Tailormade 3D-printed shoes alter hoof kinematics and kinetics at trot:
a pilot study
Abstract
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.