The radiographic relationship of the distal phalanx with the hoof capsule was verified in Creole breed horses and these findings correlated with signs of obesity and insulin blood levels. Horses were divided in two groups based on their body score condition (ECC). The average age was 9.2±5.8 years in normal (ECC 5-7) and 10.3±3.7 years in the obese group (ECC 8-9). Statistical differences between groups (P<0.05) were detected for values of weight, thoracic girth, body score condition, neck score (ECP), neck length, neck circumference into three regions based on 25% (P25), 50% (P50) and 75% (P75) of the length of the neck and phalanx and hoof capsule relationship. The angle between the dorsal aspects of distal phalanx and hoof wall (rotation angle) statistically correlated with ECC (r = 0.30; P=0.02) and with weight and thoracic girth (r = 0.50; P<0.01). Plasma insulin concentrations positively correlated with ECP (r = 0.40, P <0.01) and rotation angle (r = 0.23, P = 0.08) and negatively with age (r = -0.42, P <.01). In eight animals (27%) rotation angle was greater than 2 degrees, of which 25% were normal and obese 75% (P <0.05). Apparently in Creole horses, morphometric characteristics of the hoof differ from international standards obtained from other breeds. Obesity interfered with the spatial relationship of the distal phalanx with the hoof capsule, indicating that obese animals of this breed are more likely to develop laminitis.
equine; Creole breed; obesity; insulin; laminitis
