BACKGROUND: Intervention by hoof care professionals is critical for a functioning equine hoof. Pressure distribution provides information on loading, however information on the effects of such interventions on pressure distribution is lacking OBJECTIVES: To describe the pressure changes of equine fore feet following trimming. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study METHODS: 50 sound horses were recruited through convenience sampling. 18 external hoof measures of the dorsal, lateral, medial and solar aspects were obtained before and after trimming from 94 fore feet. Horses were walked over a pressure mat before and after trimming and pressure maps of the solar surface created. Percentage change in hoof measures were assessed. Factors associated with an increase in pressure in the frog region after trimming were entered into a forward likelihood ratio logistic regression model. Odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and area under the curve receiver operator characteristics (AUROC) were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated at a cut-off value of P=0.5. RESULTS: Trimming resulted in a significant increase in pressure, topographically mapped to the frog region, in 12/94 feet. Percentage difference in bearing border length (OR 0.66 95% CI 0.51; 0.86), heel buttress to centre of pressure distance (OR 1.30 95% CI 1.10; 1.53), heel angle (from the lateral side) (OR 1.11 95% CI 1.04; 1.19) and heel length (from the medial side) (OR 0.92 95% CI 0.85; 0.99) were retained in the final model associated with increased pressure in the frog region following trimming. AUROC was excellent (0.94 95% CI 0.88; 0.99) with fair sensitivity (58%) and excellent specificity (98%) at P=0.5. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Subjective lameness exam only. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring pressure changes over the solar surface of the equine fore foot after trimming identified that an increased pressure in the frog region was linked to specific changes in hoof shape.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a frequent complication following emergency equine laparotomy. It negatively impacts equine welfare, increases treatment costs and is a hospital biosecurity risk justifying investigations of ways to reduce SSI incidence. Objectives: To determine if a sutured-on stent dressing for anaesthetic recovery reduces SSI in horses following emergency laparotomy. Study design: Randomised controlled trial. Methods: Eligible horses undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy were enrolled. Horses were randomised to have a sutured-on stent dressing (intervention) or standard adhesive textile dressing (control) placed for incisional protection during anaesthetic recovery. Horses were followed up to 90 days postoperatively. Data were analysed according to intention-to-treat principles. Time to SSI (primary outcome) for each group was analysed using a Cox proportional hazard model. Secondary outcomes (SSI during hospitalisation, pyrexia during hospitalisation, days hospitalisation and incisional hernia formation at 90 days) were analysed using Chi-squared tests and a univariable logistic regression model (categorical data) or by comparing means between groups (continuous data). Results: The study included 352 horses (167 intervention group, 185 control group). SSI developed in 101 horses (28.7%) at a mean of 9.7 days (SD 4.6 days). Rate of SSI was not significantly different between intervention and control groups unadjusted (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.56 - 1.23, P=0.36) or adjusted for variables significantly associated with rate of SSI (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.59 – 1.30, P=0.51). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes between intervention and control groups. Main limitations: This study was performed at a single centre and only evaluated incisional protection for anaesthetic recovery. Conclusions: Use of a sutured-on stent dressing for anaesthetic recovery did not reduce the rate of SSI compared to a textile adhesive dressing. Further RCT are required to investigate efficacy of other interventions on reduction of SSI following emergency laparotomy