Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2019; 32(S 03): A1-A12
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1692234
Podium Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Relationship between Sagittal Hoof Balance and Hindlimb Lameness in the Horse

L.M. Pezzanite
1   Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
,
C.E. Kawcak
2   Clinical Sciences, Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
,
L.R. Goodrich
2   Clinical Sciences, Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
,
L. Bass
1   Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
,
V.J. Moorman
3   Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 May 2019 (online)

 
 

    Introduction: The identification of factors associated with lameness could be one method to decrease lameness incidence and prolong the competitive life of the equine athlete. The objective of this study was to determine if there was an association between sagittal plane hoof balance and hindlimb lameness. We hypothesized that horses with hindlimb lameness would have a higher prevalence of negative/neutral plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PADP).

    Materials and Methods: Eighty client-owned horses with hindlimb lameness localized with regional anesthesia (cases) and eighty horses with no detectable hindlimb lameness (controls) were prospectively enrolled. Lameness cases were categorized by location (stifle, tarsus, proximal metatarsus, and other sites). Lateromedial radiographs were performed of hind hooves and PADP determined. Mean PADPs were calculated and analyzed with linear regression. Logistic regression was performed and used to calculate odds ratios. Significance set at p < 0.05.

    Results: Mean PADP was 1.76° less in cases than controls, with a significantly lower PADP in horses with lameness localized to tarsus and proximal metatarsus. Lame horses were 3.8 times more likely to have a negative/neutral PADP; horses with lameness localized to the tarsus and proximal metatarsus were 5.2 and 5.5 times more likely to have negative/neutral PADP, respectively.

    Discussion/Conclusion: It is unknown whether negative/neutral PADP contributes to lameness or lameness resulted in lower PADP. Corrective Farriery to improve PADP may be one component to investigate in prevention or treatment of hindlimb lameness localized to regions proximal to the foot.

    Acknowledgment: The authors acknowledge the American Quarter Horse Association for financial support of this study.


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    No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).