Horseshoe effects on equine gait-A systematic scoping review.
Authors: Aoun, Takawira, Lopez
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Horseshoe Effects on Equine Gait A systematic scoping review by Aoun, Takawira and Lopez has synthesised 46 studies examining how horseshoes influence the kinetics and kinematics of equine movement, revealing that whilst shoe design demonstrably affects limb forces and motion patterns, the evidence base remains fragmented and inconsistent across investigations. The researchers searched four major databases comprehensively and applied rigorous screening criteria, identifying that most published work compares modified or novel shoe designs against unshod or standard open-heel controls in sound horses, predominantly using force platforms, pressure plates, wearable sensors and video analysis to capture gait data. Despite this volume of research, little consensus exists between independent studies—a problem compounded by highly variable methodologies, small sample sizes, single-breed populations, outcome measures bespoke to individual investigations, and a troubling lack of randomisation in many designs. Significant knowledge gaps remain regarding bilateral limb assessment, the confounding effects of individual conformation and hoof morphology, and how pre-existing health conditions modify shoeing responses. For practitioners seeking evidence-based shoeing guidance, this review underscores both the availability of published work as a clinical resource and the urgent need for standardised experimental protocols and comprehensive outcome measures—particularly multi-limb kinetic data and assessment across diverse horse populations and morphotypes—to build a genuinely actionable evidence base.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Shoe effects on gait are real but highly variable—current research cannot provide universal recommendations; individual horse assessment remains essential for farriery decisions.
- •Be cautious about extrapolating findings from published studies to your own horses, as most research uses non-lame horses and single breeds that may not match your client population.
- •Document your own horses' responses to shoeing changes systematically; industry-wide standardization in measurement methods is needed before research can reliably guide practice.
Key Findings
- •46 studies identified examining horseshoe effects on equine kinetics and kinematics with highly variable outcomes and limited consensus across unrelated studies.
- •Most studies compared modified shoe designs to unshod or standard open-heel shoes using non-lame horses with force platforms, pressure plates, and videography as primary measurement tools.
- •Significant methodological limitations identified including small sample sizes, single breed populations, lack of randomization, and outcome measures unique to individual studies limiting comparability.
- •Major knowledge gaps exist regarding bilateral limb data collection, effects of conformation, hoof morphology, and health status on shoeing outcomes.