Reasons for performing study: Despite growing interest in application natural models of hoof-maintenance in domestic horses, little data is available to describe natural conformation and proposed mechanisms of self-maintenance.
Objectives: Quantitatively describe hoof growth and wear during a period of 'self-trimming' within a herd of semi-feral ponies.
Methods: Hoof length, growth and wear were measured for a sample of 40 animals during a period of 'self-trimming' from June through September, 2005.
Results: For front hooves, mean toe lengths in July, August and September were significantly less than in June. For the hind, mean toe length in August was significantly less than in June, July and September. Increased rate of wear, as opposed to decreased growth rate, was the major contributor to overall shorter hoof lengths. Cumulative wear expressed as a percentage of the June baseline toe length ranged from 21-57% (mean 38%) for the front and 12-46% (mean 32%) for the hind.
Conclusions: Significant cracking, tearing and increased wear, known as 'self-trimming' is a measurable herd-wise phenomenon in horses maintained under natural social and environmental conditions.
Potential relevance: Although just one example herd, these data provide quantitative support of anecdotal reports of 'self-trimming' as a mechanism contributing to natural self-maintenance of the equine hoof.