Learn

The importance of healthy hooves and their impact on the overall wellbeing of the horse has been the subject of numerous scientific research studies that are widely and well understood among professionals in the equine industry.

The hoof is not a rigid structure, it is a highly flexible and adaptable structure. In barefoot movement the hoof undergoes a 3-dimensional self-reversing deformation. This is the “hoof mechanism” which functions best with a healthy hoof and in turn improves the hoof and horse health by:

1. stimulating blood circulation through the hoof and limb
2. ensuring good hoof horn quality and growth,
3. increasing shock absorption at impact
4. maintaining natural biomechanics of the lower limb.

The continuous interaction between these four factors and the hoof mechanism in turn creates a sustainable system for long term health of the horse.

Once you understand the importance of this system and how it works, it will become clear that, under certain circumstances, when protect of the hoof is needed, it needs to allow the natural hoof mechanism to function properly.

An overview of the most common musculosketal injuries/diseases including causes and the impact of Twin™ Shoes on these:

• Bone Related Pathologies (Oedema, Navicular, Fractures, …)
• Joint Related Pathologies (Osteoarthritis, Synovitis, …)
• Tendon and Ligament Related Pathologies (SDFT, DDFT, DSLD, …)
• Hood Capsule Related Pathologies (Underrun and Contracted Heels, Quarter Cracks, Flares …)
• Multi-structural Pathologies (Navicular syndrome/Caudal Heel pain)
• Repetitive Stress Injuries

A scientific research study, “Can the hoof be shod without limiting the heel movement? A comparative study between barefoot, shoeing with conventional shoes and a split-toe shoe” was done at the University of Ghent, Belgium.

Results of this research were published in The Veterinary Journal, Volume 246, April 2019 and a.o. presented at the at the International Hoof–Care Summit (Cincinnati, January 2020).

Abstract

Conventional shoeing restricts heel movement, which may have a negative effect on the orthopaedic health of the horse. A randomised crossover experimental study using noninvasive techniques was performed to compare the mediolateral heel movement in barefoot horses, horses shod with a conventional toe clipped shoe and with a new type of shoe with a split toe. In eight horses, 16 forelimbs were tested barefoot, shod with a conventional shoe and with the split-toe (ST) shoe, in random order. A displacement sensor was secured on the heels and measurements were collected continuously at a frequency of 679 Hz while horses were exercised on a treadmill at the walk (1.8 m/s), trot (3.5 m/s) and canter (8 m/s). Differences in heel movement between the conditions were analysed using a generalised estimating equations approach.

Findings

“The conventional (traditional) shoe was associated with significantly less heel expansion compared with the ST shoe and barefoot situation.”

“Heel expansion with the ST Shoe was not significantly different from the barefoot condition.”

“Conventional (traditional) shoeing significantly restricted heel expansion during the stance phase, whereas heel expansion with the ST shoe did not differ significantly from the barefoot situation. Since the heel movement plays an important role in the dissipation of the ground reaction force and the perfusion of the distal limb, it is speculated that the ST shoe may be beneficial for the maintenance of soundness and prevention of injury in sport horses.”

​© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 

FINDINGS: we found that Twin™ Shoes:

• allow for increased hoof growth.
• result in more balanced/symmetrical hooves.
• reduce and eliminate flares.
• improves frog health.
• improve the body size to hoof area ratio (by increasing coronet band circumference while shod & in training!).
• result in a more stable hoof capsule/coffin bone position between shoeing intervals.
• show balanced shoe wear indicating more balanced landing, loading and breakover patterns.
• have significantly improved front pastern joint osteoarthritis.

​CONCLUSION: Twin™ Shoes have a positive effect on the 5 factors contributing to Healthy Hooves and as such are Health Enhancing (Therapeutic and Preventive), setting up the horse for optimal performance.

An overview of the most frequently asked questions related to

• Features and Benefits of Twin™ Shoes
• Material & Application of Twin™ Shoes
• Effects of using Twin™ Shoes
• Disciplines
• Availability