The effects of trimming on foot morphology: A Preliminary Report - Radiometric comparative study of 15 horses and three bare foot hoof care models (Dr. Brian Hampson, PhD)

Introduction

There are at least several models of practice for equine hoof care which all claim to produce desirable outcomes for the foot health of horses (Duckett, 1990; Jackson, 1997; O’grady, 2003; Ovnicek, 1995; Ovnicek, 2003; Strasser, 2004). These models are based, among other factors, on certain morphological features of the hoof capsule that can be manipulated by nipping and rasping the sole and hoof wall, the application of a variety of external devices including horse shoes, and encouraging wear and new hoof capsule growth in a predictable pattern. While proponents of the various models are confident in their particular methods and claim anecdotal evidence of their successful application, there appears to be little published evidence of the comparison of the effectiveness of methodologies in obtaining morphological changes to the hoof capsule and therefore affecting foot health and function. Clayton et al, (2011) documented hoof capsule morphological changes in response to one model of hoof trimming and determined that these changes can be observed and accurately measured in both the short and long term. This methodology can be employed in a comparative study to document the responses of the equine hoof capsule to various hoof care models. The determination of these responses may allow those people responsible for horse husbandry to make better informed decisions regarding hoof care options available to them.

Methodology

The response of hoof morphology to three models of hoof care was investigated radiometrically in a multi-site comparative study over a 12 month period. All horses were trimmed at regular intervals and a consistent radiographic methodology was followed at each location.

Subjects: Six mixed-breed horses used for recreational purposes at each of two locations and three horses at one location (n=15). Prior to commencement of the study each horse received no particular formal hoof care model for the previous 12 months and was not trimmed for at least the previous six weeks.

Radiometric procedure: Eleven radiometric parameters were measured from calibrated and standardised latero-medial digital radiographs of the left forefoot of each horse on day 1, prior to the first intervention, and following 12-months of hoof care (Figures 1 and 2).

Models/locations: Each of the three locations represented one of three hoof care models. Each horse in each location received similar hoof care from the same practitioner. Feet where managed at a minimum of six week intervals for the duration of the study. The models were The HoofPrint method, Barefoot Hooforthopaedics and PHCP trim. Trimming models were