M Masoudifard - Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
A.R Vajhi - Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Sh Mansouri - Private Veterinary Practitioner, Tehran, Iran
M Molazem - Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND:The Akhal-Teke is an ancient horse originating from Asia where it was used by nomadic tribes and used as a warhorse. Lameness examinations require proper interpretationof clinical and radiographic findings. Therefore, understanding of normal radiographic findings of the foot is necessary. Although the radiographic appearance of the normal foot must be understood to recognize abnormalities ,there are no studies examining the normal hoof and digital soft tissues in Akhal-Tekehorses. OBJECTIVES:The purpose of the study reported here was to determine a normal radiographic appearance and morphometry of the distal phalanx and its related soft tissue in mature Akhal-Teke racehorses without any clinical signs of lameness and foot problems. METHODS: Radiography of the distal phalanx and associated soft-tissue structures of the front feet of 10 healthy pure Akhal-Teke horses were performed to determine normal radiographic appearance and morphometry. Lateromedialradiographic views of each front distal phalanx were used to measure important distances, angles and ratios of the hoof wall. All the measurements from lateromedial radiographs were multiplied by the magnification correction factor to gain the actual distances. RESULTS: Mean ± SD thickness of the soft tissues dorsal to the middle aspect of distal phalanx was 18.3 ± 1.22 mm. There was not any significant difference between left and right digits for any radiographic determination. CONCLUSIONS:This study introduced S-Founder and CF-Founder as important criteria in evaluating laminitis and sinking of P3.

Akhal-Teke horse, front feet,measurement, radiography