The role of radiography in equine foot balance
Authors: Logie Sarah
Journal: Equine Health
Summary
# Editorial Summary: The role of radiography in equine foot balance Achieving consistent hoof balance through trimming and shoeing relies heavily on visual assessment and palpation, yet external anatomical landmarks can be misleading due to individual variation in hoof capsule shape and conformation. Logie examined how radiographic evaluation—particularly weight-bearing radiographs—provides objective data to inform farrier decision-making beyond what external reference points alone can reveal. The research demonstrates that radiography enables practitioners to assess palmar/plantar angle, breakover location, mediolateral balance and deep digital flexor tendon clearance with precision, thereby reducing the risk of shoeing for appearance rather than biomechanical soundness. For farriers, veterinarians and physiotherapists working collaboratively on lameness cases or performance optimisation, integrating radiographic assessment into routine foot evaluations allows evidence-based adjustments tailored to the individual horse's bony anatomy and soft tissue positioning. This approach is particularly valuable when external landmarks conflict with radiographic findings, and supports the development of a documented baseline for monitoring changes in foot balance over time.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Use radiography alongside external reference points to objectively assess hoof balance before and after shoeing—this removes guesswork and improves your decision-making
- •Establish baseline radiographic images for individual horses to track changes in foot balance over time and detect early imbalances
- •Integrate radiographic findings into your trimming and shoeing protocol to enhance client communication and justify your recommendations
Key Findings
- •Radiography provides objective assessment of internal hoof structures relative to external landmarks during shoeing and trimming decisions
- •External reference points combined with radiographic analysis improve consistency in foot balance procedures
- •Radiographic guidance supports evidence-based shoeing for improved soundness outcomes