Progress report 3D printed horse shoes - December 2020

No hoof, no horse!

Healthy feet are essential for every horse, for its well-being and its health, both in short- and on long term. 

For horses with one or more orthopedic problems in the musculoskeletal system, a horseshoe that optimally fits is of utmost importance. Even the smallest deviation of ‘non-fitting’ may lead to other disorders of the musculoskeletal system that, as consequence, may lead to pain, lameness and decreased level of welfare. In the most extreme cases the horse might even have to be euthanized.  

Although there is continuous progress in the field of  traditional farriery, it is not always possible to provide the horse with the right kind of shoes using traditional farriery, either because the horse is too painful (laminitis), or because traditional methods of farriery will not lead to an optimal fit (missing of part of the hoof wall), or because the horn of the hoof is too fragile (white line disease, hoof canker).

The aim of this project is therefore to explore whether 3D printing technology would have added value to horses in their need for therapeutic and/or orthopedic shoeing. The project focusses on the following four questions:

• Is it technically possible to measure the hooves of a horse with 3D camera technology and shoe them with 3D printed horseshoes?
• What are the effects of 3D printed horseshoes on the pressure distribution under the foot?
• What are the effects of 3D printed horseshoes on the locomotion pattern of the horse?
• What are the wear characteristics of 3D printed horseshoes and are they sufficiently durable compared to traditional iron shoes?

The procedure of creating 3D printed horseshoes

In order to develop a 3D printed horseshoe, the hoof must first be trimmed, followed by scanning using a 3D camera. Scanning was performed using the ARTEC 3D scanner and was done by the company 4C.

The shape and dimensions of the hoof are then entered into the computer and any desired orthopedic and/or therapeutic features are added using a customized software program.

In the next step, the computer file is sent to the 3D printing company that takes care for printing the shoe. Horseshoes are ready to be picked up 48 hours later. The design and printing of the shoe is carried out by Protospace foundation.

The shoes are applied to the feet of the horses using special glue. Once the glue has dried, a process that takes between 3 and 5 minutes, the horse is allowed to fully load the foot. After application, the shoes remain in place and can stay up for 7 weeks on the hoof.

Research progress (up to November 2020)

In December 2019, the first two horses were scanned and shod with 3D printed shoes. Pressure distribution under the foot and gait analysis were performed in both horses using a force and pressure plates system as well as with an objective gait analysis system. The stability and wear of the shoes was also assessed over a full shoeing cycle of 7 weeks.

The same two horses were then shod with a new set of 3D printed shoes for a second cycle in March 2020 and measured again. Unfortunately, the subsequent corona outbreak necessitated that the project had to be put on hold for a number of weeks.

The project was resumed in June 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2021, with 6 more horses having been included in the study.

In summary, the development so far is as follows:

The technical feasibility of creating and applying 3D printed shoes

The photograph below shows the 1st horse immediately after the 3D printed shoes were applied: this was a milestone as this is the first horse in the Netherlands with 3D printed horseshoes! This allowed us to conclude that the whole technology for creating and applying 3D printed horseshoes can be used successfully.

Pressure plate analysis

To analyse the pressure distribution under the feet, the horses were walked and trotted over a pressure plate, enabling the researchers to gather information of pressure distribution for both front hooves. The results for the 2 first horses with the 3D printed shoes showed that the pressure distribution remained near enough consistent during the shoeing cycle.

Locomotion analysis

The vertical movements of the head, withers and pelvis were measured once per week for the whole shoeing cycle to determine the locomotion pattern of the horses. No apparent changes in locomotion were detected in the first 2 horses throughout the shoeing cycle.

For the next group of measured horses, limbs motion will also be assessed.

Wear characteristics

During the first test phase, the 3D printed shoes wore out more quickly than anticipated. After 4 weeks, the toe part of the shoe was completely worn, and the hoof wall was visible. As a result, it was decided to thicken the sole part of the shoes, bringing the total thickness of the sole from 8 mm to 12 mm. Furthermore, the sole was printed in two colours, with colours changing every 1 mm layer, in order to make it easier to monitor the wearing patterns.  

The changes in thickness of the shoes resulted in the horses being able to wear them for 8 weeks before the toe part of the shoes were completely worn.

Conclusions

In summary, the following can be concluded based on the findings so far:

• It is technically possible to scan the hooves of the horse, as well as design, print and glue tailor-made plastic shoes. Furthermore, it appears that the process is relatively easy to implement in a clinical setting.
• The obtained 3D printed shoes can remain firmly attached to the hooves during a full shoeing cycle, 7-8 weeks, and do not come loose prematurely.
• If the sole of the 3D printed horseshoe is sufficiently thick, it does not wear through during a full shoeing cycle (7-8 weeks).
• The pressure distribution in the feet does not seem to change significantly throughout the shoeing cycle.
• The 3D printed shoes do not adversely affect the locomotion of the horse throughout the shoeing cycle.

The next steps

Measurements regarding pressure distribution, gait analysis and wear characteristics of 3D-printed horseshoes are ongoing and involve 6 other horses. Comparison will be made with traditional horseshoes. Based on the collected data, the conclusions drawn about the effects of the 3D printed shoes compared to the traditional iron shoes will be published in due course in peer-reviewed journals.

Without any additional set-backs (e.g., due to corona measures or other unforeseen events), the project is due to be completed at the end of February 2021.

3D-printed horseshoes in the media

In December 2019, the news regarding the first ever 3D-printed and applied horseshoe in the Netherlands was shared in a short news item on the webpage of Utrecht University. This new item ended up being the most read article of the entire University in 2019. In addition, an article was published in the own magazine of the Faculty, VetScience.

The news was also picked up and distributed by a number of general and specialised media like AD, Bit Magazine,horses.nl, de Hoefslag, Utrecht Nieuws, De Gelderlander, De Stentor, InnovationOrigins.com, Levendehave.nl and horsetags.be. that clearly demonstrated the interest of the public regarding equine welfare and innovation with regard to this farriery technology.