Study Confirms Kicks From Shod Horses Can Damage Bone

Metal shoes have a greater risk of damaging bone during a kick than polyurethane shoes or barefoot feet.
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Logic tells us that a kick from a shod horse is going to hurt a lot more than one from a barefoot animal. That’s why some farm managers insist on horses going barefoot on the hindlimbs if they’re pastured with other horses. But there’s never been any science to confirm this logic—until now.

A recent study by Swiss researchers has confirmed that a kick from a horse with metal shoes comes with a much greater risk of fracture to another horse’s long bones than a horse with plastic shoes. And that risk is significantly minimized if the horse has no shoes at all.

“Kicks by shod horses are clearly more dangerous than kicks by barefoot horses, so the concept of keeping horses barefoot on the hindlimbs in group pasture settings seems justified,” said Michelle Jackson, PhD, of the University of Zurich Vetsuisse Faculty Equine Surgery Clinic.

Proper herd management using behavioral clues and recommendations by behavior specialists can also help reduce injury risk in group pasture settings, regardless of shoeing status, she added

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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