Modifying Horseshoes in the Mediolateral Plane: Effects of Side Wedge, Wide Branch, and Unilateral Roller Shoes on the Phalangeal Alignment, Pressure Forces, and the Footing Pattern

Abstract

The underlying study to this article examined the effects of a broad variety of modified horseshoes on the phalangeal alignment, the pressure force distribution, and footing pattern on different grounds to establish a comparative database for future scientific and practical work. Twenty-five warmblood horses, allocated to five groups (n = 5), underwent radiographic and kinetic examinations for the barefoot hoof, a standard horseshoe, and a corresponding modified horseshoe in each group. A novel modified podoblock was used, and the kinetic examinations were carried out using two sensor foils simultaneously, while walking on four different types of ground. On firm ground, only side wedges caused significant changes in the orientation of the distal phalanx, whereas on penetrable ground, also, the wide branch shoe showed a tendential skewer orientation of the distal phalanx. The effects of a unilateral roller shoe did not differ significantly compared with a standard horseshoe. The orientation of the middle and proximal phalanx as well as the distal interphalangeal joint space symmetry showed no constant data. Moreover, pressure forces increased considerably beneath the supported regions of a wide branch shoe and side wedges. Side wedges showed an inconstant influence on the footing pattern. In conclusion, all examined modified horseshoes showed unwanted side effects which should be taken into account when planning an orthopedical treatment. Furthermore, different ground conditions can influence biomechanical parameters of horseshoes significantly.