I. Caudron et al., In-shoe foot force sensor to assess hoof balance determined by radiographic method in ponies trotting on a treadmill, VET Q, 20(4), 1998, pp. 131-135
Adaptation of an in-foot shoe force sensor and the gait analysis system 'Fs
can' makes it possible to monitor the distribution of the vertical forces u
nder the equine foot in motion. The aim of this study is to investigate the
effects of two different trimmings on forces under the foot during the tro
t. The first one increased the height of the lateral hoof wall and the seco
nd one restored the mediolateral balance of the foot. These two trimmings w
ere examined by using a radiographical method that quantifies the interphal
angeal articular asymmetries due to asymmetrical bearing. The location of t
he centre of force of the weight-bearing foot and the distribution of the f
orces applied to the lateral and medial solar surfaces during a stride were
analyzed. After optimal trimming, the centre of force of the weight-bearin
g foot tended to approach the centre of the palmar figure, perpendicular to
the distal interphalangeal joint centre. The sum of the forces recorded un
der the lateral and medial parts respectively of the foot during one stride
tended to balance out after corrective trimming.