Metals as Antimicrobials
Microbiologists at Radford University teamed up with a professor of farriery at Virginia Tech to investigate the efficacy of copper, zinc and silver powders or compounds as antimicrobial agents against bacteria (E. coli) in a laboratory model for the type of pathogens commonly causing hoof infections in horses, such as Treponema sp. (canker) and Fusobacterium necrophorum (abscesses, white line disease or thrush).
Samples of the bacteria were incubated under silicone padding, either made from impression material with the metals mixed into the silicone or with a thin layer of the metals placed under padding made with plain impression material. The survival of the bacteria under the pads was measured in each case.
The bacteria survived and grew under the pads when powdered metals or small metal crystals were mixed into the impression material. However, there was no growth under pads made with large crystals of copper sulphate or silver nitrate mixed into the silicone or a layer of small crystals of copper sulphate, silver nitrate or zinc sulphate on the bottom surface of the pads. The researchers concluded that to be effective as antimicrobials, the metals had to be free to dissolve away from the silicone padding or be in direct contact with the nutrient surface supporting the bacteria. Fortunately, it seemed as if only small amounts of the metals were needed, and the authors believe this may be a helpful approach to fighting hoof infections.
— Caughron JE et al. EVE 2026 DOI:10.1111/eve.14201
Carpal Bone Injuries Don’t Limit Performance in Show Jumpers
Researchers in France reviewed the medical records of 5,515 show jumpers (mostly Selle Français horses) presented for the evaluation of lameness at the Center of Imaging and Research on Equine Locomotor Injuries. Forty-four horses had forelimb lameness related to the carpus. Excluding those with conformational abnormalities, a history of trauma to the forelimb or evidence of injury to palmar structures of the carpal area, 15 horses remained in the study with lameness attributed to stress-related bone injuries to the carpus.
Most (67%) were reportedly lame for more than 6 months, about half had mild to moderate thickening on the dorsal aspect of the joint, indicating effusion, and most lameness was mild with a shortened cranial phase of the stride. The severity of the lameness usually (67%) increased with the affected limb on the outside of a circle, while lunging and flexion tests exacerbated the lameness in 73%.
Few treatment details were included, but intra-articular corticosteroid therapy was recommended for most, and some also received platelet-rich plasma and/or tiludronate. The authors reported that after 1 year, 80% returned to competition, with 67% maintaining their previous level of competition.
— Micheau L et al. JAVMA 2026 DOI:10.2460/javma.25.07.0443
Dorsopalmar Hoof Balance in Brazilian Thoroughbred Racehorses
Researchers in Brazil examined the dorsopalmar hoof conformation of 59 Thoroughbred racehorses that were 3-4 years old. They were in active training and had no signs or recent history of lameness or disease. Their objective was to evaluate visual observations and measurements of dorsopalmar hoof balance obtained from lateromedial photographs and X-rays with a focus on the hoof-pastern axis.
Three different techniques were used to assess the hoof-
pastern axis from each X-ray, and two experienced veterinarians reviewed each photograph for a subjective assessment of the hoof-pastern axis.
The dorsal hoof wall angles measured on the photographs averaged 50.26 ± 2.62 degrees while those measured on the X-rays averaged 48.76 ± 2.32 degrees. All three radiographic measurements identified a broken-back hoof-pastern axis (defined by the researchers as more than a 10% divergence from a straight line) in 100% of the horses, with many of these (20-40%) described as severe.
The subjective visual assessments of the photographs identified a broken back axis in only half as many (55% of horses). Radiographic measurements also identified high prevalences of low heels (85% of hooves), underrun heels (97% of horses), low palmar angles (87% of hooves) and negative palmar angles (56% of horses). The authors expressed alarm and concern that the proportion of horses with dorsopalmar hoof imbalance was so high and suggested that improved trimming and shoeing practices are needed to prevent injuries and protect horse welfare and the sustainability of the sport.
— Correa MG et al. JEVS 2026 DOI:10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105941
MRI Useful for Detecting Coffin Joint Degeneration
A collaboration of European and American veterinary specialists in diagnostic imaging and surgery used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the coffin joint to detect degenerative joint disease and assess narrowing of the joint space in relation to cartilage thinning, clinical signs and prognosis.
A retrospective design used medical records to identify horses that received MRI examinations of the coffin joint as part of a lameness evaluation and compared joints with narrowing of the joint space and cartilage thinning (affected group) to unaffected contralateral joints and 11 control horses that did not show signs of joint narrowing.
Most of the horses were warmbloods with a broad range of ages (4-16 years). Affected horses were most likely to be used for dressage, while the control group had a higher percentage of show jumpers included. Most (85%) of the affected group blocked to a simple palmar digital nerve block.
The MRI proved useful for detecting joint space narrowing and cartilage loss (thinning) of the coffin joint. A joint space measurement of <3mm at the dorsomedial aspect of the joint was associated with cartilage thinning. In many cases, this occurred with only mild or moderate amounts of joint effusion and osteophyte formation. None of the control horses showed these changes. Unfortunately, affected horses had a poor prognosis for recovery, with only three of 25 (12%) returning to athletic performance.
— Van Veggel ECS et al. JAVMA 2026 DOI:10.2460/javma.25.06.0368
