Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes
Most horses are used with horseshoes additionally supported by either dorsoabaxial or dorsal clips. The effects of such clips on bone density and shape of the distal phalanx are currently unclear. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between density and shape of the distal phalanx, com...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038/full |
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| author | Lisa Henrietta Ennsmann Theresia Franziska Licka Theresia Franziska Licka |
| author_facet | Lisa Henrietta Ennsmann Theresia Franziska Licka Theresia Franziska Licka |
| author_sort | Lisa Henrietta Ennsmann |
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| description | Most horses are used with horseshoes additionally supported by either dorsoabaxial or dorsal clips. The effects of such clips on bone density and shape of the distal phalanx are currently unclear. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between density and shape of the distal phalanx, comparing front hooves unshod or shod with standard shoes either with two dorsoabaxial clips or with a single dorsal clip. Researchers analyzed Oxspring radiographs of either the left or right front hoof from warmblood horses (n = 137) and ponies (n = 43) aged 3–28 years. The evaluation focused on distal phalanx density at the margo solearis, particularly at three locations corresponding to the clip positions: dorsomedial, dorsal, and dorsolateral. The study examined horse related variables such as age, breed, use, and shoeing type in relation to density parameters, presence of a crena marginalis solearis, an anatomical variation that is an indentation dorsal on the margo solearis, and the shape of the distal phalanx. Distal phalanges of hooves shod with dorsoabaxial clips showed a significantly (p < 0.001) lower width to length ratio (median 1.31, minimum 0.70, maximum 1.66) compared to those with a single dorsal clip (median 1.40, minimum 0.89, maximum 1.75). The width to length ratio of unshod hooves (median 1.37, minimum 0.80, maximum 1.82) was not significantly different from both groups of shod hooves. The results of this study should be considered when selecting horseshoes for equids. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3feb9c2f97a9424e914b9bd93744cb04 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-3feb9c2f97a9424e914b9bd93744cb042025-07-25T16:21:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-07-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15980381598038Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoesLisa Henrietta Ennsmann0Theresia Franziska Licka1Theresia Franziska Licka2Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Large Animal Hospital, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, United KingdomMost horses are used with horseshoes additionally supported by either dorsoabaxial or dorsal clips. The effects of such clips on bone density and shape of the distal phalanx are currently unclear. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between density and shape of the distal phalanx, comparing front hooves unshod or shod with standard shoes either with two dorsoabaxial clips or with a single dorsal clip. Researchers analyzed Oxspring radiographs of either the left or right front hoof from warmblood horses (n = 137) and ponies (n = 43) aged 3–28 years. The evaluation focused on distal phalanx density at the margo solearis, particularly at three locations corresponding to the clip positions: dorsomedial, dorsal, and dorsolateral. The study examined horse related variables such as age, breed, use, and shoeing type in relation to density parameters, presence of a crena marginalis solearis, an anatomical variation that is an indentation dorsal on the margo solearis, and the shape of the distal phalanx. Distal phalanges of hooves shod with dorsoabaxial clips showed a significantly (p < 0.001) lower width to length ratio (median 1.31, minimum 0.70, maximum 1.66) compared to those with a single dorsal clip (median 1.40, minimum 0.89, maximum 1.75). The width to length ratio of unshod hooves (median 1.37, minimum 0.80, maximum 1.82) was not significantly different from both groups of shod hooves. The results of this study should be considered when selecting horseshoes for equids.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038/fullhorsedistal phalanxradiologyhorseshoeclips |
| spellingShingle | Lisa Henrietta Ennsmann Theresia Franziska Licka Theresia Franziska Licka Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes Frontiers in Veterinary Science horse distal phalanx radiology horseshoe clips |
| title | Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes |
| title_full | Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes |
| title_fullStr | Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes |
| title_short | Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes |
| title_sort | association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence presence and type of horseshoes |
| topic | horse distal phalanx radiology horseshoe clips |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038/full |
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