Physics of animal health: on the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form

Author:

Al-Agele Ramzi12ORCID,Paul Emily1,Taylor Sophie1,Watson Charlotte1,Sturrock Craig3,Drakopoulos Michael4,Atwood Robert C.4,Rutland Catrin S.1,Menzies-Gow Nicola5ORCID,Knowles Edd5,Elliott Jonathan5,Harris Patricia6,Rauch Cyril1

Affiliation:

1. School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK

2. Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala, Baqubah, Iraq

3. CIPB, Hounsfield Building, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK

4. BL12, Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK

5. The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL97TA, UK

6. Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE14 4RT, UK

Abstract

Global inequalities in economic access and agriculture productivity imply that a large number of developing countries rely on working equids for transport/agriculture/mining. Therefore, the understanding of hoof conditions/shape variations affecting equids' ability to work is still a persistent concern. To bridge this gap, using a multi-scale interdisciplinary approach, we provide a bio-physical model predicting the shape of equids’ hooves as a function of physical and biological parameters. In particular, we show (i) where the hoof growth stress originates from, (ii) why the hoof growth rate is one order of magnitude higher than the proliferation rate of epithelial cells and (iii) how the soft-to-hard transformation of the epithelium is possible allowing the hoof to fulfil its function as a weight-bearing element. Finally (iv), we demonstrate that the reason for hoof misshaping is linked to the asymmetrical design of equids' feet (shorter quarters/long toe) together with the inability of the biological growth stress to compensate for such an asymmetry. Consequently, the hoof can adopt a dorsal curvature and become ‘dished’ overtime, which is a function of the animal's mass and the hoof growth rate. This approach allows us to discuss the potential occurrence of this multifaceted pathology in equids.

Funder

PetPlan Charitable Trust, Waltham and The633 Ministryof Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq

Publisher

The Royal Society

Subject

Biomedical Engineering,Biochemistry,Biomaterials,Bioengineering,Biophysics,Biotechnology

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