An Investigation into the Effects of Changing Dorso-Plantar Hoof Balance on Equine Hind Limb Posture

SIMPLE SUMMARY: A link between hind hoof balance and pathologies in the hind limb of horses is emerging. However, the timeline of causation remains elusive, meaning a lack of treatment protocols within the veterinary and farriery industries. One area suggested as a link between the hind hoof balance and pathologies is hind limb posture. This study aimed to test the theory of the hoof being a neuro-sensory organ responsible for informing equine stance and the suggestion of a functional link between the hoof balance and hind limb posture. All horses presenting with negative plantar angles, a severe form of long toe, low heel conformation, also presented with a canted-in posture which was changed by farriery intervention. The implications for practice suggest that both the hind hoof balance and the pathologies in the hind limb and trunk could be resultant from the presenting posture, therefore showing the importance of a multi-profession approach to managing both hoof balance and higher pathologies, and the importance of correction in the treatment of postural dysfunction and pathology within the hind limb and trunk. Postural assessment should become part of farriery protocol and be incorporated into intervention decisions. ABSTRACT: Links between poor hind hoof balance, pathologies in the hind limb and associated altered posture have been suggested but not quantified. The hoof is proposed as a neuro-sensory organ responsible for informing equine stance with implications for musculoskeletal health in the hind limb and trunk of the horse. This study aims to quantify equine limb posture and its relationship with hoof balance. Twelve horses presenting with negative plantar angles were photographed and limb posture documented before and after the creation of positive plantar angles and improved three-dimensional proportions around the centre of rotation of the distal-interphalangeal joint, using farriery prosthetics. The results showed that horses presenting with negative plantar angles had canted-in postures and that farriery intervention had a significant effect on hind limb orientation in seven of these horses. There was a significant difference in metatarsal angle pre and post intervention with the mean for pre intervention being 81.3° ± 5.1 and post intervention being 88.0° ± 3.8 in the right hind and 74.4° ± 3.7 and 87.1° ± 2.9 in the left hind. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that the hoof balance informs equine stance and can play a role in affecting limb posture.