Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T02:44:50.976Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Changes in shape of the Standardbred distal phalanx and hoof capsule in response to exercise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2006

CD Cruz ,
JJ Thomason ,
B Faramarzi ,
WW Bignell ,
W Sears ,
H Dobson  and
NB Konyer
CD Cruz*
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
JJ Thomason
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
B Faramarzi
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
WW Bignell
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
W Sears
Affiliation:
Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
H Dobson
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
NB Konyer
Affiliation:
Imaging Research Centre, Brain-Body Institute, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, USA
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine whether the equine distal phalanx changes in shape in response to exercise and to relate any osseous changes to those in the hoof capsule. Eighteen mature Standardbred horses were randomly divided into exercise and control groups. Exercised horses were jogged on a straight track at individual mean speeds between 4 and 8 m s− 1 for 10–45 min, 4 days per week for 16 weeks. Both groups were similarly shod and pastured on the same field. Before and after the training period, each horse had digital photographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI) made of the right forehoof. Five linear measurements of the distal phalanx were recorded from the MRI and 24 measurements of the hoof capsule were made on the digital photographs. Small but significant changes in bone width (P = 0.039) were found in the controls and in two sagittal measurements of bone length (P = 0.039, 0.001, respectively) for the exercise group. These changes were slight and did not correlate with changes in shape of the hoof capsule, suggesting that the bone acts as a stable platform for supporting the capsule and withstanding loads.

Keywords

horsedistal phalanxhoofexercise
Type
Research Paper
Information
Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 3 , Issue 4 , November 2006 , pp. 199 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Douglas, JE, Mittal, C, Thomason, JJ and Jofriet, JC (1996). The modulus of elasticity of equine hoof wall: Implications for the mechanical function of the hoof. Journal of Experimental Biology 199: 1829–1836.Google Scholar
2Thomason, JJ (1998). Variation in surface strain on the equine hoof wall at the midstep with shoeing, gait, substrate, direction of travel, and hoof shape. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 26: 86–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3Balch, O, White, K and Butler, D (1991). Factors involved in the balancing of equine hooves. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 198: 1980–1989.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Thomason, JJ, Bignell, WW and Sears, W (2001). Components of variation of surface hoof strain with time. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 33: 63–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Thomason, JJ, Bignell, WW, Batiste, D and Sears, W (2004). Effects of hoof shape, body mass and velocity on surface strain in the wall of the unshod forehoof of Standardbreds trotting on a treadmill. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 1: 87–97.Google Scholar
6Redden, RF (2003). Hoof capsule distortion: Understanding the mechanisms as a basis for rational management. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice 19: 443–462.Google Scholar
7Thomason, JJ, McClinchey, HL, Faramarzi, B and Jofriet, JC (2005). Mechanical behavior and quantitative morphology of the equine laminar junction. Anatomical Record 283: 366–379.Google Scholar
8McCarthy, RN and Jeffcott, LB (1991). Treadmill exercise intensity and its effects on cortical bone in horses of various ages. Equine Exercise Physiology 3: 419–428.Google Scholar
9McCarthy, RN and Jeffcott, LB (1992). Effects of treadmill exercise on cortical bone in the third metacarpus of young horses. Research in Veterinary Science 52: 28–37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10O'Sullivan, CB, Dart, AJ, Malikides, N, Rawlinson, RJ, Hutchins, DR and Hodgson, DR (1999). Nonsurgical management of type II fractures of the distal phalanx in 48 Standardbred horses. Australian Veterinary Journal 77: 501–503.Google Scholar
11Yovich, JV (1989). Fractures of the distal phalanx in the horse. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice 5: 145–160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Linford, RL, O'Brien, TR and Trout, DR (1993). Qualitative and morphometric radiographic findings in the distal phalanx and digital soft tissues of sound Thoroughbred racehorses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 54: 38–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Redano, VT and Grant, B (1978). The equine third phalanx: Its radiographic appearance. Veterinary Radiology 19: 125–135.Google Scholar
14Biewener, AA, Thomason, J, Goodship, A and Lanyon, LE (1983). Bone stress in the horse forelimb during locomotion at different gaits: A comparison of two experimental methods. Journal of Biomechanics 16 (8): 565–576.Google Scholar
15Davies, HM (2001). Relationships between third metacarpal bone parameters and surface strains. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 33: 16–20.Google Scholar
16Davies, HM, Gale, SM and Baker, ID (1999). Radiographic measures of bone shape in young Thoroughbreds during training for racing. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 30: 262–265.Google Scholar
17Hiney, KM, Nielsen, BD and Rosenstein, D (2004). Short-duration exercise and confinement alters bone mineral content and shape in weanling horses. Journal of Animal Science 82: 2313–2320.Google Scholar
18Buckingham, SHW and Jeffcott, LB (1991). Skeletal effects of a long term submaximal exercise programme on Standardbred yearlings. Equine Exercise Physiology 3: 411–418.Google Scholar
19Jeffcott, LB, Buckingham, SHW and McCarthy, RN (1987). Noninvasive measurement of bone quality in horses and changes associated with exercise. Equine Exercise Physiology 2: 615–630.Google Scholar
20Kane, AJ, Stover, SM, Gardner, IA, Bock, KB, Case, JT, Johnson, BJ et al. (1998). Hoof size, shape, and balance as possible risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury of Thoroughbred racehorses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 59 (12): 1545–1552.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21Douglas, JE and Thomason, JJ (2000). Shape, orientation and spacing of the primary epidermal laminae in the hooves of neonatal and adult horses (Equus caballus). Cells Tissues Organs 166: 304–318.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Thomason, JJ, Douglas, JE and Sears, W (2001). Morphology of the laminar junction in relation to the shape of the hoof capsule and distal phalanx in adult horses (Equus caballus). Cells Tissues Organs 168: 295–311.Google Scholar
23Murray, RC, Dyson, SJ, Schramme, MC, Branch, M and Woods, S (2003). Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine digit with chronic laminitis. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 44: 609–617.Google Scholar
24Denoix, J, Crevier, N, Roger, B and Lebas, J (1993). Magnetic resonance imaging of the equine foot. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 34: 405–411.Google Scholar
25Kaser-Hotz, B, Sartoretti-Shefer, S and Weiss, R (1994). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the normal equine carpus. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 36: 405–411.Google Scholar
26Kleiter, M, Kneissl, S, Stanek, C, Mayrhofer, E, Baulain, U and Deegen, E (1999). Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the equine digit. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 40: 15–22.Google Scholar
27Landis, JR and Koch, GG (1977). The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 33: 159–174.Google Scholar
28van Harreveld, PD, Lillich, JD, Kawcak, CE, Gaughan, EM, McLaughlin, RM and DeBowes, RM (2002). Clinical evaluation of the effects of immobilization followed by remobilization and exercise on the metacarpophalangeal joint in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 63: 282–288.Google Scholar
29Nunamaker, DM (2002). Relationships of exercise regimen and racetrack surface to modeling/remodeling of the third metacarpal bone in two year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 15: 195–199.Google Scholar
30Nielsen, BD, O'Connor, CI, Rosenstein, DS, Schott, HC and Clayton, HM (2002). Influence of trotting and supplemental weight on metacarpal bone development. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 34: 236–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar