Immediate effects of an artificial change in hoof angulation on the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angle and cross-sectional areas of both flexor tendons.
Authors: Hagen Jenny, Kojah Kaid, Geiger Michael, Vogel Mandy
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary Corrective shoeing aims to alter biomechanical loading patterns through hoof angle modification, yet the specific mechanical changes in digital joints and associated soft tissues remain incompletely characterised. Hagen and colleagues examined 30 horses across barefoot, 5°, 10° and 20° toe and heel wedge conditions, measuring dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angulation and flexor tendon cross-sectional areas via radiography and ultrasonography. Meaningful changes in both the DMPJ and flexor tendon dimensions only emerged at more substantial wedge angles (≥10° heel elevation or ≥20° toe elevation), with both the deep and superficial digital flexor tendons showing increased cross-sectional area in response to heel raising—a finding that warrants mechanistic investigation. Individual variation proved significant, with baseline phalangeal angulation and length substantially influencing how individual horses responded to the same corrective shoeing intervention. This work underscores that corrective shoeing effects are neither universal nor necessarily proportional to modest angle changes, making individual assessment essential and suggesting that therapeutic shoeing protocols should account for baseline conformation rather than applying standardised approaches across different foot types.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Corrective shoeing requires substantial hoof angle changes (10–20°) to meaningfully alter digital joint mechanics and tendon loading—minor adjustments may be ineffective
- •Heel wedges appear more effective than toe wedges for modifying tendon loading, but individual horse conformation determines actual response, so clinical assessment cannot rely on standardized recommendations alone
- •The similar response of both flexor tendons to hoof changes suggests therapeutic shoeing benefits require further research to be prescribed more specifically; current practice should be combined with regular monitoring via ultrasound
Key Findings
- •Significant effects on dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint angulation and flexor tendon cross-sectional areas occurred at 10° and 20° heel wedges or 20° toe wedges
- •Both deep and superficial digital flexor tendons showed increasing cross-sectional area after heel elevation
- •Individual variation in response to hoof angulation changes was significant and influenced by phalangeal angulation and length
- •Deep and superficial digital flexor tendons showed similar responses to both raised and lowered hoof orientation