their horses barefoot, but will still need to use SIMPLE Boots to ride on aggressive, rocky, hard sur- faces or any ground that dif- fers from the living environment that the hoof is conditioned to. The Cavallo Barefoot Trim Manual© Page The CAVALLO Trim This manual is intended for qualified and experienced trimmers. The Cavallo trim is simple and straightforward, using basic land- marks that exist in all equine feet. We do not intend to endorse or contradict any particular trimming method but simply draw upon years of experience working with and observing equine feet from many different breeds used in various riding disciplines.
    [Show full text]
  • 588529 Equine Foot Secrets Ebook 112519
    Equine Foot Secrets What you need to know about your horse’s foot AlbertoAlberto Rullan,Rullan, VMDVMB COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2019 by Author: All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The seed of passing knowledge is innately implanted in my family. When I was a 6-year-old boy I used to walk from the farm to the library where my grandmother Margarita used to work. She would take the time to walk me thru the library and all its secrets. Doing research was not as easy as asking google or Siri. Even though I was a little boy, she never held back on the teaching she would do, and the amount of it. Every day I visited she would find me a book and read it with me. Children’s books with history and science were her favorites. Therefore, they became my favorites as well. She implanted a habit in me that defined the rest of my life: “the relentless search for knowledge”. To her I dedicate this book. I am most thankful for the support and guidance received from my family, mentors, friends and colleagues. This project would not have been possible without the collaboration of a super team behind me. Starting within the core of the house with my wife Katie and sons Michael and William and continuing with the working family who back me up in all projects no matter how simple or crazy they might look.
    [Show full text]
  • USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Study Guide
    Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Study Guide 1 © United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc. Dear Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Participant: Welcome to the USHJA Horsemanship Study Guide, which was created to accompany the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge. The answer to every exam question (other than current events, rules and history of the sport) is located within the study guide. For more information regarding current events and history of the sport, visit the EAP Current Events Study Guide. For more information regarding the rules of the sport, including current USEF rules, visit the USHJA Rules Resource. The manual is broken into the following topics: Anatomy and Physiology Nutrition Bandaging Pasture Management Conditioning Riding Theory First Aid Shipping Grooming and Blanketing Shoeing Horse Handling Stable Management Horse Health Tack Horse Identification Welfare Longeing This Study Guide is not intended to be an all-encompassing source of information. Since the study guide was built around the questions for the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, some areas are covered in more depth than others. As the HQC grows and evolves, so will the study guide. Should you find any errors, please bring them to the attention of the USHJA staff at education@ushja.org so that they may be corrected. Thank you for your interest in horsemanship and the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge. Good luck! USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Program Committee 2 © United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc. Table of Contents ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY...........................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • Changes in Hoof Shape During a Seven-Week Period When Horses Were Shod Versus Barefoot
    animals Article Changes in Hoof Shape During a Seven-Week Period When Horses Were Shod Versus Barefoot Sara R. Malone 1,* and Helen M. S. Davies 2 1 Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey 08901-1281, NJ, USA 2 Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; h.davies@unimelb.edu.au * Correspondence: ruequine@gmail.com Received: 30 September 2019; Accepted: 21 November 2019; Published: 22 November 2019 Simple Summary: This study explored changes in hoof shape related to the application of horseshoes. Past research has indicated that horse hooves change shape in response to gallop exercise, so this study sought to separate the changes due to exercise from changes due to wearing horseshoes. Amongst the most important findings were that proximal (coronary band) hoof circumference decreased more when horses were shod compared to barefoot, and hoof angle decreased when horses were shod but increased when horses were barefoot over a seven-week interval. A better understanding of the relationship between hoof shape and shoeing could help improve horse management practices. Abstract: This crossover study tested the hypothesis that hoof shape would differ after a seven-week period of horses (n = 11) wearing shoes versus barefoot. An ANOVA appropriate to a crossover design was used to assess the differences in the change in hoof shape over the seven-week period and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results are displayed as the mean difference for horses when shod versus barefoot the SEM for the left (L) and right (R) front hooves.
    [Show full text]