The relationship between sagittal hoof conformation and hindlimb lameness in the horse

BACKGROUND: Lameness can be multifactorial and may result from the accumulation of multiple seemingly unrelated causes. The identification of factors associated with lameness could be one method to decrease incidence of lameness and prolong the equine athlete's competitive life. OBJECTIVES: To determine if there is an association between hoof balance in the sagittal plane and hindlimb lameness. STUDY DESIGN: Case‐control study. METHODS: Eighty client‐owned horses with hindlimb lameness (cases) and 80 horses with no detectable hindlimb lameness (controls) were prospectively enroled following lameness evaluation as either cases (lameness localised with regional anaesthesia) or controls (no hindlimb lameness). Lameness cases were divided based on location (stifle, tarsus, proximal metatarsus and other sites). Lateromedial radiographs were performed on hind hooves and plantar angle of the distal phalanx (PADP) was determined. The prevalence of negative/neutral PADP and median PADPs were calculated. Conditional logistic regression and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to analyse PADPs, and odds ratios were calculated. Significance was set at P