Hoof growth between two shoeing sessions leads to a substantial increase of the moment about the distal, but not the proximal, interphalangeal joint.
Authors: Moleman M, van Heel M C V, van Weeren P R, Back W
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Between shoeing sessions, the hoof angle naturally decreases as the hoof wall grows, fundamentally altering the biomechanical demands on the distal limb structures. Moleman and colleagues used pressure-force plate analysis combined with lateromedial radiographs to track changes in ground reaction forces and lever arms across an 8-week shoeing interval in nine sound Warmblood horses, calculating the resulting moments (rotational forces) at both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Whilst the proximal interphalangeal joint moment remained stable, the distal interphalangeal joint moment increased substantially—a finding that reveals an active compensatory mechanism where horses accommodate changing hoof conformation by increasing distal interphalangeal joint extension, thereby increasing tensile loading through the deep digital flexor tendon. For practitioners, this quantification of biomechanical change provides an evidence-based rationale for establishing appropriate shoeing intervals, with hoof angle serving as the most practical indicator for individual horses. Understanding this compensatory response emphasises that prolonged intervals between shoeing sessions progressively increase stress on critical soft tissue structures, informing decisions about when to resettle shoes to minimise cumulative strain-related injury risk.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Shoeing intervals significantly affect internal joint loading, particularly at the distal interphalangeal joint—consider individual hoof angle measurements to optimize timing for each horse
- •Extended shoeing intervals increase DDFT loading through DIPJ extension, which may predispose to tendon-related injuries; monitor high-risk horses more frequently
- •Hoof angle measurement provides a practical, objective metric to guide farriery decisions and help prevent compensatory strain patterns in the distal limb
Key Findings
- •DIPJ moment increased significantly after 8 weeks of hoof growth between shoeing sessions, while PIPJ moment did not increase significantly
- •Hoof angle decreased during the 8-week shoeing interval, indicating substantial hoof growth changes
- •Compensatory mechanism identified at DIPJ leading to increased extension and greater loading of the deep digital flexor tendon
- •Lowest hoof angle is the best individual indicator for determining appropriate shoeing intervals in sound horses