The Immediate Effect of Routine Hoof Trimming and Shoeing on Horses' Gait.
Authors: Kelleher Maureen E, Burns Travis D, Werre Stephen R, White Nathaniel A
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Hoof Trimming, Shoeing and Gait Changes in Sound Horses Routine farriery dramatically alters hoof conformation—this study quantified those changes and examined whether they translate into measurable gait differences. Fifteen horses underwent standardised trimming and shoeing whilst researchers captured detailed dorsal and lateral hoof photographs and collected inertial gait analysis data (measuring head and pelvis movement) at the trot before and after intervention. Although significant changes occurred in multiple hoof parameters (dorsal wall length, heel length and overhang, hoof angle, and coronary band dimensions all showed P <0.05), overall head and pelvis motion remained statistically unchanged in these sound horses. Importantly, specific hoof measurements correlated with immediate stride adjustments: heel length changes associated with head movement variation, whilst dorsal wall, heel and heel overhang modifications correlated with pelvis movement parameters. For practitioners, these findings suggest that whilst routine trimming and shoeing substantially reshape foot architecture in healthy horses without causing gait disturbance, careful attention to heel length and dorsal wall length may help optimise biomechanical response—a principle potentially valuable when adapting farriery protocols for lame or problematic horses, though further research in compromised populations is needed.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Routine hoof trimming and shoeing produce measurable changes in hoof conformation but do not significantly alter the gait of sound horses, suggesting current farriery practices are compatible with maintaining functional movement
- •Specific hoof measurements (heel length, dorsal wall length, heel overhang) show correlations with stride parameters and could be used as objective guides for farriery decisions, particularly when addressing stride concerns
- •While routine farriery does not change gait in non-lame horses, the measurement correlations suggest hoof conformation modifications may warrant further investigation as a therapeutic approach for lame horses
Key Findings
- •Multiple hoof measurements changed significantly after trimming and shoeing (coronary band length/height, dorsal hoof wall length, heel length, heel overhang, hoof angle), with P-values ranging from 0.0001 to 0.03
- •No statistically significant difference in total head and pelvis movement occurred after farrier intervention despite hoof conformation changes
- •Heel length changes correlated with maximum head movement (P=0.03) and heel length/overhang changes correlated with maximum pelvis movement (P=0.006)
- •Hoof measurements may be useful tools for farriers and veterinarians to guide routine hoof care application, though routine trimming does not alter gait in non-lame horses