ABSTRACT
Twelve mature American Quarter Horses (450–572 kg) were used in a switchback design
for a 140-d trial to determine the effects of shoeing on joints of the forelimb and
digital cushion depth. The study consisted of 3 phases: d 0 to 42, horses were barefoot
trimmed; d 49 to 91, horses were shod (SD) on the forehand with standard St. Croix
plain lite shoes; d 98 to 140, horses received another barefoot trim. Horses were
exercised 3 times per wk on a linear dirt track. Measurements and blood samples were
obtained every 21 d following exercise. Joint circumference was measured using a soft
tape measure. Serum was harvested, and prostaglandin E2 was analyzed by ELISA. Digital cushion depth was measured ultrasonically through
the superficial frog. Stride lengths were measured at a walk and trot using gait analysis
software. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Mean stride lengths
at the walk (P < 0.05) and trot (P < 0.01) and carpal joint circumference (P < 0.01) were greater in the SD phase than the barefoot phases. There was no effect
(P ≥ 0.47) of d or treatment on digital cushion depth; however, on d 42 of each of the
phases, mean digital cushion depth was greater (P < 0.01) in the barefoot phases compared with the SD phase. These data indicate that
a shod foredigit may cause changes in hoof morphology due to alterations in lower
limb movement and hoof load dispersion, which could increase the incidence of lameness
over time.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 21,
2017
Received:
November 8,
2016
Identification
Copyright
Copyright © 2017, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. All rights reserved.
