There is limited information documenting hind foot conformation. The objectives of the study were to describe the shape of the hoof capsule of hindlimbs from the lateral aspect in horses of variable breeds, and, within horses, to compare the conformation of the hoof capsule of forelimbs and hindlimbs and determine the orientation of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule in hindlimbs. Lateral photographs of the fore and hind feet (n = 225) and lateromedial radiographs of the hind feet (n = 29) were obtained. Differences among breed and shoeing status groups were assessed using multivariable mixed-effects linear regression models. Angular parameters and ratios of linear measurements were compared between fore and hind feet; angular radiological variables and photographic parameters of the hind feet were compared. The mean dorsal hoof wall angle for hind feet (50.9°±3.7°) was smaller than forefeet (51.8°±3.9°) (P = 0.04). The mean heel angles for hind feet (36.4°±9.6°) were smaller than forefeet (40.1°±9.3°; P < 0.001). Dorsal hoof wall (P < 0.001) and heel (P = 0.002) angles were larger in unshod than shod feet. In the hind feet, the dorsal hoof wall was parallel to the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx. The median angle of the distal phalanx to the horizontal (angle S) was 0.6° (interquartile range: −1.4, 2.3°). There was a positive relationship between angle S and the hoof wall angle (W); each 1° increase in angle S was associated with 0.6° increase in angle W (P < 0.001). Angle S was also positively associated with photographic heel angle; each degree increase in the angle S was associated with 1.8° increase in the heel angle (P < 0.001). It was concluded that the angle of the distal phalanx to the horizontal in hindlimbs is smaller than published values for forelimbs. The orientation of the distal phalanx in hindlimbs is correlated with external characteristics of the hoof capsule.

中文翻译：

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研究后肢蹄囊的形状、其与远节指骨方向的关系以及与前肢蹄囊构象的比较

记录后足构造的信息有限。该研究的目的是从侧面描述不同品种马的后肢蹄囊的形状，并在马体内比较前肢和后肢的蹄囊的构造，并确定远端的方向。后肢蹄囊内的指骨。获得了前后足 (n = 225) 的侧面照片和后足 (n = 29) 的侧向 X 光片。使用多变量混合效应线性回归模型评估品种和穿鞋状态组之间的差异。比较前后足的角度参数和线性测量的比率；比较了后足的角度放射学变量和摄影参数。后足的平均背蹄壁角 (50.9°±3.7°) 小于前足 (51.8°±3.9°) (P = 0.04)。后足的平均跟角 (36.4°±9.6°) 小于前足 (40.1°±9.3°; P < 0.001)。未穿鞋的足背蹄壁 (P < 0.001) 和足跟 (P = 0.002) 角度大于穿鞋足。在后足中，蹄背壁平行于远节指骨的背侧。远节指骨与水平面的中位角（角 S）为 0.6°（四分位距：-1.4, 2.3°）。角 S 与蹄壁角 (W) 呈正相关；角度 S 每增加 1°，角度 W 就会增加 0.6°（P < 0.001）。角度 S 也与摄影横倾角呈正相关；角度 S 每增加 1 度，横倾角就增加 1.8°（P < 0.001）。结论是后肢远端指骨与水平面的角度小于前肢的公布值。后肢远节指骨的方向与蹄囊的外部特征相关。