Researchers Study Connemara Hoof Wall Separation Syndrome
- Topics: Article
No account yet? Register
The Irish Connemara pony is known for being both athletic and surefooted. But a recently discovered and frustrating hoof condition can strike these ponies down before they even reach weanling age. Fortunately, researchers are making strides in understanding this syndrome, and might have uncovered a way to drastically reduce its incidence.
At the 2013 International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, held Nov. 1-3 in West Palm Beach, Fla., Carrie Finno, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, presented recent study results suggesting that Connemara hoof wall separation syndrome (HWSS) is an autosomal recessive trait that can be avoided by careful breeding.
Finno, currently a researcher in the University of Minnesota Equine Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory, explained that the syndrome is characterized by severe hoof wall separation during the first year of Connemara foals' lives.
"The weight-bearing borders of the hoof wall break away from the underlying structure, leaving the pony to bear weight on the sole," she said. And while this condition appears clinically similar to white line disease—which causes a progressive separation of the inner structures from the outer hoof wall in horses of all breeds, ages, and sexes—it only affects Connemara foals aged 1 to 4 months, and it only affects the dorsal hoof wall (the outside of the hoof wall at the toe)
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.
Related Articles
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with