Effects of different shoeing conditions on equine cervical and back kinematics during walking and trotting on a soft surface
- PMID: 39276952
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105194
Effects of different shoeing conditions on equine cervical and back kinematics during walking and trotting on a soft surface
Abstract
There is a paucity of scientific data on the effect of shoeing on equine neck and back kinematics during locomotion over commonly used sand training surfaces. A better appreciation of how alterations at hoof-ground interface influence equine upper body movements is relevant for improving horse's health and performance. Our objectives were to determine the effects of different shoeing conditions on equine neck and back kinematics at walk and trot in straight line over sand. Two-dimensional kinematic video analysis was performed under seven shoeing conditions: front feet shod with aluminum shoes and hind feet with steel racehorse shoes (REFSHOD), front aluminum shoe and hind feet unshod (FORESHOD), front feet unshod and hind steel race shoes (HINDSHOD), all four feet unshod (UNSHOD), front feet shod in combination with hind egg bar shoes (hEGGBAR), hind wide toe shoes (hTOE) and hind reverse shoes (hREVERSE). Data indicated that joint angles in the cervicothoracic junction were four times more likely to be significantly affected by the shoeing condition than in the back and sacrum. FORESHOD largely modifies the kinematics in comparison to REFSHOD or UNSHOD, with respectively a 6-11±1-2° (P<0.001) increased cervicothoracic extension at walk and trot, and a 3-4±1° (P<0.05) increased thoracolumbar flexion at trot. In comparison to REFSHOD, hEGGBAR, hTOE and hREVERSE induce a 5-7±1-2° (P<0.05) increased cervicothoracic extension at trot and walk respectively, and UNSHOD induced cervicothoracic flexion at trot (6±2°, P<0.05). In conclusion, shoeing conditions impact equine neck and back position, which should be considered during clinical examination, rehabilitation and training.
Keywords: Back; Cervical; Equine; Kinematics; Shoeing.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
Similar articles
-
Shoe configuration effects on equine forelimb gait kinetics at a walk.PeerJ. 2025 Feb 26;13:e18940. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18940. eCollection 2025. PeerJ. 2025. PMID: 40028219 Free PMC article.
-
Effects of sand, asphalt, and a three degrees hind toe or heel elevation on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics at walk and trot.J Equine Vet Sci. 2025 Sep 4;154:105697. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105697. Online ahead of print. J Equine Vet Sci. 2025. PMID: 40914497
-
Toe modifications in hind feet shoes optimise hoof-unrollment in sound Warmblood horses at trot.Equine Vet J. 2013 Jul;45(4):485-9. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00659.x. Epub 2012 Oct 23. Equine Vet J. 2013. PMID: 23094947
-
Horseshoe effects on equine gait-A systematic scoping review.Vet Surg. 2025 Jan;54(1):31-51. doi: 10.1111/vsu.14162. Epub 2024 Sep 15. Vet Surg. 2025. PMID: 39278729 Free PMC article.
-
The role and importance of farriery in equine veterinary practice.Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2003 Aug;19(2):273-83. doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(03)00022-1. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2003. PMID: 14575160 Review.