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Tubule density at different sample sites around the Stratum medium of horse hoof horn

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

L Hopegood ,
D Abraham  and
C Shervey
L Hopegood
Affiliation:
The Nottingham Trent University, School of Land-based Studies, Brackenhurst, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 OQF, UK, Email: lyn.hopegood@ntu.ac.uk
D Abraham
Affiliation:
The Nottingham Trent University, School of Land-based Studies, Brackenhurst, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 OQF, UK, Email: lyn.hopegood@ntu.ac.uk
C Shervey
Affiliation:
The Nottingham Trent University, School of Land-based Studies, Brackenhurst, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 OQF, UK, Email: lyn.hopegood@ntu.ac.uk
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Extract

Microscopic analysis shows that equine hoof wall is composed of distinct phases of tubular and intertubular horn. The tubule density (TD) of hoof horn is found by ascertaining the number of tubules per unit area and is believed to relate to mechanical properties, resistance to wear, “quality”, hardness and moisture content. The straight grid previously used to ascertain the TD of hoof horn may omit certain tubules on both the inner and outer hoof wall as the wall itself is curved. This present study examined whether there was a significant difference in results for TD between using the conventional straight grid method and a novel method using a curved grid. TD was also compared across three sample sites. An analysis of TD from four equal sections (zones) across the hoof wall was also carried out.

The left fore feet of 10 randomly selected slaughterhouse horses and ponies were used to provide hoof samples.

Type
Posters
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 32: Emerging Equine Science , 2004 , pp. 173 - 175
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2004

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References

Hopegood, L. (2002) Tubule Density, Moisture Content and Mechanical Properties of Donkey Hoof Horn. PhD Thesis, De Montfort University.Google Scholar
Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J. and Cuddeford, D. (1996) Tubule density in equine hoof horn. Biomimetics 4:1, 23–35.Google Scholar
Reilly, J.D., Collins, S.N., Cope, B.C., Hopegood, L. and Latham, R.J. (1998) Tubule density of the Stratum medium of horse hoof. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement , 26, 4–9. Google Scholar