Understanding mismatched feet in the equine athlete: An overview

Summary

The horse's foot is a highly dynamic and adaptive structure, continually responding to internal and external forces that influence its conformation and function. When hoof balance is compromised, uneven loading across the foot can lead to distortion of the hoof capsule. Among sport horses, mismatched front feet are frequently observed. Despite their prevalence, the origin, clinical significance and optimal management of this asymmetry remain subjects of ongoing investigation. Besides genetics, alterations in the dorsal hoof wall profile, postural and weight‐bearing patterns during standing have been linked to the development of mismatched feet as well as to adaptive responses associated with pain. Mismatched forefeet have been shown to negatively affect the duration of competitive performance in Warmblood horses. Biomechanically, the limb with the flatter hoof conformation exhibits greater maximal horizontal braking and vertical ground reaction forces, increased vertical fetlock displacement and a more compliant fetlock. Conversely, the limb with the steeper hoof angle demonstrates an earlier transition from the braking to the propulsive phase of the stride. The degree of asymmetry can range from a mildly upright hoof with a straight digital alignment and a straight hoof–pastern axis (HPA) to a club foot associated with a broken forward HPA and hyperflexion of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) with possible compensatory overloading of the contralateral foot.