Can the hoof be shod without limiting the heel movement? A comparative study between barefoot, shoeing with conventional shoes and a split-toe shoe.
Authors: Brunsting J, Dumoulin M, Oosterlinck M, Haspeslagh M, Lefère L, Pille F
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Split-Toe Shoes and Heel Movement in Horses The debate over whether horseshoes compromise natural biomechanics has persisted for decades, but quantifying the difference has proved challenging. Brunsting and colleagues designed a rigorous crossover study using high-frequency displacement sensors (679 Hz sampling rate) affixed to the heels of eight horses to directly measure mediolateral heel movement across three gaits—walk, trot and canter—under three conditions: barefoot, conventionally shod, and fitted with an experimental split-toe shoe. Conventional shoes significantly restricted heel expansion at all gaits (P≤0.001) compared to both barefoot and split-toe conditions, whilst both shod conditions reduced heel contraction during weight-bearing, though this effect was less pronounced at canter with conventional shoes. Critically, the split-toe design permitted heel expansion comparable to the barefoot state, suggesting that strategic shoe design can preserve this aspect of natural hoof mechanics without sacrificing protection or function. For practitioners concerned with maintaining hoof health, this evidence offers a middle ground between the functional limitations of conventional shoes and the practical constraints of keeping horses barefoot, though further investigation into whether preserved heel movement translates to improved soundness or reduced injury rates would strengthen the case for adoption.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Split-toe shoes allow heel movement comparable to barefoot horses, offering a potential alternative to conventional shoes for horses where heel movement preservation is a priority
- •Conventional toe-clipped shoes consistently restrict heel expansion across all gaits; consider alternatives if minimizing movement restriction is a clinical goal
- •The split-toe shoe design may reduce concerns about orthopaedic stress from shoeing-induced movement restriction, though long-term clinical outcomes require further investigation
Key Findings
- •Conventional shoes significantly restricted heel expansion compared to barefoot and split-toe shoes across all gaits (P≤0.001)
- •Split-toe shoe heel expansion was not significantly different from barefoot condition
- •All shoeing types reduced heel contraction compared to barefoot, except conventional shoes at canter (P≤0.038)
- •Split-toe shoe design may preserve natural heel biomechanics without the restrictions of conventional shoeing