Influence of hoof trimming to the ground reaction forces in horses at walk.

The aim of this study was to examine changes of the ground reaction forces in adult warmblood horses at walk before and after hoof-trimming as well as one trimming period later. Seven sound horses, whose anterior feet landed on the lateral side wall first, were used for this study. At walk, the ground reaction forces of these anterior feet were measured using a force plate. The hoof dimensions were determined (length, angle, and height of dorsal, lateral, and medial hoof wall). Then, the hooves were trimmed and the length of the removed horn was measured; afterwards the force plate measurement was repeated. After one trimming period (mean duration = 10 weeks, SD = 2.7 weeks) the hoof growth and the attrition were determined, and the force plate measurement was repeated in six horses. Trimming led to a temporary significant decrease (p < 0.05) of the transversal pulse. No significant difference in the hoof shape and impulses could be found before hoof trimming and one trimming period later.