A preliminary study of a geometric proportioned foot trim on the bearing surface of the equine front foot

摘要

The reason for performing the study was to try to quantify a foot trimming protocol that would meet static and dynamic foot balance criteria. The objective was to check the validity of the geometric proportions theory (Duckett 1990), and to investigate the relevance of the centre of rotation (COR) to centre of pressure (COP) measurements in relation to the other anatomical reference points on the basal ground bearing surface of the hoof, and their possible relationship with foot function and hoof mechanism. The hooves of 25 cadaver lower limbs were photographed and measured using a computer software analysis system (Ontrack) in five states: pre-trim, post-trim (eight, post-shoe), digital x-ray and post-sagittal dissection. Duckett's theory proved to be valid, with the toe to centre of rotation measurement and the dorsal toe length having a 1:1 ratio, and the centre of pressure/centre of rotation measurement proved to be inversely linked to heel width. The research did not support the common belief that the centre of rotation equally bisects the ground bearing surface. In conclusion, Duckett's theories stand up to scientific scrutiny, and the centre of pressure/ centre of rotation measurements relate to heel width and, as a result, are linked to foot function and hoof mechanism. The centre of rotation splits the trimmed ground bearing surface of the foot 60:40 dorso/palmar. This study provides a solid foundation of basic data that facilitates progression towards a science-based trimming and shoeing protocol that achieves the optimum biomechanical function for any given conformation.