Novel tailormade 3D-printed glue-on horseshoes and biomechanical changes over a shoeing cycle: a pilot study

Background: Healthy hooves are essential for equine welfare and performance. Although traditional steel shoes remain the standard in farriery, these have disadvantages and may be unsuitable for some horses. Advances in additive manufacturing have enabled the development of tailormade 3D-printed shoes that can be glued directly to the hoof. Objectives: To describe the development of a tailormade 3D-printed shoe manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer and to evaluate its effects on biomechanical parameters over a seven-week shoeing cycle. Study Design: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Six horses were fitted with tailormade 3D-printed glue-on shoes and monitored throughout a seven-week shoeing interval. A conventional steel shoeing cycle was also evaluated as reference. Kinematic data were collected using 3D inertial measurement units attached to the hooves to measure accelerations. Kinetic data, including vertical ground reaction forces and hoof balance curves, were obtained using a pressure-force measurement system. Assessments were performed during the first week (W1) and the seventh week (W7) of the shoeing cycle. Data were summarised descriptively, and exploratory comparisons between W1 and W7 were conducted using linear mixed-effects models. Results: All 3D-printed shoes remained securely attached throughout the seven-week period without requiring replacement. No consistent changes were detected in the evaluated discrete kinematic or kinetic parameters between W1 and W7 in the 3D-printed shoes. However, temporal shifts in both the toe–heel and mediolateral hoof balance curves were observed over the shoeing cycle. Main Limitations: The study was limited to a small sample size. Furthermore, the statistical analyses were exploratory in nature. Conclusions: The tailormade 3D-printed glue-on shoes remained functional and securely attached throughout a complete shoeing cycle. Their use was not associated with marked alterations in kinematic or kinetic parameters. Continuing research is indicated to further characterise their mechanical properties and to substantiate the clinical value of this type of horseshoe.