Supplementary file 1_Changes in hoof morphology in racing Thoroughbreds during a period of ninety days unshod.pdf

Evidence-based research on correcting hoof adaptations is limited, which leads to a reliance on therapeutic shoeing.</p>Objectives<p>This study aimed to test the hypothesis that morphological changes occur during active unshod training and that trimming immediately affects hoof angles.</p>Study design<p>This is a controlled, quantitative, longitudinal study that uses a convenience sample.</p>Methods<p>A total of 36 racehorses were divided into an unshod treatment group (n = 23) and a control group (n = 13) that remained shod between hoof-care cycles.

Trimming followed a recognised standard. Photogrammetry was used to compare initial, endpoint, pre-, and post-trim lateral and solear images.</p>Results<p>Trimming improved the dorsal hoof wall angle (DHWA), heel angle (HA), and the DHWA-HA difference (p = 0.001) and altered solear morphometrics (p = 0.001, treatment; p = 0.003, control). Quantified longitudinal, pre-trim treatment data at the end of the 90-day study revealed that the DHWA remained stable (51.22 ± 3.28° to 51.31 ± 3.03°), while the HA increased (29.97 ± 8.81° to 34.62 ± 7.77°) (p = 0.005), and the DHWA-HA difference decreased (21.25 ± 6.90° to 16.69 ± 6.44°) (p = 0.001).