Use of a Radiograph to
Assist with Therapeutic
Shoeing and Trimming
Debra R. Taylor, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Associate Professor
Department of Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Auburn University
Equine Podiatry

The specialty dealing with the equine hoof





the hoof capsule
coronary band
all anatomical structures with in the hoof
capsule
all tendons that affect the hoof
Requires the veterinarian and trimmer or
farrier to work together
What does the horse need?


A veterinarian and a trimmer or farrier
team who are willing to work together
A team that enjoys podiatry and is
committed to doing their best work
What does a farrier or trimmer
need from the veterinarian?

A veterinarian




who understands what is healthy and what is not
who understands diseases affecting the hoof
who can consistently take an informative radiograph
of the foot
who is willing to work as part of a team

Take the time to show him the radiographs


Pre- and post- trimming or shoeing
Learn to speak the same language

Many overlapping terms
Why do you need a radiograph to monitor shoeing
or trimming a horse?
“Quality radiographs are to podiatry
what ultrasound is to reproduction”
Ability to make a positive change
Learning curve
Without ultrasound or radiographs
Time
With ultrasound or radiographs
Time
Traditional Radiography
of the digit
Goals
• To evaluate the
proximal and distal
interphalangeal
joints, integrity of
bony structures,
and to view
radiographic
degenerative
changes in the foot.
Traditional Radiography






Beam focused at
coronary band
Foot packed
Ground surface not
always demarcated
Dorsal hoof wall marked
with rigid object
Apex of frog and heels
not marked
Hoof not always directly
against cassette
Is this what we are after?
Lacks information for the farrier
trimmer!
Radiographic GOALS

Consistent informative films

Take the same view every time






Ability to monitor small changes with accuracy
Evaluate the soft tissues of hoof
Evaluate P3’s relationship to capsule and ground
Evaluate how the bone and the soft tissues relate to each other
How the bone and soft tissue relate to the ground
Learn common parameters of breeds


What is common is not necessarily healthy
Horses have only rarely been bred for hoof quality

Popular breeds are notorious for poor hoof health
Radiography for Shoeing and
Trimming

Center on bottom of P3, not coronary band




Clearly demarcate (with barium paste)







Dorsal hoof wall – care to start paste exactly on hairline
Lateral heel bulb – care to start paste exactly on hairline
Apex of frog
Clearly demarcate ground surface – lead in wooden block
Hoof touching cassette
Heel bulbs parallel to primary beam and perpendicular to cassette
Do not pack the foot


measure sole depth
Palmar/plantar angle
medial to lateral balance of P3
Measure sole depth
Standardize distance from film to machine
Methods

Center on bottom
of P3

Blocks match machine




metal wire in top
Barium paste on
dorsal hoof wall
Barium on apex of frog
Barium on heel
Much better







Centered bottom of P3
Dorsal hoof wall marked
Ground Surface Marked
Not packed
Heel marked
Apex marked
Note: -ok that bone is
too light, not as worried
about boney detail here
as relationship of the
bone to the soft tissues
and ground
NOTE: Trimmers and farriers appreciate viewing the hoof in the direction it
would be if they were looking at the horse, RF point toe to right, LF point toe to left
Equine Podiatry Radiology
Primary beam is 1 cm off top of blocks
Build blocks to match your machine so can
Set the machine on the ground and horse
Will be in correct positions
NOTE: need two blocks
So horse is standing level
Breakover
Breakover
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
Breakover
- The horizontal distance from
the tip P3 to where the hoof
“breaks over” or pivots.
- 0 – 3.5 cm is ideal, depending on
the horse
- optimizing breakover
-decreases sheer force on P3 and hoof wall
-decreases tendon and muscle strain
Palmar/plantar Angle
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
Palmar Angle
-The angle that is formed from
the palmar/plantar surface of P3
and the ground.
- 2- 10° degrees normal (Adams)
Sole Depth
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
Sole Depth
- Soft tissue opacity just distal
to the plantar surface of P3
- The sole should be greater than
10mm in depth.
Horn: Laminar Zone
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
Horn: Laminar Zone
- Distance from the dorsal
hoofwall to the dorsal surface of
P3.
- Measured at both the dorsal
proximal and dorsal distal ends of
the foot.
-Should be uniform and < 20 mm
CE Zone
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
CE Zone
- The CE Zone is the vertical
distance between the Coronary
Band and the Extensor Process.
-Ideally < 1cm.
-Need great care in marking the
hairline, because plan to monitor
change in this number
Cup
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
Cup
-The radiolucent area distal to the
sole
-Measure to the ground surface
-Some horses have none
Bone Angle
Podiatry Radiology Measurements
Bone Angle
- Angle formed at the junction of
the dorsal and palmar/plantar
surface of P3
Parameters on a lateral view
Evaluation of Lateral View

Horn: Laminar Zone


CE zone - <1 cm



coronary band - extensor process
“halo effect”- coronary band invagination
Sole depth


Should be uniform ( < 20 mm)
mass (> 10 mm)
Cup

Black area between sole and ground surface
Evaluation Lateral View

Palmar Angle



Digital Breakover




Angle formed between palmar surface of P3 and
ground
The horse wants it positive 3-9 º
distance from the tip of P3 to where hoof breaks
forward
The horse wants it short, maybe even negative?
The horse wants it optimized.
Bone Angle

angle formed between dorsal and palmar surfaces of
P3
Horse in a Cast with digital
radiography
Anterior – Posterior projection




Looking for medial lateral balance of P3
Uniformity of joint spaces
Is the medial and lateral coronary band
level
Evaluate growth rings if use barium
Anterior posterior view
Moral





TAKE the radiograph the correct way
Evaluate the parameters
Use the film to make goals
Evaluate whether goals were met
Work together!!!!