Sarah Seery

and 6 more

BACKGROUND: Intervention by hoof care professionals is critical for a functioning equine hoof. Pressure distribution provides information on loading, however information on the effects of such interventions on pressure distribution is lacking OBJECTIVES: To describe the pressure changes of equine fore feet following trimming. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study METHODS: 50 sound horses were recruited through convenience sampling. 18 external hoof measures of the dorsal, lateral, medial and solar aspects were obtained before and after trimming from 94 fore feet. Horses were walked over a pressure mat before and after trimming and pressure maps of the solar surface created. Percentage change in hoof measures were assessed. Factors associated with an increase in pressure in the frog region after trimming were entered into a forward likelihood ratio logistic regression model. Odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and area under the curve receiver operator characteristics (AUROC) were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated at a cut-off value of P=0.5. RESULTS: Trimming resulted in a significant increase in pressure, topographically mapped to the frog region, in 12/94 feet. Percentage difference in bearing border length (OR 0.66 95% CI 0.51; 0.86), heel buttress to centre of pressure distance (OR 1.30 95% CI 1.10; 1.53), heel angle (from the lateral side) (OR 1.11 95% CI 1.04; 1.19) and heel length (from the medial side) (OR 0.92 95% CI 0.85; 0.99) were retained in the final model associated with increased pressure in the frog region following trimming. AUROC was excellent (0.94 95% CI 0.88; 0.99) with fair sensitivity (58%) and excellent specificity (98%) at P=0.5. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Subjective lameness exam only. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring pressure changes over the solar surface of the equine fore foot after trimming identified that an increased pressure in the frog region was linked to specific changes in hoof shape.