"Distal Limb Development and Effects of Shoeing Techniques on Limb Dynamics of Today's Equine Athlete" has been published in The Netherlands! Dutch researcher Meike van Heel PhD has assembled her papers and dissertation on hoof balance into the pages of a lovely book. It is 174 pages, with color photos and art (though not enough of either).
Here's the blurb from our sale flyer on this book:
A landmark study of hoof balance and growth uses traditional and high-tech research modalities to bring new information to equine hoof science. Pressure mats, force plates, video gait analysis, radiography and keen observation of equine posture and behavior yield a document rich in the use of science to back up common sense. Studies examine the prevalence of uneven feet (so-called “high-low syndrome”). Documents how a horse compensates for hoof growth to maintain balance and how a rolled toe shoe aids in efficient movement and joint mechanics.
Chapters:
- Lateral grazing behavior induced by foal conformation
- Potential consequences of uneven feet in foals
- Effect of trimming on dynamic pressure measurements of hoof balance
- Changing center of pressure and hoof-unrollment over 8-wk shoeing interval
- Hoof growth effects on P3 vs P2 joints
- Compensation for changes in growth between shoeing sessions
- Rolled toe effects on breakover in sound warmblood horses
- Discussion and Summary
Meike was a featured speaker at the International Conference on Equine Locomotion, hosted by Dr Hilary Clayton at Michigan State University in 2004. Her research was featured in an article on gait analysis and videotaping of horse movement in Hoofcare & Lameness #78.
Note: Meike's book is no longer available for sale. If a new edition is printed, it will be announced on The Hoof Blog.
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