If your horse regularly has sore feet, struggles to walk over hard or rocky ground or becomes foot-sore after trimming, there may be more going on than simply needing shoes.
You may have an experienced farrier who trims your horse every five or six weeks, yet your horse still develops sore feet. Some days they may happily trot over firm ground, while at other times they struggle to walk on anything firmer than sand or soft grass.
Perhaps every time the farrier visits, you worry your horse will become lame after a trim. Or you have tried to transition your horse to barefoot but cannot seem to get their hooves comfortable enough without shoes.
You may feel as though you are finally making progress, only for your horse to become foot-sore again for no obvious reason.
So, why does this happen?
Lifestyle and hoof structure
To understand why some horses experience ongoing hoof soreness, it is helpful to consider how the lifestyle of the domestic horse differs from that of free-ranging horses.
These differences can have a significant effect on hoof development and the structures within the hoof.
Free-ranging horses spend a large proportion of their day moving in search of food and water. They generally consume fibrous, relatively low-energy forage and travel over a variety of surfaces.
This continual movement naturally wears the hooves and provides regular stimulation to the structures within the foot.
A healthy hoof has a strong hoof wall and a naturally concave sole. The shape of the sole helps reduce the amount of direct pressure placed on the sole when the horse moves over firm ground, while the frog contributes to traction and shock absorption.
What are flat feet in horses?
Some horses have soles that are relatively flat rather than strongly concave. When the sole is flatter, more of the underside of the foot may come into contact with the ground.
This can make a horse more sensitive when walking over firm, uneven or rocky surfaces.
Rather than assuming that a horse was simply "born with flat feet", it is worth considering how hoof shape can change throughout a horse's life.
Hoof conformation can be influenced by factors including trimming, movement, nutrition, pasture conditions and previous hoof problems. Flaring, underrun heels and laminitis can also contribute to changes in hoof shape and internal hoof structures.
Could low-grade laminitis be contributing to sore feet?
Some horses with ongoing hoof sensitivity may have underlying metabolic or inflammatory issues contributing to their foot soreness.
Low-grade laminitis (LGL) is a term sometimes used to describe horses showing subtle or recurring signs that may be associated with laminitic changes without developing the dramatic symptoms traditionally associated with an acute laminitis episode.
These horses may simply seem as though they are "not quite right" much of the time.
Signs that may be associated with low-grade laminitis
Some signs to look out for include:
- Foot soreness when walking over firm or rocky surfaces
- Persistent hoof flaring despite appropriate trimming
- Underrun heels
- Relatively flat soles
- Separation of the hoof wall
- Seedy toe
- Becoming sore after trimming
- A shortened stride
- Reluctance to move forward with normal impulsion
- Difficulty with canter transitions
- Changes in the way the horse places their feet
A horse experiencing hoof sensitivity may also alter the way they move to reduce discomfort. For example, some horses may place their feet down differently or shift weight away from areas of the hoof that are uncomfortable.
However, these signs are not specific to laminitis. Hoof abscesses, sole bruising, thrush, incorrect trimming, hoof conformation and other conditions can also cause foot soreness or lameness.
Any horse that is suddenly lame or significantly painful should be assessed by a veterinarian.
Why are some horses more foot-sore in spring and autumn?
Pasture can play an important role in hoof health, particularly for horses that are sensitive to changes in grass.
Spring and autumn can bring significant changes in pasture growth, and horses may consume considerably more grass when conditions are favourable.
For horses prone to laminitis or metabolic issues, access to lush pasture may therefore need to be carefully managed.
This can be particularly relevant for horses living in coastal, subtropical and tropical environments, where warm temperatures and rainfall can support pasture growth for much of the year.
A horse that becomes noticeably more foot-sore when grass is lush may benefit from having their diet and pasture management reviewed rather than simply relying on hoof protection.
Hoof care and pasture management
If your horse regularly experiences sore feet, consider the bigger picture rather than looking at the hoof in isolation.
1. Provide a dry area
During prolonged wet weather, provide access to a dry area where your horse can stand and move around.
Constantly wet conditions can affect hoof quality and may contribute to other hoof problems.
2. Consider grass intake
If your horse has access to lush, rapidly growing pasture, consider whether their grass intake needs to be restricted.
Pasture management needs to be individualised, particularly for horses that are prone to laminitis or have previously experienced metabolic problems.
3. Consider the type of pasture
Horses generally have different nutritional requirements from cattle bred for rapid growth and weight gain.
Where possible, consider pasture species and management practices that are appropriate for horses rather than simply allowing unrestricted access to highly fertilised, rapidly growing pasture.
Read more about choosing suitable pasture in our guide to safe horse pasture.
4. Keep up with regular hoof trimming
Regular, appropriate trimming is important for maintaining hoof balance and preventing excessive hoof wall growth.
Allowing the hoof to become excessively long between trims may contribute to changes in hoof shape and loading.
Your farrier or hoof care professional can help determine an appropriate trimming schedule for your individual horse.
5. Review the whole diet
Nutrition plays an important role in hoof growth and overall horse health.
If your horse repeatedly develops hoof soreness, flaring or other hoof changes, it may be worth looking beyond the hoof itself and reviewing their overall diet, pasture and nutritional intake.
Our Calm Healthy Horse Plan provides further information about feeding and supplementation for horses.
Can hoof boots help a sore-footed horse?
Padded hoof boots can be useful for providing temporary protection and comfort to a horse with sensitive feet, particularly when transitioning to barefoot.
However, hoof boots address the symptom of hoof sensitivity rather than necessarily addressing why the horse is sore in the first place.
If your horse repeatedly becomes foot-sore despite appropriate hoof care, it is worth investigating potential underlying contributors such as pasture, diet, metabolic health, hoof balance and previous hoof damage.
Looking beyond the hoof
When a horse repeatedly develops sore feet, it can be tempting to focus solely on trimming, shoes or hoof protection.
While appropriate hoof care is essential, hoof health is influenced by much more than the hoof itself.
Diet, pasture, movement, hoof care and the horse's overall health all need to be considered together.
If you are concerned that your horse may have recurring hoof sensitivity or signs that could be associated with low-grade laminitis, speak with your veterinarian and hoof care professional. Reviewing your horse's diet and lifestyle may also help identify areas that could be contributing to ongoing hoof problems.
If you would like guidance on nutrition and natural support for your horse, you can Ask Our Naturopath.