Functional locomotor consequences of uneven forefeet for trot symmetry in individual riding horses.
Authors: Wiggers Nathan, Nauwelaerts Sandra L P, Hobbs Sarah Jane, Bool Sophie, Wolschrijn Claudia F, Back Willem
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Functional locomotor consequences of uneven forefeet for trot symmetry in individual riding horses Uneven feet have long been suspected as a risk factor for lameness and premature retirement in competition horses, yet the specific biomechanical consequences remained poorly characterised until Wiggers and colleagues examined 34 horses at trot, classifying them as even-footed (dorsal hoof wall angle difference <1.5°) or uneven-footed (>1.5° difference) and analysing ground reaction forces and distal limb kinematics. In uneven-footed horses, the flatter forefoot consistently demonstrated greater maximal horizontal braking force and vertical ground reaction force alongside increased vertical fetlock displacement and more compliant fetlock mechanics, whilst the steeper foot correlated with earlier transition from braking to propulsion phase—demonstrating that conformational asymmetry drives functionally asymmetrical loading patterns rather than the absolute angle of individual feet. These findings suggest that foot-to-foot differences create measurable gait asymmetries that could represent either physiological compensation or subclinical pathology in the steeper foot, highlighting why even modest angular disparities between forefeet warrant practical attention during routine assessments. For farriers and veterinarians managing performance horses, this work reinforces that achieving bilateral symmetry in dorsal hoof wall angle should be a treatment priority, as the differential loading patterns identified may contribute cumulatively to soft tissue strain and early degenerative changes if left unaddressed.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Uneven forefeet create measurable asymmetrical loading patterns at trot—the flatter foot bears disproportionate braking and vertical forces, which may explain early retirement in competition horses
- •Farriery interventions should prioritize reducing the angular difference between forefeet, as relative asymmetry matters more than absolute hoof angles for functional outcomes
- •Uneven feet may represent either adaptive asymmetrical loading or subclinical lameness in the steeper foot; veterinary and farriery assessment should investigate whether the steeper foot is pathologically compromised
Key Findings
- •Horses with uneven forefeet showed significantly larger maximal horizontal braking and vertical ground reaction forces on the flatter foot side
- •The flatter foot demonstrated larger vertical fetlock displacement and a suppler fetlock spring mechanism
- •Conformational differences between forefeet were more influential on loading characteristics than absolute hoof angle values
- •The steeper hoof angle correlated with earlier braking-propulsion transition, suggesting asymmetrical loading patterns