The Unicorn integrated horseshoe - results from field applications of a glued synthetic horseshoe

In the following study, a new synthetic horseshoe, developed by the Unicorn integrated horseshoe company, is examined. The shoe consists of a flexible support frame embedded in a methyl-metacylate compound that is being utili sed commercially as synthetic horn and enables state-of-the-art methods of fixing hoof protection for horses. The effects of this new technique on specific parameters, in this case hoof wall angle, hoof length, hoof width and heel height, were studied over a f ield range of 100 hooves. Further study was undertaken as to the impact of this synthetic horseshoe on hoof form, horn quality, the white line and the frog as well as specific hoof anomalies in a total field range of 62 hoove s. The durability and wear characteristics of this new technology were note d and evaluated. Measurements taken of singular hoof parameters resulted in the data being categorised as statistically increased, statistically decre ased and statistically constant values. From this analysis it can be demons trated that 60% of toe angles and hoof heel heights showed, on average, bet ween 78 to 120 shoe carried days a significant improvement in regeneration of the affected areas. The evaluation of specific anomalies during the stud y result in 70.9% of the affected hooves showing a visible improvement. Wit h respect to the number of days in which the synthetic horn shoe is worn, i t can be shown that visible improvements are detected for flat hooves after 103 days, for heel pressured hooves after 56 days, for fissured hornwall h ooves after 126 days, for hooves with chronic laminitis after 78 days, for hooves with pododermatitis after 45 days and finally for club feet after 16 3 days. On average, the quality of the hoof horn improved within 59 days an d the condition of the white line after 40 days. A comparision between the Unicorn integrated horseshoe and the common iron horseshoe with respect to durability demonstrates an at least equivalent pe rformance in this regard but without the known disadvantages of the common iron horseshoe.