Radiographic measurements of the hoof in generally sound donkeys with emphasis on the front limbs.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Radiographic hoof measurements in sound donkeys Whilst equine hoof conformation has been extensively characterised through radiographic studies, comparable reference data for donkeys remain sparse despite their distinct anatomical differences and significant welfare implications. Wacker and colleagues radiographed the forelimbs of clinically sound donkeys, measuring key parameters including dorsal hoof wall angle, palmar angle, hoof length, and depth across multiple anatomical planes to establish normative values and explore variation by limb symmetry, age, weight, and body size. The research identified that healthy donkey hooves display consistent bilateral symmetry and revealed how various morphometric parameters scale with individual size, providing the first comprehensive reference dataset for assessing abnormal conformation in donkey populations. These baseline measurements are particularly valuable for farriers and veterinarians, as they enable objective differentiation between physiologically normal variation and pathological hoof changes, and inform evidence-based trimming and corrective shoeing protocols specific to donkeys rather than relying on extrapolated equine data. The findings underscore that donkey-specific standards are essential for optimising foot health and welfare in this increasingly popular working and companion animal population.

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Key Findings

• •Reference radiographic measurements for healthy donkey hooves have been established to fill the gap in physiological baseline data
• •Hoof conformation parameters in donkeys differ from horses and require species-specific reference values for clinical assessment
• •Study evaluated relationships between radiographic parameters and donkey size, age, and weight to establish normative standards

Conditions Studied

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