title: An investigation of the relationships between angles and shapes of the hoof capsule and the distal phalanx.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is little scientific evidence to support the premise that poor foot conformation predisposes to foot pain and lameness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine relationships between external characteristics of the hoof capsule and angles of the distal phalanx; to determine variability in shape of the distal phalanx; and to investigate association between distal phalanx angles and the injury causing lameness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Feet were documented photographically and radiographically. Linear and angle measurements were obtained for the hoof capsule and distal phalanx and compared statistically. Horses were categorised according to injury group, and angles and linear ratios were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was modest correlation between hoof wall and heel angles and angles of the distal phalanx. There was variation in shape of the distal phalanx. There was no significant association between injury type and angles of the distal phalanx, although there was a trend for the angle of the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx with the horizontal to be smaller in horses with injuries of the podotrochlear apparatus or deep digital flexor tendon compared with other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are variations in shape of the distal phalanx largely due to differences in orientation of the concave solar border and the solar border to the horizontal. Variations in shape of the distal phalanx were not accurately correlated with external characteristics of the hoof capsule. There were weak associations between injury groups and angles of the distal phalanx.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further work is required to elucidate risk factors for foot-related lameness.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. sue.dyson@aht.org.uk
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tranquille
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: T D H
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography