Dynamic pressure measurements for the detailed study of hoof balance: the effect of trimming

Abstract

Studies on hoof balance have, so far, only assessed the effects of strong and relatively unrealistic interventions due to technical limitations of measuring equipment. For the assessment of more subtle interventions, other techniques are necessary. To test a sensitive pressure measurement system during locomotion and to set a standard for further studies by using the system to evaluate the effects of trimming. Eighteen horses were measured before and after trimming with an interval of 4 weeks. Trimming was standardised to a straight hoof-pastern axis. The horses trotted over a pressure/force measuring system, with a temporal resolution of 240 Hz and a spatial resolution of 0.39 cm2. The preferred way of landing was lateral, asymmetrical in both front and hind feet. The duration of landing was shorter in forelimbs than in hindlimbs with an equal decreasing trimming effect. Horses had a fixed hoof-unrollment pattern; the centre of pressure (CoP) travelled towards a maximum lateral deviation and returned towards the dorsopalmar/plantar axis of the hoof. Trimming decreased the intra-individual left/right difference in maximum lateral displacement. The technique used provided easily accurate data to quantify hoof balance characteristics and to measure short-term trimming effects. Determination of CoP patterns has added value in gait analysis and can improve our understanding of the effects of different interventions on hoof balance.