Why Good Hoof Care is the Foundation of Equine Health
- Horses Inside Out
- 14 minutes ago
- 6 min read
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “No hoof, no horse.” It may sound like a cliché, but this timeless truth highlights just how critical good hoof care is to your horse’s health, performance, and long-term soundness. In fact, the hoof is not just a supporting structure - it’s a dynamic, weight-bearing, shock-absorbing marvel that influences everything from movement to posture.
In Chapter 4: Hoof Care and Balance of The Bare Bones of the Matter series, Gillian is joined by farrier and barefoot specialist Mark Johnson to take a detailed look into the intricacies of the equine hoof. With additional insights from world-renowned farrier Simon Curtis, this episode explores everything from hoof anatomy and balance to asymmetries, hoof shape, and shoeing options. This is one is for all horse owners who want to make informed, hoof-smart decisions.
In this article to whet your appetite, we'll take a closer look at the hoof, explore why good hoof care matters so much and how you can keep your horse’s feet in tip-top condition.
The Hoof - A Window into Your Horse’s Health
Each hoof contains a complex network of bones, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Its structure supports the entire weight of the horse, absorbs impact, and plays a vital role in locomotion. The hoof’s health is connected to the rest of the body, imbalances or asymmetries in the foot can lead to compensation patterns that affect joints, muscles, and posture.
A healthy hoof is crucial for soundness and as most lameness comes from the foot, appreciating its anatomy can help to avoid problems and ensure you can recognise and understand when things go wrong.
The Anatomy of the Foot
The foot is encased by a keratin hoof, which grows from the coronet band that is situated directly above the hoof wall, and is protected by a thick layer of skin and hair.
The darker band at the top of the hoof is called the peripole, a special membrane that controls the amount of moisture in the foot.
The wall, bars and frog are the weight-bearing structures. These expand and contract with each step as weight is transferred from one foot the next.
The bones of the foot are held together by ligaments.
In Hoof Care and Balance Chapter of The Bare Bones of the Matter, Mark Johnson emphasises the hoof’s anatomical connections and how even subtle imbalances can have significant ripple effects throughout the horse’s body. When hooves are well-balanced, the rest of the body moves more efficiently and is under less strain.
Main functions of the hoof
Assist in weight bearing
Protect the sensitive internal structures of the foot
Maintain moisture in the foot
Provide grip
Act as a shock absorber
Ensure healthy circulation
What’s inside the hoof
The lower portion of the short pastern extends into the hoof capsule
The pedal bone provides the shape and rigidity required to bear weight
The navicular bone, situated just behind the pedal bone and in front of the bulbs acts as a pulley over which runs the deep digital flexor tendon, which is responsible for flexion of the foot.
The hoof also contains cartilage, blood vessels and nerves.
Sensitive laminae provide the main area of blood circulation within the foot and attach the hoof to the pedal bone.
600 insensitive laminae growing outwards from the wall interweave with 250 sensitive laminae which grow outwards from the pedal bone – joining the hoof to the skeleton. It’s this that gives a large surface area that carries blood to all the components of the hoof and helps to distribute the weight. The white line, visible on the underside of the hoof, shows the junction between the sensitive and insensitive laminae. Laminitis, inflammation of the laminae, can result in the extremely painful separation of the sensitive and insensitive laminae.
Fun Foot Facts
The hoof grows on average 5mm a month
The fetlock is equivalent to our knuckles
Horses shed the frog at least twice a year
The frog is equivalent to our fingertip
Common Hoof Problems Every Horse Owner Should Know
While prevention is always better than cure, understanding common hoof issues and how to spot them early can make a huge difference to your horse’s comfort, performance, and long-term soundness. Below are some of the most frequently encountered hoof problems and what you should watch out for:
Thrush is a bacterial infection in the grooves of the frog, usually caused by damp, dirty conditions or poor foot hygiene. The classic sign of thrush is black, smelly discharge around the frog. Also, the frog can be soft and spongy or the horse may show signs of discomfort when you pick out their feet. Keeping feet clean and dry, pick out hooves daily, and ensuring good stable hygiene will all help to prevent thrush.
Bruised Soles are caused by damage to the sole from hard ground, sharp objects, or poor shoeing. Signs of a bruised sole may include sudden lameness - often in one foot and sensitivity when pressure is applied to the sole.
Hoof Abscess - one of the most common causes of lameness. A painful build-up of infection inside the hoof, often from a puncture, crack, or bruising. Sudden and severe lameness with the horse unwilling to put weight on the affected foot are all signs that there may be an abscess. A strong digital pulse is another indicator. Call your vet and farrier to investigate. Poulticing the area will help to draw out the infection.
Seedy Toe (White Line Disease) is the separation of the hoof wall at the white line, often starting at the toe. It normally occurs when the toes are allowed to become too long, but it can also be a result of laminitis or concussion from hard ground. This can trap bacteria and cause crumbling. This condition needs to be managed by your vet and regular correct trimming by a farrier.
Keep One Step Ahead
Regular hoof care and a trusted relationship with your farrier or hoof care professional are your best tools for prevention. Good hoof care is a collaborative effort between the horse owner, farrier, and, where needed, the vet.
1. Routine Maintenance
Schedule regular visits from a qualified farrier or barefoot trimmer every 4–8 weeks, depending on your horse’s needs. Imbalance and Asymmetry of the hoof can lead to stress in joints and tendons, increasing the risk of injury.
2. Get to Know Your Horse’s Feet
Hoof checks must be part of your daily routine. Learn what is normal for your horse. Look for signs of uneven wear of shoes, or hooves if barefoot. Feel for heat and any swelling of the lower legs or changes in movement. Recognising any changes from your horse's normal can prevent minor issues from escalating.
3. A Balanced Diet
Nutrition plays a huge role in hoof quality and health. Make sure you are feeding a balanced diet to ensure your horse’s diet supports strong, healthy growth. If you are unsure, get advice from an equine nutritionist.
Don’t Miss Chapter 4 of The Bare Bones of the Matter
Premiering on Wednesday 15th October 2025, Chapter 4: Hoof Care and Balance features fascinating insights from experts who live and breathe hoof care. From understanding hoof mechanics and assessing movement to correcting imbalances and deformities, this episode offers an educational and practical look at what’s happening with your horse’s feet.
“I think that what Gillian has done in terms of sharing Freddie’s life with us and now sharing his final gift with us, is absolutely phenomenal, and I am delighted to have been invited into Freddie's series, Bare Bones of the Matter,” says Mark Johnson. “We (farriers) focus on the feet, and that's our primary responsibility, but our secondary responsibility is to understand as much as we can, of the rest of the horse”
As with anything to do with horses, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In this episode, Mark explores the pros and cons of barefoot management and the use of hoof boots.
You can learn more about how hoof balance and care affect the whole horse, in Chapter 4: Hoof Care and Balance of The Bare Bones of the Matter, premiering Wednesday 15th October 2025. Join us for a fascinating look into the structure, function, and farriery behind healthy, sound hooves.
Simon Curtis also shares his expertise in this episode on identifying and managing angular limb deformities and asymmetries in young horses - a crucial topic for breeders and anyone raising youngstock.
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