Evaluation of shock attenuation in the forelimb of horses wearing boots and wraps

High frequency, high amplitude shock waves, believed to contribute to detrimental joint and bone changes, are generated each time the hoof strikes the ground. The purpose of the present study was to compare the shock attenuating capability of athletic support boots and traditional cotton wraps (polo wraps). Accelerometers were attached to the hoof and third metacarpus of five horses. Peak deceleration and asymptotic frequencies were measured at two speeds (3.5 mls, trot, and 6. 0 mls, gallop) under the following conditions: control (no boots or wraps), cotton wraps, and two athletic support boots. Leg supports did not reduce shock in the third metacarpus. In fact, support boots increased the asymptotic frequency measured in the third metacarpus. This result could be explained if the leg supports were acting to stiffen the limb, thereby increasing the spring constant of the leg support-limb system.