Research led by the University of Nottingham in the U.K. sheds new light on an ancient and crippling hoof disease in horses: laminitis.

The study by experts in mathematics, physics, stem cell biology and equine medicine reveals new clues about the causes and potential treatment of specific hoof diseases, including the so-called "Aladdin's slipper" conformation of the hoof and the potential onset of laminitis — a common and serious hoof condition linked to more than 7% of equine deaths worldwide, the university said in an announcement.

The research reveals new evidence on the mechano-biology of the hoof and related pathologies and challenges traditional perceptions that horse weight is necessarily a significant risk factor.

The study, published in Royal Society Interface, could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of hoof disease in the future, the university said.

Hoof pathologies are an ancient problem in horses, mules and donkeys (equids), and with 110 million working equids helping 600 million people in developing countries, understanding the pathologies of the hoof is crucial for better prevention and management of the condition, Nottingham said.

The research team carried out analyses of the hooves of horses using cutting-edge 3D "Synchrotron" imaging techniques, histological sampling and stem cell biology, as well as a field study of 129 horses to provide the most detailed picture of the structure, biology and physical dynamics of the hoof ever produced, the university said.

The results show where the stress in hoof growth originates; why the hoof growth rate is higher than the proliferation rate of epithelial cells; how the soft-to-hard transformation of the epithelium allows the hoof to continually bear weight and how hoof misshaping over time is linked to the asymmetrical design of the equids’ feet, coupled with an inability of the biological growth stress to compensate for this asymmetry that is central to promote hoof pathology, the researchers said.

Dr. Cyril Rauch, associate professor in physical and mathematical veterinary medicine and science at Nottingham, who led the research, said, “Our study could have huge implications for the prevention and management of chronic hoof pathologies and deformities in the future in developing countries but also in economically advanced countries where horses are considered as pets. This work also provides a strong base to develop theoretical models for farriery work; strong scientific evidence is really what is needed in this field. Last, but not least, our study opens a new widow to understand the connection between chronic and acute hoof pathologies."

With regard to acute hoof pathology such as laminitis, research collaborator professor Patricia Harris, head of the equine studies group at WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, said, “While we know that obesity may increase the risk of laminitis, we also know that laminitis can affect lean animals, usually those with insulin dysregulation. Genetics obviously has a role to play, but the conundrum remains that some horses with one or more predispositions do not get laminitis, while others do, and this is why the study is so interesting: It provides an alternative angle to consider rather than insulin per se or obesity per se.”

Dr. Nicola Menzies-Gow with the U.K.'s Royal Veterinary College, added, “This collaborative research has combined the expertise of scientists from a wide range of disciplines to focus on a novel angle with respect to a very challenging disease. The findings provide the basis for further research with respect to laminitis and other chronic hoof pathologies. We are excited to see where this may lead.”

Rauch concluded that the research shows a number of things that the study team wants to advance. "The first one is that there is a need to further develop the interaction between scientific and medical fields, whatever their origins, to allow the ‘Physics of Animal Health’ to be fully established," he said. "Secondly, equids are considered as pets in economically developed countries, but in developing countries, they are very often the only source of income for their owners. This is why we are currently working with (the charities) SPANA and BROOKES ... to promote the health and welfare of working equids.”