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Tailormade 3D-printed shoes alter hoof kinematics and kinetics at trot: a pilot study
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  • Merel Charlotte Hartmann,
  • Jeanne Parmentier,
  • Solvor Nyland Malmei,
  • Nikae te Moller,
  • Harold Brommer
Merel Charlotte Hartmann
Universiteit Utrecht Faculteit Diergeneeskunde

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jeanne Parmentier
Universiteit Utrecht Faculteit Diergeneeskunde
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Solvor Nyland Malmei
Universiteit Utrecht Faculteit Diergeneeskunde
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Nikae te Moller
Universiteit Utrecht Faculteit Diergeneeskunde
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Harold Brommer
Universiteit Utrecht Faculteit Diergeneeskunde
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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.
15 Nov 2024Submitted to Equine Veterinary Journal
19 Nov 2024Submission Checks Completed
19 Nov 2024Assigned to Editor
19 Nov 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Nov 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned