In a project that is likely to benefit the racing industry and protect horses from musculoskeletal injury—one of the main animal welfare concerns in the industry—an international research team is working to understand how horseshoes affect foot skeleton stress in racehorses.
The team which hails from the University of Queensland in Australia, the Royal Veterinary College in the UK and Brown University in the USA, has harnessed a new approach that combines 3D X-ray imaging technology with computer simulations and models of the forces exerted on bones.
Their research involved walking a thoroughbred between three-dimensional radiographs, an imaging technique developed by Professor Stephen Gatesy and colleagues at Brown University, and used previously to view bone interaction in small animals such as fish and birds.
UQ School of Biomedical Sciences research team leader, Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou, then used film industry animation techniques to transform the radiographic data into a life-size three-dimensional model.
“By combining the 3D model with other research data we were able to measure the force the horse’s foot bones generated when they hit the ground, and develop comprehensive simulations,” said Dr Panagiotopoulou.
She added, “This novel combination has enabled us to study the effect of a stainless steel horseshoe on skeletal stresses within the forefoot in a live racehorse, [and] is the first time this combination of techniques has been used in large live animals such as horses.”
The method was used effectively in a preliminary case study at the Royal Veterinary College in London.
“We believe this work could pave the way for new directions in research which will minimise foot injuries and improve animal health and welfare,” enthused Dr Panagiotopoulou.
But it’s still early days.
Royal Veterinary College vertebrate biomechanics and evolutionary anatomy researcher Professor John Hutchinson said further research was necessary.
“We need to undertake further studies with more horses moving at faster speeds and gaits, and with a similar focus on the hind feet.”
Dr Panagiotopoulou agreed. “Future research using more animals will enhance our understanding of what regions of the horses’ feet are most at risk of damage.”
The research is published in the PeerJ journal. The article can be viewed here.
