Background: Trimming and shoeing of a horse should be customised to the needs and conformation of the individual which can be challenging. Objectives: To investigate the effects of tailormade three-dimensional (3D) printed plastic shoes on kinematic and kinetic parameters when compared to traditional standard steel shoes. Study design: Pilot study with cross-over design. Methods: Six horses underwent one plastic shoeing cycle, and two steel shoeing cycles (front hooves) of seven weeks in semi-randomised order. Kinematic data (accelerations measured with 3D inertial measurement units on the hooves) and kinetic data (vertical ground reaction forces and hoof balance curves determined using a pressure-force system) were collected in week 1 (W1) and week 7 (W7) of each cycle. Data were analysed using linear mixed effect models. Results: Horses shod with plastic shoes had lower peak decelerations and mean vibration frequencies in the dorsopalmar axis at W1 ([338.9±42.7; 502.2±65.4] m/s 2, p < 0.001 and [193.1±6.0; 223.5±6.3] Hz, p < 0.001) and the proximodistal axis at W7 ([690.9±53.8; 905.1±52.8] m/s 2, p < 0.001 and [172.9±5.4; 199.5±5.6] Hz, p < 0.001) compared to steel shoes. Also, the peak vertical force and vertical impulse were higher at W1 ([7.5±0.3; 6.6±0.3] N/kg, p < 0.001 and [1.53±0.052; 1.35±0.051] N∙s/kg, p = 0.001) and W7 ([7.6±0.3; 6.2±0.3] N/kg, p < 0.001 and [1.53±0.051; 1.22±0.052] N∙s/kg, p < 0.001). Horses shod with plastic shoes had a more equal pressure distribution between the toe-heel region and the medio-lateral region at W1 and W7. Main limitations: The two types of shoes differed in shape (steel: standard; plastic: frog support). Conclusions: Tailormade 3D printed plastic shoes seemed to cause less friction with the hard surface, had a dampening effect on the impact vibrations, and resulted in an increased loading of the front limbs and a more equal pressure distribution compared to steel shoes.

Background: Data on equine thoracic pathology hardly exist in other breeds than Thoroughbreds. Objectives: To describe pathological changes of the osseous thoracic vertebral column in Warmblood horses, Shetland ponies and Konik horses, and to compare prevalence and severity. Study design: Descriptive post-mortem study. Methods: Computed tomography examined the thoracic vertebral column of 34 Warmblood horses, 28 Shetland ponies, and 18 Konik horses. Osteoarthritis (OA), periarticular osteolysis (PO), cyst-like lesions (CLL) and fragments of articular processes (APJs), costovertebral (CVJs) and costotransverse (CTJs) joints, soft tissue (ST) mineralisation surrounding these joints, intervertebral disc (IVD) mineralisation, impingement of spinous processes (SPs) and spondylosis were scored. Results: APJ aplasia (98%; 58/ 59) occurred in 14 Shetland ponies. OA predominated in Warmblood horses across all joints (45% vs. 29 and 32%, p<0.001). OA and PO were particularly found in CTJs (p<0.001) across all breeds. Warmblood and Konik horses showed more and severe ST mineralisation than Shetland ponies (2.3%, score 1.5 and 3.2%, score 1.3, respectively, vs. 0.3%, score 0.9, p<0.01). Mid location was most often affected with highest severity score (4.2%, 1.5, p=0.001). Konik horses displayed the highest IVD mineralisation (20%, p<0.001), which notably increased with age (p<0.001) compared to Warmblood horses (4.5%) and Shetland ponies (1.1%). SPs impingement was absent in Shetland ponies, and most prevalent in Warmblood horses (11.2%, p=0.0004) compared to Konik horses (2.2%). CLL, fragments and spondylosis were minimal in all breeds, nearly absent in Shetland ponies. Main limitations: Clinical histories were unavailable. Conclusions: Distinct breed differences exist in prevalence and severity of thoracic vertebral column osseous pathologies. CTJ pathology prevails over APJ in all breeds. Warmblood horses are prone to OA, spondylosis and SPs impingement; Konik horses exhibit significant IVD mineralisation, and Shetland ponies demonstrate high APJ aplasia . PO, CLL, fragments and ST mineralisation are notably low in Shetland ponies.