Hoof Conformation and Palmar Process Fractures of the Distal Phalanx in Warmblood Foals

Bhatnagar, Adrienne S.; Pleasant, R. Scott; Dascanio, John J.; Lewis, Stephanie R.; Grey, A.; Schroeder, Olivia E.; Doyle, Kristine; Hall, Jake; Splan, Rebecca K.

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2010.05.004

« Previous Next »Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Volume 30, Issue 7 , Pages 349-355, July 2010

Hoof Conformation and Palmar Process Fractures of the Distal Phalanx in Warmblood Foals

Adrienne S. Bhatnagar, BS
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
- Reprint requests: Adrienne S. Bhatnagar, BS, 214 Litton Reaves Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
R. Scott Pleasant, DVM, MS, DACVS
- Department of Large Animal Clinic Sciences, Phase II Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
John J. Dascanio, VMD, DABVP, DACT
- Department of Large Animal Clinic Sciences, Phase II Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Stephanie R. Lewis, BVSc
- Department of Large Animal Clinic Sciences, Phase II Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
A. Grey, DVM
- Department of Large Animal Clinic Sciences, Phase II Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Olivia E. Schroeder, VMD
- Department of Large Animal Clinic Sciences, Phase II Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Kristine Doyle, MS
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Jake Hall, BS
- Department of Large Animal Clinic Sciences, Phase II Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Rebecca K. Splan, MS, PhD
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Abstract

This study evaluated onset and incidence of palmar process fractures in foals and investigated corresponding changes in hoof conformation. Radiographs of 17 warmblood foals were taken at 1 week and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 months of age and examined for evidence of palmar process fractures. Hoof parameters were measured from the radiographs, and comparisons were made between fractured and nonfractured feet. All foals suffered at least one fracture during the study period, with an average age of 3.68 ± 0.20 months at fracture occurrence. Hoof conformation and fracture occurrence were not significantly correlated. Foals consistently demonstrated higher lateral heights in the right foot and higher medial heights in the left foot. Hoof angle increased until 3 months of age and then gradually dropped. Hoof-pastern axis exhibited a broken forward conformation, but approached a more correct conformation by 12 months of age. There was a significant reduction in variation of variables for hoof and pastern angle in both feet, and hoof-pastern axis in the right foot. Hoof conformation does not appear to be a causative factor of palmar process fractures. It is possible that these fractures are a normal part of bone remodeling.

Keywords: Horse, Distal phalanx, Coffin bone, Ossicles, Bone remodeling