Farrier Takeaways

• A 2019 study found that horses over 16 hands high (hh) are presented with more upright feet compared with those under 16 hh, with mass, as well as height. They also have a significant influence on the conformation of the hoof.

• As body mass increased in the study, the left hoof spread ratio increased by 5% at the same time as the dorsal wall angle of the right hoof increased. In essence, as the mass increased, the right foot became more upright while the left foot became more angled.

• The more upright boxy hoof conformation in larger horses in the study indicate that the horn tubules within the stratum medium are arranged in a more vertical orientation. This vertical orientation offers a greater capacity to support the higher loading associated with a larger body mass.