Effects of different shoeing conditions on equine cervical and back kinematics during walking and trotting on a soft surface.
Authors: Caure S, Dendauw P, Thesee L, Villedey E, Malinvaud A, Cousty M, Prie V, Horan K, Weller R
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
Shoeing profoundly influences how horses move through their neck and back during everyday work on sand surfaces, yet this relationship has received minimal scientific investigation until now. Researchers used two-dimensional video analysis to track cervical and thoracolumbar kinematics across seven shoeing scenarios—ranging from fully shod to completely barefoot, with various specialist hind shoes—whilst 10 horses walked and trotted in straight lines on sand. The cervicothoracic junction emerged as dramatically more responsive to shoeing changes than the lower back, with front-shod-only configurations producing the most pronounced alterations: 6–11° additional extension at the neck during both gaits and 3–4° increased flexion through the thoracolumbar region at trot compared to standard shod or unshod conditions. Conversely, specialist hind shoes (egg bar, wide toe, and reverse designs) and complete barefoot states all elicited 5–7° increases in cervicothoracic extension or notable flexion patterns respectively. Given that postural changes of this magnitude directly affect load distribution, spinal stability, and compensatory movement patterns, practitioners should recognise shoeing configuration as a significant variable when assessing gait abnormalities, planning rehabilitation programmes, or optimising performance—particularly when neck or back issues are present.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Shoeing decisions directly alter neck and back positioning—consider these kinematic changes when addressing postural or performance issues during clinical examination and training
- •Front-only shoeing produces the largest kinematic changes; asymmetric shoeing configurations warrant careful observation of compensatory neck and back movements
- •Different hind shoe types (egg bar, wide toe, reverse) produce measurable but smaller kinematic effects than front shoeing; select based on specific therapeutic goals while monitoring spinal posture
Key Findings
- •Cervicothoracic joint angles were four times more likely to be affected by shoeing condition than back and sacrum joints
- •Front shoeing only (FORESHOD) increased cervicothoracic extension by 6-11° at walk and trot compared to reference shoes
- •Hind egg bar, wide toe, and reverse shoes increased cervicothoracic extension by 5-7° at trot and walk compared to reference shoes
- •Unshod condition induced cervicothoracic flexion of 6° at trot compared to reference shoes