Radiographic evaluation of hoof parameters related to laminitis in clinically normal Dareh-shori horse

Radiography is traditionally regarded as an important part of the subjective routine foot examination in equine lameness. Laminitis is a major disease in horses due to the associated pain and debilitating nature that make it a lifethreatening condition. This study was therefore conducted to estimate radiological factors which refer to anterior motor limb. Measurements were taken from 10 healthy Dareh-shori horses. After cleaning and washing the horses’ hooves, metal marker placement, the hooves were marked by the contrast, then hand-made block placed under the following limb, both front feet were radiographed with the limb in vertical position. The obtained measurements and values in this study were as: Founder Distance=5.7±2.01mm; Hoof wall thickness = 16.9±1.06mm, PCL = 59.9±5.8mm; HWT⁄PCL% = 28.4±3.6mm. Values for angles: Hoof axis = 49.9±2.8; P3 axis = 48.7±2.8; H angle = ̵ 1.58±2.29; P2 axis = 46.3±3.3; R angle = 1.7±3.6. Measurements of this study may be different from those reported in other breeds, so it can be used as reference values for diagnosis of laminitis and founder in front feet of Darehshori horses.