Hoof Characteristics of Anglo Arabian, Haflinger, Monterufoli, and Maremmano Horse

In this work the hoof quality of 9 Anglo Arabian, 10 Haflinger, 7 Maremmano, and 15 Monterufoli equines was evaluated. Anglo Arabian is a cosmopolitan breed, others are Italian horses: Haflinger derives from Trentino Alto Adige, Maremmano and Monterufoli from Tuscany. Hoof samples, from the front left foot, were collected during the trimming in order to assess the physical-chemical characteristics and mineral content in nail. Collected data were submitted to ANOVA, principal component and discriminant analyses and a heathmap of the square distance among mineral content in hoof of different breeds was carried out. The softest hoof was found in Monterufoli Pony, having also highest dry matter content. Highest Fe, Ni, Pb, Se content, characterized the Anglo Arabian hoof, while Monterufoli Pony hoof showed the highest Na content. The multivariate analyses have shown K, Li, Mn, Na, and P were the most identifying minerals in the hoof nail. In Anglo Arabian, Haflinger, Maremmano hoof there was a high bioaccumulation of minerals, while the Monterufoli Pony hoof quickly remove the minerals, probably through the nail consumption and the osmoregulation activity. All statistical analysis showed that Monterufoli Pony hoof was different from the hoof of other considered breeds. All animals have shown foot of good quality suitable for the barefoot practice.