J Vet Sci.  2018 Jul;19(4):557-562. 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.4.557.

Changes in hoof kinetics and kinematics at walk in response to hoof trimming: pressure plate assessment

• Faramarzi
• Nguyen A
• Dong F

• KMID: 2417572
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.4.557

Abstract

Appropriate hoof preparation and symmetry are linked to the well-being of the horse. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of pressure plates (PPs) in delivering objective biomechanical analysis. We aimed to assess the effect of hoof trimming on hoof biomechanics using a PP. Nine clinically sound Arabian horses were walked across a PP while foot strike was recorded by a digital camera. Kinetic and kinematic parameters were recorded before and after trimming. Changes were considered significant when p < 0.05. Vertical force (p = 0.026) and contact pressure (p = 0.006) increased after trimming. Stance-phase duration (p = 0.006), swing-phase duration (p = 0.023), and gait-cycle duration (p = 0.007) decreased significantly post-trimming. The observed changes in kinetic and kinematic parameters were related to hoof trimming. The reported results underline the importance of farriery practice and its effect on hoof biomechanics, which should be considered by both farriers and veterinarians.

Keyword

biomechanics; horses; kinematics; kinetics; pressure plate

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena*
Foot
Hoof and Claw*
Horses
Humans
Kinetics*
Strikes, Employee
Veterinarians

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A horse being walked on the pressure plate during a preliminary trial. The plate is covered with a thin rubber mat for plate protection and is connected to a laptop to collect data.

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  Fig. 2 Solar view pictures of the same hoof before (A) and after (B) trimming.

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  Fig. 3 Mean and SD of kinetic variables: force (A), contact area (B), contact pressure (C), and peak contact pressure (D) before and after hoof trimming. The asterisks indicate statistically significant changes in force and contact pressure.

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  Fig. 4 Mean and SD of kinematic variables: stance-phase duration (A), swing-phase duration (B), gait-cycle duration (C), duty factor (D), and swing-phase (E) before and after hoof trimming. The asterisks indicate statistically significant changes in stance-phase, swing-phase, and gait-cycle durations.

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