External Characteristics of the Lateral Aspect of the Hoof Differ Between Non-lame and Lame Horses

There is anecdotal information that poor foot conformation or balance are associated with an increased risk of foot-related lameness. It is generally accepted that in an ideally conformed horse free from lameness the dorsal hoof wall and heel should be parallel, with a straight pastern-hoof axis. The horn tubules are parallel; the growth rings are parallel but with variable separation. The coronary band should show mediolateral symmetry; a line drawn between any 2 comparable points medially and laterally should be parallel to the ground. There is a paucity of evidence-based information concerning foot conformation, although horses with asymmetrical feet leave the sports horse population earlier than horses with symmetrical feet. The purpose of this study was to document photographically the foot shape and external hoof characteristics of lame and non-lame horses. It was hypothesised that: 1. dorsopalmar hoof shape is different between non-lame and lame horses; and 2. coronary band shape, horn tubule and growth ring orientation are changed in chronically lame horses. […]