{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,7]],"date-time":"2026-04-07T15:39:07Z","timestamp":1775576347757,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":51,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"18","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,17]],"date-time":"2024-09-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1726531200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal)","award":["UIDB\/05937\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/05937\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal)","award":["UIDP\/05937\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/05937\/2020"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Hoof trimming and shoeing determine the horse\u2019s hoof shape and balance. Hoof conformation plays a crucial role in limb biomechanics and can consequently prevent or predispose to injury. This study investigated the relationship between the morphometric characteristics of the horse\u2019s hoof, specifically, the dorsal hoof wall angle (DHWA), the coronet band circumference (CBC), and lameness in 73 horses categorised as undertaking either show jumping, dressage, or riding school activities. Results from logistic regression indicated that horses with either a combination of acute DHWA with large CBC, or more upright feet with larger DHWA and smaller CBC have higher probabilities of lameness. Show jumping and dressage horses showed a higher prevalence of lameness. Hoof morphometry should be monitored, and podiatric interventions should be regularly scheduled for the maintenance of correct hoof conformation to prevent injury. This study suggests that an aligned hoof\u2013pastern axis managed by a DHWA of around 50 degrees may prevent lameness, with special emphasis on horses in dressage and show jumping activities. On the other hand, we can also speculate that the disturbed axis alignment of DHWA may be a cause of lameness.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani14182697","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,18]],"date-time":"2024-09-18T00:51:43Z","timestamp":1726620703000},"page":"2697","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Investigating Associations between Horse Hoof Conformation and Presence of Lameness"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5687-7114","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fernando","family":"Mata","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Research in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-2461-3552","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"In\u00eas","family":"Franca","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Escola Superior Agr\u00e1ria, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1232-3160","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jos\u00e9","family":"Ara\u00fajo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Research in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"},{"name":"Escola Superior Agr\u00e1ria, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"},{"name":"Mountain Research Centre, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9753-8370","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gustavo","family":"Paix\u00e3o","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Research in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"},{"name":"Escola Superior Agr\u00e1ria, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"},{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, Universidade de Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8184-6766","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kirsty","family":"Lesniak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Equine Science Department, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0022-2749","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Joaquim Lima","family":"Cerqueira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Research in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"},{"name":"Escola Superior Agr\u00e1ria, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"},{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, Universidade de Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hobbs, S.J., Curtis, S., Martin, J., Sinclair, J., and Clayton, H.M. 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