查看文章

Trimming is routinely performed in horses, with direct effects on hoof structures; however, the immediate effect on forelimb joints is unknown. Thus, we investigated the immediate effect of trimming on hoof structures and angulation of the thoracic limb joints through linear and angular measurements. Differences were found in hoof length, toe angle, heel angle, medial heel height, and metacarpophalangeal angle after the procedure, proving the immediate effect of the procedure. Correlations were found between trimming and the proximal joint angles.

It is important to understand the effects of hoof trimming on hoof and limb conformation to maximize its benefits on the health of the appendicular skeleton of horses, thus promoting improvements in athletic performance and sporting longevity with regard to athletic horses. There is little information on possible changes in the angulation of the thoracic limb joints after hoof trimming and correlations between the angulation of the thoracic limb joints with hoof measurements. To that purpose, nineteen Mangalarga mares received routine hoof trimming. Visual recordings (photographs) were taken before and after the procedure. Differences (p < 0.05) were found in hoof length, toe angle, heel angle, medial heel height, and metacarpophalangeal angle. Before trimming, correlations were found between frog length and scapulohumeral angle (SH) (r = −0.457; p = 0.049), and between toe length and shoulder-ground angle (SG) (r = −0.553; p = 0.049). A correlation was also seen between the distance from the frog to the lateral wall and the SH angle (r …