Influence of growth-related changes in hoof shape on hoof wall mechanics

by Franchetto, Linda Jane

INFLUENCE OF GROWTH RELATED CHANGES IN HOOF SHAPE ON HOOF WALL MECHANICS Linda Jane Franchetto University of Guelph, 2000 Supervisor: Dr. J. J. Thornason Surface strains were recorded, using rosette strain gauges for the nght fiont hoof of five horses. Hoof shape was quantifïed by five measurements: toe length, toe angle, heel angle, medial waU length, and latera! wall length. Recordings and measurements were repeated weekly for five weeks (between shoeings). Relationships were examined between strains @eak compressive strain, time-to-pealg strain orientation) and time, the shape measurement and the, and between main and shape. Toe length, medial wall length, and lateral wall length increased signincantly with time but heel angle and toe angle did not. None of the strain variables showed significant relationships with the or with the shape rneasurements. The greatest source of variation was fiom stride to stride, possibly masking other trends. The small changes hoof shape did not cause significant alteration in its mechanical fùnction.