Equine High Impact Injury Pt1

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Equine High Impact Injury

High impact injuries to equine feet and limbs are a common problem with many contributing factors, from obscure soft tissue damage, palmer foot pain to osteoarthritis. Andrew Poynton, FWCF, examines the forces through the digit during every day activities.

PROLONGED work on hard unyielding surfaces, rough ground, and even compacted sand surfaces, test the horse’s physique and stamina.

The faster the horse’s pace, the greater the impact; galloping, jumping and sharp changes in direction or speed obviously create the greatest impact with the momentary load borne by each foot amounting to anywhere between four to six times the weight of the horse.

The anatomy:

The feet are the first to receive all this force torque and shock and this, to a greater or lesser extent, is transmitted up the digit into the limb.

From the ground up, all the structures are designed to dissipate shock and utilize this energy for propulsion. Externally the healthy hoof is like a tough spring wrapped around the pedal bone (P3), its sole concave with the frog central and to the rear, the heels open and flexible to enable compression, expansion and three dimensional movement. Internally from the laminal suspension of P3 and its flexible cartilaginous wing extensions on either side, to the compressible mass of the digital cushion, all protect and provide a buffer to the bone column.

In addition, the arterial and venous volume of blood in the foot acts as a hydraulic damper. It is a far less rigid structure than most realize and not at all surprising that it works most efficiently without a rigid shoe nailed on to it. This, and the whole movement of the digit supported by the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament, cushion the descending force against ground impact.

Close up movement analysis:

The greater detail of this drama is not detected due to the speed at which it happens. However, high speed filming of the event played back in slow motion reveals the extreme extent of movement and finer points of what actually happens at the precise moment. This close up movement analysis can reveal subtle discrepancies in balance and conformational weaknesses. As the foot impacts the ground a visible shock wave rises from the

heels through the digit. Simultaneously the foot is compressed expanding to dissipate the sudden force upon it.

At the extreme point of loading, for example when jumping, galloping or even during certain high propulsion

dressage movements the fetlock will contact the ground. A fit horse with good conformation will repeatedly perform this exercise time after time without injury provided the surface worked on is suitable.

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The load borne by each foot can be up to six times the body weight of the horse.