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The hoof renewal time of Thoroughbred foals from birth

Authors

  • S. Curtis
  • J. Martin
  • S.J. Hobbs

This study was designed to investigate the length of time it takes for a Thoroughbred foal to renew its entire hoof from the day it was born.

Rationale

A circumferential ring in the hoof horn of foals occurs at birth and grows down to the distal border as the fetal hoof is replaced. Horn growth and complete hoof capsule renewal have not been measured in Thoroughbred foals but the determination of time of hoof renewal may allow accurate predictions of healing time to be made in cases of hoof lesions.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to measure the time taken for the fetal hoof of newborn foals to grow to the distal border and be replaced by hoof grown since birth.

Methods

The age of the foal in days on the day that routine hoof trimming removed the hoof ring of the front hooves was recorded.

Results

The mean age at which the fetal hoof was removed was 145 ± 15 days (95% CI, 141.8-147.2), range 120-165 days.

Conclusion

Thoroughbred foals replaced the fetal hoof in approximately half the time taken for mature horses (270-365 days).