Dynamic pressure measurements for the detailed study of hoof balance: the effect of trimming.
Authors: van Heel M C V, Barneveld A, van Weeren P R, Back W
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Dynamic pressure measurement technology has revealed detailed patterns of weight distribution during locomotion that were previously undetectable, allowing researchers to examine the subtle effects of farriery interventions rather than only extreme, artificial alterations to hoof structure. Van Heel and colleagues used a high-resolution pressure plate system (240 Hz temporal resolution, 0.39 cm² spatial accuracy) to assess 18 horses before and after standardised trimming to a straight hoof-pastern axis, recording measurements at 4-week intervals. Their findings demonstrated that horses naturally land laterally on both front and hind feet, with the centre of pressure following a consistent lateral-to-medial pathway during unrolling; importantly, trimming to correct hoof-pastern axis reduced the asymmetry between left and right limbs in maximum lateral displacement, though forelimb landing duration shortened more than hindlimb duration. For practitioners, this work validates that precise trimming protocols produce measurable biomechanical changes in pressure distribution, and the centre-of-pressure mapping technique offers an objective tool for evaluating whether individual trim interventions are achieving their intended effects on balance. This methodological foundation opens possibilities for investigating how different trim strategies, shoeing approaches, or therapeutic interventions alter these pressure patterns and may ultimately improve evidence-based farriery and rehabilitation protocols.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Standardized trimming to achieve a straight hoof-pastern axis effectively reduces asymmetrical loading between left and right feet, which may improve long-term hoof health
- •Dynamic pressure measurement at 240 Hz temporal resolution can detect subtle post-trimming changes that visual assessment alone cannot capture, supporting evidence-based farriery adjustments
- •Lateral landing patterns are normal in horses; focus trimming efforts on balancing left/right asymmetries rather than attempting to eliminate lateral loading
Key Findings
- •Horses naturally land laterally with asymmetrical pressure patterns in both front and hind feet
- •Landing duration was shorter in forelimbs than hindlimbs, with both showing decreased duration post-trimming
- •Trimming to a straight hoof-pastern axis reduced intra-individual left/right differences in maximum lateral pressure displacement
- •Centre of pressure follows a consistent hoof-unrollment pattern with lateral deviation that normalizes toward the dorsopalmar/plantar axis