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Mouldable, thermoplastic, glue-on frog-supportive shoes change hoof kinetics in normal and obese Shetland ponies

  • J Sleutjens*
  • , F M Serra Bragança
  • , M W van Empelen
  • , R E Ten Have
  • , J de Zwaan
  • , E Roelfsema
  • , M. Oosterlinck
  • , W Back
  • *Corresponding author for this work
    • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, NL-3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
    • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Obesity and hyperinsulinaemia are frequently encountered in the equine population and risk factors for the development of laminitis. There are many options for hoof support that claim a beneficial effect, but often the scientific evidence is scarce.

    OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of frog-supportive shoes on hoof kinetics in normal and obese ponies.

    STUDY DESIGN: Controlled in vivo trial.

    METHODS: Ten Shetland mares (n = 10) with a normal (n = 5) or obese (n = 5) body condition were led over a dynamically calibrated pressure plate before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 72 hours (T2) after application of the shoes. The following locomotor variables were measured: stance duration (StDur), vertical impulse (VI), peak vertical force (PVF), time to PVF, and time from PVF to lift off. The hoof print was divided into a toe and heel region and the StDur toe-heel index was calculated. The toe-heel hoof balance curves of the vertical force were plotted throughout the stance phase.

    RESULTS: The VI and PVF increased significantly 72 hours after application of the shoes, when compared with T0 and T1. The StDur toe-heel index and toe-heel balance curves were significantly different between the normal and obese ponies. These variables became more comparable between the groups after application of the frog-supportive shoes.

    MAIN LIMITATIONS: It would have been interesting to measure the effect of the shoe in patients with acute laminitis. However, this would have had major welfare implications.

    CONCLUSIONS: The obese ponies moved more carefully than the normal group, demonstrated by a decreased loading of the toe area. The data illustrate that the ponies became more comfortable 72 hours after application of the shoes, with a pronounced effect in the obese group. Thus, these results suggest that frog-supportive shoes could be beneficial, especially for obese ponies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)684-689
    JournalEquine veterinary journal. Supplement
    Volume50
    Issue number5
    Early online date21 Jan 2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2018

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    Keywords

    • Journal Article

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