Anatomy of the hoof in sheep, a study to find proper hoof trimming indices

ABSTRACT

An anatomic study on ovine hoof to find a proper hoof trimming method was done. Fore and hind limbs of 15, two years old ewes. were studied all legs were transferred to vet college and divided by fore and hind limbs, left and right and lateral and medial digits. Toe height to ground and to the solar surface, heel height, sole length, toe length, toe length to the sensitive tissue, sole thickness in toe and heel region [cm] were measured. Toe angle was mathematically measured from toe height and toe length and toe to heel height was measured as well. All data were compared by t-test. Toe angle was significant in forelimbs [55. 09 +/- 8. 1] and hind limbs [50. 43 +/- 6. 9] and heel height was significantly different [3. 02 +/- 0. 33, 2. 36 +/- 0. 44] in the fore and hind limbs respectively. Although no statistical difference was recorded in the other results but some descriptive changes were recorded. Hoof grows to make an edge in the solar hoof wall that is slightly longer in hind limbs. Sole thickness in toe and heel regions of fore and hind limb was recorded as 0. 41 +/- 0. 12, 0. 82 +/- 0. 18 and 0. 37 +/- 0. 13, 0. 68 +/- 0. 17 respectively that was significantly higher in hind limbs. Hoof growth pattern in sheep is different from cow. Toe angle in fore and hind limb is slightly higher than cows. Lateral wall growth in solar region makes weight bearing surface of the hoof different from cows. 1. 2 of horny tissue of the hoof protects from sensitive underlying tissue that can make a satisfactory hoof trimming