Effects of squared toe or perimeter fit horseshoes on quality of movement and gait kinematics of the western pleasure horse
ABSTRACT Our objective was to evaluate gait quality and kinematics of the western pleasure horse shod with a squared toe aluminum shoe (ST) in comparison with a perimeter fit aluminum shoe (PF) on the thoracic digit. Nine Quarter horses were used in a repeated measures study and randomly selected to be shod with either a ST or PF shoe for 6 wk and then reshod with the opposing treatment. Horses were videoed being ridden at the walk, jog, and lope 2 wk after each shoeing cycle. Evaluations of forelimb gait kinematics (stride length, metacarpophalangeal extension, humeroradial and carpal range of motion) were performed by EquineTec gait software analysis (Equine Tec Inc. Monroe, GA) and evaluation of quality of movement was conducted by 10 equine judging professionals. Quality of movement scores were not different (P 0.45) for the walk, jog, or lope. Kinematic advantages of the PF treatment were revealed, including increased humeroradial extension (P