Computed tomographic measurements in 110 front hooves of non-lame Thoroughbred racehorses and Warmblood showjumpers.
Authors: Szabó Luca, Pollard Danica, Nagy Annamária
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: CT Reference Ranges for Equine Hooves Hoof wall and sole thickness have never been systematically quantified using computed tomography in sound horses, yet these measurements are increasingly important for diagnosing foot pathology. Szabó and colleagues performed CT soft tissue reconstructions on 110 front hooves from 56 non-lame horses (30 Thoroughbred racehorses and 26 Warmblood showjumpers), measuring hoof wall thickness at standardised sites and calculating the ratio of dorsal hoof wall to palmar distal phalanx length (DHWDP). Mean dorsal hoof wall thickness differed significantly between breeds—14.03 mm in Thoroughbreds versus 15.79 mm in Warmbloods—whilst the DHWDP ratio remained consistent at 0.24 in both; notably, the sole was substantially thicker on the lateral side than medial (approximately 2.1 mm difference), a finding that persisted regardless of horse signalment. Bodyweight-to-height ratio was the only variable consistently associated with increased hoof wall thickness across all layers, suggesting that frame size rather than breed alone influences structure. For practitioners interpreting CT imaging of horses presenting with foot pain, these breed-specific and anatomical reference ranges now provide a quantifiable baseline for identifying abnormal measurements—though the authors appropriately caution that their findings apply specifically to Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods, and may not translate to other breeds or populations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Use these breed-specific reference ranges (Thoroughbred vs Warmblood) as baseline comparisons when interpreting CT scans of horses presenting with foot pain or lameness
- •Expect normal lateral sole thickness to exceed medial by ~2 mm; deviation from this asymmetry may indicate pathology
- •Consider bodyweight relative to height when interpreting hoof wall thickness measurements, as this ratio significantly influences measurement values
Key Findings
- •Mean dorsal hoof wall thickness was 14.03±1.37 mm in Thoroughbred racehorses and 15.79±1.41 mm in Warmblood showjumpers
- •Mean DHWDP (dorsal hoof wall to palmar distal phalanx) ratio was 0.24±0.02 in both breeds
- •Sole thickness was significantly greater laterally than medially by 2.08–2.12 mm at palmar measurement sites
- •Bodyweight:height ratio was the only signalment variable significantly associated with dorsal hoof wall thickness across all layers