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  • Title: Postmortem evaluation of homotypic variation in shoe characteristics of 201 thoroughbred racehorses.
    Author: Kane AJ, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Case JT, Johnson BJ, O'Brien MJ, Read DH, Ardans AA.
    Journal: Am J Vet Res; 1996 Aug; 57(8):1141-6. PubMed ID: 8836364.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To develop a standard technique for evaluation of racehorse shoes, to assess homotypic variation (interlimb variation) in shoe characteristics, and to determine whether shoe characteristics varied with age and sex. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 201) that died or were euthanatized at California racetracks between August 1992 and July 1994. PROCEDURE: Shoe characteristics were measured on horses examined after death. Percentage of agreement was used to compare shoe characteristics between limbs (homotypic variation). Using chi 2 analysis, shoe characteristics were compared between horses grouped by age and sex. RESULTS: Toe grabs were present on 90.5% of horses, and rim shoes were present on 15.9% of horses. Heel traction devices were less frequent on front (2.5%) than rear (6%) hooves. Pads were present on 24.9% of horses, with bonded rim pads most common. Special types of shoes were present cn 5% of horses. Percentage of agreement between left and right front hooves and between left and right rear hooves was high (20/25 variables; % agreement > or = 99). In contrast, percentage of agreement between left front and left rear hooves and between right front and right rear hooves was low (2/25 variables; % agreement > or = 99). Presence of a pad was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with age, and several shoe variable (size, presence of a special shoe, overall wear matched) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with sex. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Except for variables related to special shoes, wear, and weight, 1 shoe for the respective fore- or hind limbs could be used as an indicator for the contralateral shoe worn by Thoroughbred racehorses without substantial loss of information. However, 1 shoe could not be used as an indicator for shoe characteristics of all 4 limbs. Some shoe characteristics are associated with age and sex, and these variables should be considered possible confounders in studies of shoe characteristics.
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