Hoof Boots to Detect Lameness

An experimental study by German researchers evaluated the utility of instrumented hoof boots (IHB) for the detection of naturally occurring lameness before and after diagnostic anesthesia was successfully used to localize the lameness in a clinical setting.

Twenty-six horses, mostly warmbloods and all over 3 years of age with a Grade 1-2 (scale 0-5) lameness in a front or hind limb that improved after regional nerve or intra-articular blocks were included in the study.

The horses were fitted with four sneaker-type hoof boots that included pressure sensors embedded in the sole along with body-mounted inertial sensors (BMIS) and readings were obtained before and after diagnostic anesthesia was performed. Horses were examined trotting in-hand, in a straight line and on hard ground.

Before diagnostic anesthesia, peak vertical pressure and impulse were different between lame and contralateral limbs. Following the diagnostic blocks, loading was more symmetrical and there were no differences in these parameters between lame and contralateral limbs.

The authors concluded that IHB was useful in identifying when the lameness was present and when diagnostic anesthesia effectively blocked the lameness. This would help veterinarians localize lameness with objective data during clinical lameness exams.

— Keller J et al. The Vet J 2026. DOI:10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106614

Vibration for Back Pain

Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a small experimental trial of whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy with eight horses diagnosed with thoracolumbar pain and pathology.

The clinical problems WBV involves standing the patient on two…