HoofSearch

02/19/2025

Here's a research article from Ireland's Thomas Dunbar. It will be featured in the February , but I thought I'd share it in advance. We often make assumptions about studs for grass vs artificial arena surfaces. Thomas took on the challenge. Thank you! (citation and link to full text in the comments to comply with Facebook)

🐴 New Publication 🐴

🥼 Authors: Thomas Dunbar & Soraya Morscher

📚 The Effect of Screw-In Studs on Equine Hoof and Limb Kinematics while Cantering and Jumping on an Artificial Surface

👀 Open Access - https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/144/92.

💥 Summary:

Studs are used to optimise hoof grip to prevent slip and enhance performance. Previous research has explored the effect of studs on a grass surface during canter, the influence of stud length on braking forces and the effect of restricted foot slip on bone strains. However, previous work has not addressed the influence of screw-in studs during canter and jumping on an artificial surface. This study demonstrates that canter kinematics were largely unaffected by stud use on an artificial surface; however, unexpectedly, some jumping parameters significantly improved. A significant reduction in the stance duration at jump landing is concerning as this may lead to higher braking forces in the distal limb, potentially resulting in an increased risk of overload injuries.

02/07/2025

Yes, that's Dr. Sherry Johnson from Colorado State University; she was speaking last week at the Veterinary Sport Horse Conference at Jumping Amsterdam. And, yes, the conference was sold out in advance! This video catches the international flavor of the longstanding event, which is held each year. Maybe you'll recognize some of the speakers; many of them are authors whose recent articles have been shared with subscribers to HoofSearch.

02/05/2025

Immersion of the distal limb in ice and water was most effective for cooling the digital lamellae under clinically relevant conditions.

Open access article: jav.ma/lamellae

01/20/2025

Coming soon, in the January HoofSearch, but you can read this article now, thanks to this preview from the University at Liverpool. Here are the vital details:

{OPEN ACCESS} Changes in pressure distribution of the solar surface after a single trimming event are associated with external hoof measurements in the equine fore foot.
Seery, S., Gardiner, J., Bates, K.T., Pinchbeck, G., Clegg, P., Ireland, J.L. and Milner, P.I., 2024.
Equine Veterinary Journal. Epub January 9, 2025.
doi: 10.1111/evj.14463.

Read it here: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/evj.14463

01/11/2025

A funding boost from Horse Racing Alberta is being celebrated at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - University of Calgary - UCVM where Professor Thilo Pfau researches relationships between racehorse injury and racing surfaces, using wearable sensors.

Read all about it on The Hoof Blog: https://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2025/01/canadian-boost-for-ucalgary-racehorse.html

He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, almost exclusively on quadruped locomotion, and most recently on identifying and understanding movement asymmetry. He's also interested in the interaction between hooves and racing surfaces.

01/01/2025

May I add "peaceful" to my wishes for you all. Watch for a special new feature and more news from HoofSearch in 2025! It's our 10th anniversary year!

I read somewhere that there is a tradition in eastern Europe of going for a walk with a horse (or horses) on New Year's Eve to insure the path to a better year ahead. Horses will always lead you home, eventually.

12/19/2024

The 2024 CEH Research Review is here!

The Center for Equine Health is proud to support clinical and basic science research that contributes to advances in equine veterinary medicine. Regardless of whether the conversation focuses on racehorses, show horses, or pleasure horses, research to improve equine health and welfare is more important than ever to the continued success of the equine industry.

From genetics to surgery, we are extremely proud to share the research efforts of our faculty and residents in the 2024 Research Review: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/research/research-review.

The research presented here is made possible by the generosity of our donors who continue to invest in CEH for the health and happiness of horses in California and beyond. Learn more about how you can support equine research: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/giving

12/13/2024

The new president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners is someone you might know. If not, meet Dr. Tracy Turner from Stillwater, Minnesota, who took office this week at the AAEP Convention in Florida. Read all about him on The Hoof Blog. Good luck, Dr. Turner!
https://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2024/12/dr-tracy-turner-is-new-president-of.html

12/12/2024

It's time to re-draw the world map of research: Along with Brisbane...Kennett Square...Columbus...Potters Bar...Liverpool...Lexington...Be sure to add Starkville. Let's hope the world's newest laminitis research center shows the world exactly where Starkville is. Congratulations, MSU!
https://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2024/12/mississippi-state-university-new-equine.html

12/06/2024

“After years of feeling deflated by the lack of progress, it's wonderful to see this significant breakthrough."

Researchers have identified the probable cause of equine grass sickness as a neurotoxin. The breakthrough has the potential to lead to novel treatments and improved diagnostics for this devastating disease.

Read on - https://bit.ly/4f5McNQ

12/02/2024

It's time for a new HoofSearch. Here are highlights; watch your email for the link to open the new issue. Everyone should have it by tomorrow (Tuesday).
(Please click the image to reveal the whole panel.)

Photos at top of graphic are from Open Access articles in this issue, including:
• how different/similar hoof slip on landing can be for British racehorses shod with eight different types of shoes;
• a fascinating exploration of polydactyly from China;
• a new study on hoof breakover duration from the UK;
• a synopsis of 58 peer-reviewed equine biomechanics studies on neck flexion;
• an interesting case study from Spain involving both melanoma and keratoma in the same foot;
• a comparative study of pain response when using a twitch; and
• a Swiss study on accuracy in drilling navicular bones.

Those are just a few of the 60+ articles, along with 13 new patents published that months for more horseshoes, boots, and other products, as well as medications.
Visit hoofsearch.com if you need to start or renew your subscription and we'll get it right out to you.

11/11/2024

Winner winner! The abstract presentation of groundbreaking research performed at UTCVM in Dr. Tena Ursini's equine biomechanics research lab won Best Large Animal Podium Presentation at the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Symposium in Cape Town, South Africa!

10/29/2024

Have we been doing saddle fitting all wrong all this time? New research summary for HoofSearch describes differences between how a saddle fits the standing horse vs the moving horse, and why saddle fit matters, above all, to the health, soundness, and longevity of the horse.

Just click the image to enlarge, read, or download the full capsule report if it does not display. You will find a direct link to the Open Access research article in the comments.

And PS: Are capsule reports like this useful to you?

10/25/2024

I promised...and this film delivers! "Horses and the Science of Harmony" is now LIVE, in full, on YouTube. So bolt the door, switch off your phone, and get ready.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ulkLHqHZ3g

What to expect: A film within a film. On one level, an inspiring biopic tracing British star Bubby Upton Eventing 's recovery from a bad fall to not only ride again, but compete successfully at Badminton Horse Trials.

On another level, it's a documentary-style splash through the waters of contemporary science and behavior, soundness, and physiology. Float through quick soundbites and longer fact-filled content from top riders and equine scientists, , and welfare advocates.

If you possibly can, plug your iPad or laptop into your television to see this on a large screen, with good sound. Allow a little over an hour to watch it from beginning to end.

Produced by British sport horse researcher Sue Dyson, masterfully filmed and edited by Padma Video, and fully enjoyed by everyone who's ever tried to put into words the feeling you get when you and your horse are in sync, in the moment, and moving together as one.

It's often the point where words fail, so this film hands the mic to science -- can it fill in the blanks?

10/24/2024

What do we know about insulin fluctuations before and after road transport? When should horses have their insulin levels tested--and when should they not? Horse owners should be aware of new research from the University of Kentucky, Waltham Equine Studies Group and SPILLERS horse feed (UK), whether they are transporting horses known to have or not. Research summary courtesy of HoofSearch research reports. Direct link to the full article in the Equine Veterinary Journal is in the comments; click the image to read, share, or download the full news capsule.

10/20/2024

Sneak preview for my horse-ish friends and equine professionals: I have a treat for you--and the timing is true serendipity! You're invited to sneak into YouTube and watch the trailer (link below) for the upcoming documentary "Horses and the Science of Harmony".

This film is for everyone who not only believes in "harmony" with horses, but who also recognizes that there is a place for science in the study of it. Dr Sue Dyson has gathered a cast of veterinarians, equine behavior researchers and horse welfare experts to weigh in, as well as some true icons of British eventing.

Find out what I'm talking about: https://equineassistedresearch.com/news/f/new-equine-interaction-film-horses-and-the-science-of-harmony

Transparency detail: I am a promotional partner for this film. And I'm excited!

Please invest two minutes and watch the trailer -- feel free to share it (thanks!)-- and then keep your ears up later this week for the link to the full video.

Why is this serendipitous? Because the film's featured rider, England's BBubby Upton Eventingis with us here in the USA this weekend, to compete at the MMARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill p/b Brown Advisory-- and she's in fourth place after cross-country, with show jumping coming up today (Sunday).

PS The full video of "Horses and the Science of Harmony" will be available for you to watch in full next week.

10/04/2024

Survival tech and energy expertise: HoofSearch subscriber and veterinarian Erica Lacher of Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic in Florida made the news this week when she shared how her EV Ford 150 truck and her EV KIA SUV came in handy when Hurricane Helene wiped out power to her vet hospital, just as it had earlier this year for Hurricane Debby. Yes, she was one of the lucky ones, compared to so many in the southeastern USA. Kudos to Dr Lacher for her preparedness and savvy attitude that made it more possible for her to help others. Either of her vehicle batteries is powerful enough to supply her clinic with electricity for four days. The electricity also saved lives of pets and horses in the hospital, she shared. This is one of the few good news stories I've seen.

A veterinarian's Ford F-150 Lightning and Kia EV9 helped her provide nearly uninterrupted critical care to her furry patients.

10/01/2024

Beyond the hoof: Racehorses may truly have a "gut feeling" about how they perform on the track. A new study from the UK followed Thoroughbreds over time to track the status of their gut's microbiome. Newmarket Equine Hospital shared a succinct summary.