The effect of flat horseshoes, raised heels and lowered heels on the biomechanics of the equine hoof assessed by finite element analysis (FEA).
Authors: Hinterhofer, Stanek, Haider
Journal: Journal of veterinary medicine. A, Physiology, pathology, clinical medicine
Summary
# Editorial Summary Using finite element analysis with a detailed 3D model of the equine hoof capsule, Hinterhofer and colleagues investigated how heel angles influence stress distribution and deformation patterns under static load. The model simulated a 3000 N load distributed across the hoof wall (80%), sole and frog (20%), and compared biomechanical outcomes across three shoeing configurations: flat shoes, shoes with 5-degree raised heels, and shoes with 5-degree lowered heels. Raising the heels significantly reduced both stress concentrations and hoof wall displacement throughout the capsule, whereas lowering the heels produced the highest stress and deformation values, with flat shoes occupying the middle ground. Notably, stress concentrations clustered around nail holes, the heels and proximal dorsal wall—areas commonly associated with therapeutic and pathological concerns. For practitioners, these findings suggest that modest heel elevation (5 degrees) provides biomechanical advantages in managing hoof stress, whilst heel lowering may exacerbate loading patterns and should be approached cautiously, particularly in horses predisposed to heel pain or dorsal wall issues.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Raising heels by 5 degrees reduces mechanical stress on the hoof capsule compared to flat or lowered heel shoes, potentially beneficial for hoof health
- •Lowered heels increase stress concentration in critical areas (quarters, heels, dorsal wall) and should be used cautiously
- •Heel elevation appears to be a biomechanically sound shoeing strategy for managing hoof deformation and stress distribution
Key Findings
- •Raised heels (5 degrees) resulted in significantly lower stress and displacement values compared to flat and lowered heel shoes (P < 0.05)
- •Lowered heels (5 degrees) produced the highest stress and displacement values in the hoof capsule
- •Under static 3000 N load, proximal dorsal wall moves back, quarters flare laterally, and sole/frog move downward
- •Highest stresses concentrate in quarter nail regions, heels, and proximal dorsal wall regardless of shoe type