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Discussion
Though this study does not identify the mechanism by which toe grabs cause injury, the results show that horses shod with toe grabs are more likely to sustain a fatal musculo-skeletal injury, and that the risk of injury increases with increased height of the toe grab.
Dr. Kane has two explanations for the correlation — altered hoof angle and excessive traction. Because toe grabs elevate only the toe of the hoof, they lower the functional hoof angle (similar to long toe/low heel conformation (which may change the natural position of the horse’s hoof during the weight-bearing part of the stride.
This imbalance may affect the forces on the structures of the limb while the horse is galloping. In addition, when a horse gallops, the hooves naturally slide a little as they land which may help dissipate some of the concussive force of landing. With toe grabs, the hoof may stop too quickly, causing excessive forces to be transferred to the bones, tendons and ligaments resulting in injury.
Rim shoes could offer a promising alternative by actually decreasing the odds of injury. A rim shoe, like a toe grab, helps improve traction,
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