A recent survey from the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service showed that horse owners from all segments of the horse industry in that state consider problems in horses’ hooves and legs to be their top priority for future equine research.
Leg or hoof problems were rated #1 by all types of operations, and breaks down to the following percentages:
• 57 percent of trail and recreational horse operations
• 59 percent of show operations
• 63 percent of racing operations
• 65 percent of working farm operations.
Injuries from wounds or trauma, neurological disorders, and obesity were other conditions related to legs and hooves that concerned owners to some extent. Colic, respiratory disease, and infectious diseases were second or third priorities in most industry segments.
However, no other health concern rated higher than hoof and lameness problems in any of the horse ownership segments.
(Information courtesy of the Indiana Horse Council)