Hoof Growth Rate Research Articles

Tracking reproductive events: Hoof growth and steroid hormone concentrations in hair and hoof tissues in moose (Alces alces).

Measurements of reproductive and stress-related hormones in keratinous tissues (e.g. hair, claws, hooves, baleen) can provide a record of stress and reproductive response in wildlife. We evaluated a method to collect keratin tissue from hooves of immobilized moose (Alces alces) and validated enzyme immunoassays for measuring cortisol and progesterone in hooves and hair. We also measured the annual growth and wear rates of moose hooves. Progesterone (range: 1.0-43.7pg/mg) and cortisol (range: 0.05-2.9pg/mg) were measurable and showed variation among hoof samples and moose. Pregnant females had twice as high progesterone concentrations (18.00 ± 3.73pg/mg) from hoof sample locations post breeding compared to non-pregnant moose (9.40 ± 0.25pg/mg). Annual hoof growth differed between the front (5.58 ± 0.12cm) and rear (4.73 ± 0.13cm) hooves and varied by season with higher growth rates during summer which decreased into autumn and winter. Adult female hooves represented between 1.6 and 2.1years of growth and included up to two reproductive cycles. We established a method to estimate hoof growth rate and applied this to postmortem samples and were able to detect previous pregnancies. Shoulder guard hairs grew between August and March including during late gestation; however, hair progesterone concentrations (range: 2-107.1pg/mg) were not related to reproductive state. Hair cortisol concentrations in our study (range: 0.2-15.9pg/mg) were within the range of values previously reported for cervids. Our study supports the use of hooves for longitudinal sampling and measuring reproductive and stress-related hormones, providing a new tool for tracking reproductive events and understanding what variables may contribute to population level changes in reproduction.

Evaluating the long-term conformation and hoof growth effects of starting hoof trimming at 5 months of age in New Zealand dairy goats

Hoof overgrowth is associated with poor conformation, an altered weight-bearing surface, and a reduction in the hoof's anatomic and functional integrity. As a result of housing systems that promote hoof overgrowth, hoof trimming is considered a priority in dairy goats. However, there are few data on the effects of the timing of first trimming on hoof conformation and growth rate. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the long-term effects of 2 different hoof trimming start times and (2) to investigate the pattern of hoof growth across the first 2 yr of life. Eighty 5-mo-old female Saanen-cross commercially housed dairy goats were allocated randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) early trimmed (trimming beginning at 5 mo old; hooves were trimmed every 4 mo thereafter) and (2) late trimmed (trimming beginning at 13 mo old; hooves were trimmed every 4 mo thereafter). Using a combination of photographs and radiographs, hoof conformation, joint positions, and hoof wall length were assessed before the 13- and 25-mo trimming events. Hoof growth was assessed every 12 wk using caliper measurements. Overall, starting hoof trimming earlier had minor and inconsistent effects. However, detrimental changes in conformation and joint positions occurred between trimming events, particularly in the hind hooves, regardless of trimming treatment. At both assessments, there was a high percentage of overgrown toes and dipped heels, with the hind hooves being more affected compared with the front (overgrown toes at 13 mo, 97.1 vs. 79.1 ± 5.2%; overgrown toes at 25 mo, 91.7 vs. 56.3 ± 6.7%; dipped heels at 13 mo, 98.5 vs. 19.3 ± 5.0%; dipped heels at 25 mo, 88.3 vs. 4.9 ± 4.8%). In addition, at both assessments, the distal interphalangeal joint angle was greater in the hind hooves compared with the front (13 mo, 79.5 vs. 65.2 ± 1.7°; 25 mo, 79.0 vs. 66.7 ± 0.9°), whereas heel angles were less in the hind hooves compared with the front (13 mo, 41.8 vs. 57.1 ± 1.5°; 25 mo, 44.9 vs. 55.9 ± 1.1°). On average, the front hooves grew 4.39 mm/mo and the hind hooves grew 4.20 mm/mo. Early trimming did not have consistent effects on hoof growth rate. Importantly, our results suggest that trimming every 4 mo is not sufficient to prevent hoof overgrowth, the development of poor conformation, and detrimental changes in joint positions, particularly in the hind hooves. Furthermore, the detrimental changes may have masked any long-term treatment effects. Therefore, trimming frequency and age of first trimming should be considered when devising hoof care protocols for dairy goats housed in environments that do not offer opportunities for natural hoof wear.

Thirty-Two Weeks of Oral Supplementation with LinPro™ Increases Hoof Growth in Healthy Mares

LinPro™ (LP) is a commercial dietary supplement marketed to increase hoof growth and quality. Ten mature (5-15 years) non-pregnant Quarter Horse mares without existing hoof quality issues were used to test the hypothesis that 32 weeks of daily supplementation with 113 g of LP would increase hoof growth rates as compared to non-supplemented controls. Hooves were trimmed at the start of the study and every 8 weeks thereafter. A mark was applied on the hoof wall surface at 2.5 cm below the junction of the hoof wall and coronary band. At each trimming, the distance between the mark and coronary band was measured and a new mark placed. For front hooves, horses assigned to LP had greater total hoof growth over 32 weeks (2.65 ± 0.15 vs. 2.18 ± 0.12 cm; P=.048) and tended to have greater hoof growth per 8 weeks trimming cycle (0.64 ± 0.03 vs. 0.55 ± 0.03 cm; P=.085) than horses assigned to non-supplemented controls (CON). Horses assigned to LP had greater plasma biotin concentrations (2158 ± 69 vs. 636 ± 62 ng/L; P < .001) and proportions of erucic acid in hoof tissue (1.03 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.07 %; P=.049) as compared to CON. Further, the most abundant fatty acids in hoof tissue were stearic, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. LinPro may provide an effective treatment to improve hoof growth rates in horses with otherwise healthy hooves.

Aquatic Macrophytes are Seasonally Important Dietary Resources for Moose

Moose (Alces alces) are generalist herbivores, but are important aquatic-terrestrial ecotone specialists. Aquatic macrophytes are a high-quality food source for moose during summer, but the importance of aquatic food sources to the moose diet is difficult to study. We used stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen from moose hooves and forage (terrestrial plants, aquatic macrophytes, and arboreal lichen) to assess the diet of moose at Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA, using Bayesian mixing models. We also evaluated the isotopic variability along chronologies of serially sampled hooves. Overall, our mixing models indicate that 13%–27% of the summer moose diet was aquatic in origin. Among moose that died during winter, body condition was impaired and hoof 15N was higher where aquatic habitats were sparse. Although isotope chronologies preserved in hooves could significantly enhance our understanding of ungulate foraging ecology, interpretation of such chronologies is presently limited by our lack of knowledge pertaining to hoof growth rate and seasonal growth variability related to age and health. Distinct isotopic values among terrestrial plants, aquatic macrophytes, and arboreal lichens indicate that continued methodological advances in stable isotope ecology will lead to more precise estimates of the contribution of aquatic feeding to moose population dynamics and other ungulates.

Physics of animal health: on the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form.

Global inequalities in economic access and agriculture productivity imply that a large number of developing countries rely on working equids for transport/agriculture/mining. Therefore, the understanding of hoof conditions/shape variations affecting equids' ability to work is still a persistent concern. To bridge this gap, using a multi-scale interdisciplinary approach, we provide a bio-physical model predicting the shape of equids’ hooves as a function of physical and biological parameters. In particular, we show (i) where the hoof growth stress originates from, (ii) why the hoof growth rate is one order of magnitude higher than the proliferation rate of epithelial cells and (iii) how the soft-to-hard transformation of the epithelium is possible allowing the hoof to fulfil its function as a weight-bearing element. Finally (iv), we demonstrate that the reason for hoof misshaping is linked to the asymmetrical design of equids' feet (shorter quarters/long toe) together with the inability of the biological growth stress to compensate for such an asymmetry. Consequently, the hoof can adopt a dorsal curvature and become ‘dished’ overtime, which is a function of the animal's mass and the hoof growth rate. This approach allows us to discuss the potential occurrence of this multifaceted pathology in equids.

PSXVI-13 Six months of dietary supplementation with LinPro® improves hoof growth rates of mature mares.

PSXVI-13 Six months of dietary supplementation with LinPro® improves hoof growth rates of mature mares.

Effect of two months whole body vibration on hoof growth rate in the horse: A pilot study

Hoof problems are commonly seen in veterinary practice and manipulation of hoof growth rate can be practical and beneficial for that matter. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) on hoof growth rate of front feet in the horse. The study was an experimental, single subject, repeated measure design, with all horses serving as control and treatment. Ten horses were subject to WBV, 30 min, twice daily, five days a week, for 60 days in addition to their regular exercise routine. Hoof growth was measured from the reference hairline down to a horizontal groove in both front feet at 30-day (monthly) intervals starting 30 days before the start of treatment (WBV) up until 60 days post cessation of the treatment (WBV). The data analysis was carried out, by applying several paired t-tests to the mean 30-day hoof growth before, during, and after treatment (WBV). A significant mean increase in hoof growth was seen after 30 days WBV (p < 0.001) as well as after 60 days WBV (p = 0.001) with the increase occurring mainly during the first 30 days of WBV. No prolonged effect on hoof growth rate was seen after cessation of WBV. These results indicate that whole body vibration can be used as a non-invasive, safe and non labor-intensive therapeutic modality to accelerate hoof growth in the horse.

Hoof Growth Rates of the European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) for Dating the Hoof’s Isotopic Archive

Hooves preserve the isotopic information laid down during their growth and may be used for reconstruction of animal feeding history. To assign certain positions along hooves to corresponding times, growth rates are required. Hoof growth rates are known for domestic animals; however, they cannot be obtained easily in wild animals. We estimated the hoof growth rate of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) by using the immediate drop in δ13C along the hoof as a tag that is assigned to the date of maize (Zea mays L.) harvest. Keratin samples were taken each mm along 17 hooves and analyzed for their δ13C. A linear regression between (1) time differences of expected maize harvest to animal death and (2) distances between the points of the δ13C drop to the periople yielded the growth rate. Mean hoof growth rate was 0.122 mm/day (95% CI 0.014 mm/day) and 0.365%/day (±0.026%/day) of the hoof length and within the range of domestic animals. The method may be applied to determine growth rates of other incrementally growing tissues. Our estimated growth rate fosters dating isotopic information in hooves, facilitating research on feed resources and space use of roe deer.

Morphometric changes in the hoof capsule of Criollo foals from birth to weaning

ABSTRACT: South America has numerous Criollo horse breeding farms; however, information on foal hoof growth is still limited and identifying the ideal periods to apply corrective trimming is a frequent concern for horse owners. In the present study, a morphometric analysis of hoof growth was performed on 46 Criollo foals from birth to weaning (0-8 months). Results showed that hoof growth rate was higher in the first four months followed by a decrease until the eighth month. Average growth rate of the hoof was 0.21cm per month, whereas that of the heel was 0.14cm per month. However, no significant differences were observed between medial and lateral heel length or between limbs. Coronary band perimeter and solar width showed an average increase of 0.97cm and 0.46cm per month, respectively, and were significantly correlated (r=0.99, P≤0.01). The characteristic most positively correlated to biometric variables was foal age, followed by solar width, toe length, and coronary band perimeter. In conclusion, hoof length increase in Criollo foals was more intensive during the first four months of life.

Influence of biotin supplementation on hoof growth and integrity in long-fed F1 Wagyu/Black Angus feedlot steers of known genotype

Biotin was supplemented at three levels (0, 10 and 20 mg/steer.day) to 108 F1 Wagyu/Black Angus steers of known genotype, which were fed a wheat-based ration, to evaluate the effect on hoof growth, wear and integrity within feedlot pens. One hundred and eight steers of known sire lines were assigned to three biotin treatments (0, 10 and 20 mg/steer.day) with each treatment replicated four times using an unfasted liveweight of 410.5kg (s.e. ± 2.27, s.d. ± 24.41). A subset of 36 steers was randomly selected for monitoring of hoof growth on seven occasions, over a period of 301 days. Front hooves from selected steers within turn-off group were collected at the abattoir and investigated for hoof integrity through claw lesions, white line width and dry matter of both white line and hoof. Hoof growth rates over time remained relatively consistent. In contrast, hoof wear rates increased (P &lt; 0.001) in association with rainfall and exceeded rates of hoof growth. Biotin supplementation did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) hoof growth or wear. Examination of collected hooves revealed lesions present on both lateral and medial claws. Biotin supplementation had no effect (P &gt; 0.05) on lesion number, white line width of the lateral and medial claws, or hoof and white line dry matter of the medial claw. In contrast, Grandsire had an effect on total hoof length at measurement periods 0, 167, 251 and 301 (P &lt; 0.05), and also on white line width of both lateral (P = 0.015) and medial (P = 0.002) claws. Rainfall and related increase in pen moisture weakened hoof integrity by increasing hoof moisture content and hoof wear. Genotype appears to play a role in hoof integrity.

Three‐dimensional growth of bovine hoof as recorded by carbon stable isotope ratios

To investigate the usefulness of bovine hooves as incremental tissues, the objective of this research was to gain a better understanding of hoof growth in three dimensions. In a controlled experiment, cattle were switched from a barley-based diet to a maize-based diet (C isotopic spacing between diets was 13.6 per thousand) and maintained on this experimental diet for 168 days. To compare growth rates along the hoof wall, three slices were sampled post-mortem from one bovine claw. In addition, one claw from each of three different animals was sampled at different depths from the surface to determine any possible time lag ('offset') in the laying down of keratin tissue layers. From each hoof as many as 41 superficial samples were taken over the first 60 mm, starting at the periople, and up to 12 samples were taken sequentially at increasing depths to a depth of 6 mm at five particular points on the surface. The growth rate of the abaxial wall of the bovine claw increased from the anterior to the posterior region of the bovine hoof. Analysis of the deep samples revealed that the deeper layers were younger than the surface layers. This offset was inversely related to the hoof growth rate, i.e. hooves with a high hoof growth rate showed a smaller offset. Observed offsets ranged between 9.2 +/- 1.8 days per mm in depth for a high and 14.0 +/- 2.8 days per mm in depth for a low hoof growth rate and were significantly different (t > or = 3.92, p < 0.0005, n = 19 or 27). The results of this study demonstrate that when sampling hooves or hoof fragments for applications such as diet reconstruction, careful consideration needs to be given to sample location.

Using hooves for high‐resolution isotopic reconstruction of bovine dietary history

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether sequential sampling and isotopic analysis of bovine hooves could be used to reconstruct the dietary history of cattle. A controlled, on-farm experiment was conducted in which cattle were switched from a barley-based diet to an isotopically different diet incorporating maize, urea and seaweed (the isotopic spacing between diets was 13.6 per thousand for delta(13)C and 8.0 per thousand for delta(15)N) and maintained on that diet for 168 days. Postmortem sampling of the cleaned anterior wall of the lateral, left front claw was carried out on five individuals using a micro-drilling technique. From the first 60 mm of each claw, up to 41 samples with a spacing between them of less than 1 mm were collected. Bands were less than 1 mm deep and had a mean width of 1.2 mm. The hoof keratin showed a rapid increase followed by a slower increase in its delta(13)C and delta(15)N values following the diet switch, suggesting that C and N in hoof keratin originate from more than one pool. However, the response of the N isotope composition of the hoof was somewhat delayed compared with that of C. Estimated mean hoof growth rates for these cattle were 10.5 +/- 2.3 mm per month and 6.7 +/- 1.0 mm per month (+/-SD, n = 5) when receiving the barley-based transition diet and the maize-based experimental diet, respectively. These values are considerably higher than previous estimates obtained by visual methods and they suggest that diet may have a greater influence on hoof growth rates than seasonality. These results demonstrate that hooves are a suitable incremental tissue for high-resolution isotopic reconstruction of the dietary history of bovine animals.

Hail hoof science!

Equine Veterinary JournalVolume 30, Issue S26 p. 2-3 Free Access Hail hoof science! J. D. REILLY, J. D. REILLYSearch for more papers by this author J. D. REILLY, J. D. REILLYSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 June 2010 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05114.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. References Budras, K.D. and Schiel, C. (1996) A comparison of hoof horn quality of the white line in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) and the Przewalski horse (Equus przewalski). Pferdeheilkunde. 12, 641– 645. Cuddeford, D. (1991) Response of equine hoof defects to Farrier's Formula Vet. Rec. 128, 115 (Letter). Murray, W.M. and Stein, P.K. (1958) Lectures on Strain Gauge Techniques. Department of Engineering. University of California, Los Angeles. p 657. Rossdale, P.D., Hopes, R., Wingfield-Digby, N.J. and Offord, K. (1985) Epidemiological study of wastage among racehorses 1982 and 1983. Vet. Rec. 116, 66– 69. Reilly, J.D. (1995) “No hoof no horse?” Equine vet. J. 27, 166– 168. Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J. and Cuddeford, D. (1996) Tubule density in equine hoof horn. Biomimetics, 4, 23– 35. Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J. and Cuddeford, D. (1998) Effect of supplementary dietary biotin on hoof growth and hoof growth rate in ponies: a controlled trial. Equine vet. J., Suppl. 26, 51– 57. Slater, M.R. and Hood, D.M. (1997) A cross sectional epidemiological study of equine hoof wall problems and associated factors. Equine vet. J. 29, 67– 69. Volume30, IssueS26September 1998Pages 2-3 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Paleoecological Significance of Mummified Remains of Pleistocene Horses from the North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska

Radiocarbon dates from horse fossils found on the North Slope of Alaska show that horses did live there during the last peak glacial (Duvanny Yar Interval, Marine Isotope Stage 2). Some previous paleoecological studies have assumed the region's climate was too extreme for large mammals during the Duvanny Yar. Hoof structure suggests the Pleistocene horses survived on winter range characterized by low snowfall and/or snow removal by wind. Hoof growth rate suggests a substantial dietary volume of exposed dead grass during winter; hoof wear pattern indicates the horses were able to remain relatively sedentary, requiring neither long-distance winter migration nor constant digging through snow for food. Bones with mummified soft tissue may have been buried and preserved by wind-drifted eolian silt.

Effects of nutrition and paring on linear hoof growth in sheep

Paring increased the linear hoof growth on the forefeet of Merino wethers by an average of 4.1% (P &lt; 0.05) with a tendency for paring to promote faster growth on the medial digits. Effects of feeding these sheep with 400, 600, or 1000 g pelleted ration day-1 were assessed in a 4 X 4 Latin square design with 28-day periods using four measures of response. An extra (fifth) period was used to determine residual effects. The proportion of residual (carryover) to direct effect was much smaller for hoof growth than for wool. Hoof growth was not related to wool production. In another experiment, hoof growth rate of sheep increased from 103 to 136 8m day-1 when the intake of digestible dry matter was increased from 400 to 600 g day-1 (P&lt; 0.001), and from 115 to 125 8m day -1 (P&gt; 0.05) when the intake of digestible nitrogen was increased from 12 to 25 g day-1. Hoof growth rates of Merino wethers grazing native or sown pasture were not significantly affected by injecting DL-methionine daily into the abomasum. Hoof growth is not an appropriate index of wool growth. It may provide an easily measured, rapidly responsive and cumulative measure of nutritional changes, but its use cannot be recommended until more information is available on the factors that affect it and their interaction with ambient temperature.

Effect of Methionine Hydroxy Analog Supplementation on Dairy Cattle Hoof Growth and Composition1,2

Fifty lactating Holstein cows were assigned randomly to one of two treatments, control and control plus approximately 30g methionine hydroxy analog, and confined on concrete for 11 mo. The control diet consisted of sorghum silage and concentrate fed as a blended ration. Sulfur contents of dry matter were .12% and .16% for control and methionine hydroxy analog rations. Hoof growth and hardness were measured on front and rear right abaxial claws in the dorsal and lateral regions. Hoof growth rates were measured for four periods; summer-fall, fall-winter, winter-spring, and spring-summer, each 70 to 90 days. Hooves of cows fed methionine hydroxy analog grew faster than those of control cows during spring-summer in all regions. Variations of growth rates of hooves were seasonal and tended to follow variations in daily photoperiod. Wear rates were not affected significantly by treatment. Hooves of cows fed methionine hydroxy analog were softer in the top dorsal region at the end of winter-spring and in the dorsal toe region at the end of spring-summer. All other locations were not affected significantly by treatment. The toe region was harder than the top of the hoof. Cows fed methionine hydroxy analog had less cysteine and proline in hoof than control cows and greater percentages of methionine lysine, tyrosine, and glutamic acid. These results suggest that a decrease of disulfide bonding occurred in the hoof tissue of cows fed methionine hydroxy analog. Cows fed methionine hydroxy analog produced more actual milk, milk fat, and 4% fat-corrected milk during 180 days than did control cows.