Effect of heel elevation on breakover phase in horses with laminitis

Mohamad Al Naem,Klaus Failing,Michael Röcken,Florian Geburek,Johanna Hoffmann,Lutz-Ferdinand Litzke

doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02571-5

Mohamad Al Naem, Klaus Failing + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02571-5

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Abstract

BackgroundIn a laminitic horse, the maximal loading of the toe region occurs during the breakover phase. To date, no kinetic data demonstrates the effect of supportive orthopaedic therapy in horses with laminitis on breakover phase. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of heel elevation on the breakover phase. Eight horses with acute laminitis treated medically as well as with application of a hoof cast with heel wedge (HCHW) were included in this study. Immediately following cessation of clinical signs of acute laminitis, two measurements using the Hoof™ System were taken: the first with HCHW and the second immediately following removal of the HCHW, i.e. in barefoot condition (BFC). The hoof print was divided into three regions: toe, middle hoof, and heel. Kinetic parameters included vertical force (VF), stance duration, contact area (CA) for all hoof regions during stance phase, duration of breakover, VF in the toe region at onset of breakover and location of centre of force.ResultsThe VF and CA were higher in the heel region (63 and 61%, respectively) and decreased significantly after removal of the HCHW (43 and 28% after removal, respectively). The breakover phase in horses with HCHW lasted 2% of stance phase and was significantly shorter than that in BFC, which lasted 6% of stance phase. The VF at onset of breakover for the toe region in horses with HCHW was significantly lower than that in BFC. The centre of the force was located at the heel region in all horses with the HCHW, and at the middle the hoof region in BFC.ConclusionsHeel elevation in horses with laminitis as examined on a concrete surface significantly shortens breakover phase and decreases the vertical force in the toe region during breakover. HCHW provides adequate support to the palmar hoof structures by increasing the contact area in the heel region and incorporating the palmar part of frog and sole into weight bearing, thus decreasing the stress on the lamellae. Hoof cast with heel elevation could be a beneficial orthopaedic supportive therapy for horses suffering from acute laminitis.

Highlights

IntroductionThe maximal loading of the toe region occurs during the breakover phase
In a laminitic horse, the maximal loading of the toe region occurs during the breakover phase
A kinetic study demonstrated that the maximal loading of the toe region in horses with laminitis occurred during breakover phase and that the main shift of the load within the hooves of laminitic horses occurred between the toe and middle hoof regions

Summary

Introduction

The maximal loading of the toe region occurs during the breakover phase. No kinetic data demonstrates the effect of supportive orthopaedic therapy in horses with laminitis on breakover phase. A kinetic study demonstrated that the maximal loading of the toe region in horses with laminitis occurred during breakover phase and that the main shift of the load within the hooves of laminitic horses occurred between the toe and middle hoof regions. A variety of supportive orthopaedics therapy options are available for horses with acute laminitis including hoof cast with heel wedge (HCHW) [3], lily pad, toe bevelling [8], and wooden shoes [9]. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of heel elevation on the breakover phase and the vertical force in the toe region during breakover phase as well as the contact area in the heel region in horses with laminitis.

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