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A strong hoof is the foundation of a sound horse. When it comes to proper hoof care, it’s all about balance.
All horses need regular farrier care, and working with an experienced farrier is one of the best investments you can make in your horse’s soundness.
Maintaining correct hoof balance with regular trimming and shoeing by a qualified farrier prevents overloading structures in the limb and allows the hoof to function optimally.
A collaborative approach between your veterinarian, your equine nutritionist, and your farrier is the best way to optimize your horse’s hoof health.
This article will review everything horse owners need to know about proper farrier care for horses. We will also discuss how hoof balance, trimming, and shoeing influence your horse’s health and performance, as well as discuss the recent trend toward barefoot trimming.
Farrier Care for Horses
Farriers are highly skilled hoof care professionals who trim and balance hooves and shoe horses.
These specialists can help identify, prevent and manage hoof health problems to protect your horse from lameness, joint issues and injuries.
Hoof Anatomy
Hooves are complex structures designed for optimal weight bearing and mobility. Healthy hooves expand to absorb shock and evenly distribute weight when they hit the ground. [1]
External hoof structures provide traction while protecting the sensitive internal soft tissues and bones. [2] These structures comprise the hoof capsule and include the hoof wall, sole, and frog.
The hoof wall is the hard, outermost layer of the hoof. When a horse’s foot is lifted, a white line is visible between the hoof wall and the sole. The frog is the triangular structure of elastic tissue pointing forward from the heels on the bottom of the hoof.
A robust and well-functioning hoof is critical for overall soundness and comfort. Â While horses in the wild naturally wear their hooves down on rough terrain, domestic horses need farrier care to maintain their feet since hooves constantly grow, just like human fingernails.
Hoof Balance
Biomechanical efficiency is the guiding principle of all farrier care. Trimming and shoeing influence how the horse’s feet land and push off the ground in each stride. Horses need balanced hooves to ensure they move efficiently and don’t overstress specific structures.
Balanced hooves land slightly heel first or flat, with the lateral portions of the hoof wall meeting the ground in unison. Hooves should also leave the ground heel first and have minimal break over resistance. [11]
The break over point is the last point of the foot to leave the ground. Optimal break over occurs at or near the toe. Long toes stress the internal structures of the lower limb by acting like levers and delaying break over. [12]
Hoof Angles
Ideally, the front hoof wall angle should mirror the coffin bone angle. This angle is generally around 55 degrees relative to the ground. It can vary significantly between horses though, and x-rays are the only definitive way to measure it. [13]
Traditionally, these hoof angles should also match the pastern for optimal alignment. But matching these angles perfectly can come at the cost of removing too much wall or sole, which can damage hoof integrity. [14]
Center of Balance
Determining the central balance point can also help farriers determine how to shape the hoof for optimal balance. This point sits directly below the center of the coffin joint and corresponds to the broadest part of the sole.
Farriers aim to trim the hoof so that the distance from the central balance point to the toe is the same as the distance to the heels. [15]
Medial-Lateral Balance
Correct trimming also accounts for the proper side-to-side balance of the hoof wall. Good medial-lateral balance ensures an even distribution of weight across the internal structures of the horse’s hoof.
Most horses don’t have perfect conformation, so both sides of the hoof might not be equal in height. A balanced trim allows both sides to reach the ground simultaneously during movement. [11]
Identifying Balance Problems
Minor balance problems can distort the hoof capsule over time. Horse owners can identify these problems by examining their horse’s hooves. Flares at the toe or sides and vertical cracks at the toe or quarters indicate excess pressure on those areas. [16]
Both heels should be the same height. If one heel takes more weight, it gets pushed up, resulting in sheared heels. Underrun heels collapse forward due to low-heel, long-toe imbalance. If your horse puts excess weight on his toes, the heels will contract.
Heel abnormalities may also be a sign of navicular syndrome. [17]
A healthy hoof has a symmetrical sole and a plump frog. An asymmetrical, narrow frog with a deep fissure is another sign of imbalance. Thrush can occur in this fissure. [16]
Hoof growth rings should be parallel to the coronary band and evenly spaced. Prominent growth rings often appear after dietary changes. But asymmetrical or compact hoof rings can indicate slowed growth due to uneven weight bearing. [16]
Balance Radiographs
Balance radiographs are the best way to evaluate hoof balance accurately and compare the angles of the coffin, hoof wall, and pastern.
These x-rays can also measure sole depth to help your farrier and veterinarian determine the best trimming and shoeing strategy for your horse. [18]
Many veterinarians recommend taking balance radiographs every six months to catch problems before they cause visible hoof distortions or injuries.
Trimming
Trimming preserves the integrity of the hoof’s structure by re-shaping the hoof and removing excess growth. Overgrown, unbalanced feet predispose the horse to injury by placing abnormal stresses on the internal structures. [3]
The hoof wall can chip or crack if the hoof grows too long. An elongated toe can also weaken the white line and increase the risk of bruising and hoof abscesses. Untrimmed feet may also develop flares as the hoof wall begins to separate. [2]
Your farrier will assess your horse’s conformation and hoof angle before trimming to maintain proper alignment. Farriers use hoof knives, nippers, and rasps to trim the hoof down to an ideal length.
The external structures of the hoof don’t have nerves or blood vessels, so correct trimming doesn’t hurt the horse. Â Excessive trimming though, can be painful and cause complications, so leave it to an experienced professional farrier that you trust.
What's your top priority with your horse's health?
What's your top priority with your horse's health?
Shoeing Horses
Shoeing provides additional protection and traction for the hooves. Historians believe men invented metal horseshoes to prevent working horses from becoming footsore while carrying heavy loads or travelling long distances. [4]
Today, wet environmental conditions and modern horse management practices that weaken hooves increase the need for shoes.
Increased time spent confined in stalls reduces hoof growth quality due to decreased circulation, while regular physical activity including carrying a rider subjects the horse’s feet to greater stress. [5] Performance horses wear shoes to protect the hoof wall from this excess wear.
Advances in shoeing now allow skilled farriers to use shoes to help correct conformational problems, assist injury rehabilitation, and even improve performance. Farriers may use different materials, uniquely shaped shoes, or hoof pads to accomplish specific goals.
Not all horse owners choose to shoe their horses. There is a growing trend towards keeping horses barefoot, which you can learn more about in our article on Barefoot Trimming for Horses: Benefits for the Hoof.
Horse Shoe Materials
Steel and aluminum are the most common materials used for horseshoes.
Forged steel iron shoes are the traditional option by most farriers for horses without advanced shoeing needs. Aluminum horseshoes are lighter-weight and often used for race horses.
Recent research evaluating alternative horseshoe materials, such as fibreglass composites, suggests that these shoes can reduce loading stress on the horse’s leg. Reduced loading stress could benefit horses wearing composite shoes during injury rehabilitation. [6]
Shoe Shape and Placement
Shoes are shaped to support the entire hoof wall and fit the horse’s trimmed hoof. An ideal fit sits the toe of the shoe directly below the front of the hoof wall.
The shoe should then widen slightly beyond the wall, following the contour of the hoof toward the heel.
This fit allows space for the heels to expand and the hoof to grow. A wider shoe may benefit horses with weaker hoof walls or low heels. [7]
Shoe design and placement can also improve biomechanics to support different goals. For example, shoes with a rocker or rolled toe can move the breakover point back when it’s impossible to trim hooves to an ideal balance. [8]
Corrective and therapeutic shoe designs address specific issues to optimize hoof balance, pressure distribution, and break over. Popular corrective shoes include:
- Bar shoes
- Collateral shoes
- Suspensory shoes
- Onion shoes
Hoof Pads
Farriers can also add pads to shoes to help address hoof problems.
Pads protect, cover, support, or elevate structures on the bottom of the hoof. They can also spread load bearing away from the hoof wall to the sole and frog.
There are many different types of pads with unique purposes. Common types of hoof pads used by farriers include:
- Rim pads
- Pour-in pads
- Leather pads
- Frog support pads
- Wedge pads
For example, wedge pads can raise hoof angles to correct poor conformation or assist injury recovery. Leather and pour-in pads can aid shock absorption and protect the sole from bruising. [9]
Nails vs. Glue-on Shoes
Most horses do well in traditional nailed-on shoes. Farriers place nails in the hoof wall no farther back than the hoof’s widest point. Correctly set nails are smoothly cinched in a line parallel to the ground and should not cause any pain.
Direct glue-on shoes use a unique epoxy adhesive to secure the shoe rather than using nails. These shoes reduce pressure on the lamina.
Horses with brittle walls, thin soles, or painful conditions such as laminitis may benefit from glue-on shoes. [10]
Soreness After Shoeing or Trimming
No matter what type of shoes your horse wears, contact your farrier immediately if your horse is sore after shoeing.
Your horse could have a hot nail, which the farrier can pull. Horses can also feel sore temporarily if the farrier trims a significant amount of foot.
Packing the foot can help reduce inflammation. However, if your horse is routinely sore after shoeing or trimming, call your veterinarian.
How to Prevent Pulled Shoes
Correctly applied shoes won’t fall off healthy hooves on their own. But it only takes one unlucky step to pull off a shoe. Some horses are more likely to overstep and pull front shoes due to short back conformation and a long stride.
Bell boots can help protect the back of the feet and reduce pulled shoes. Controlled turnout and dry footing also increase the likelihood of keeping shoes on.
The best way to prevent pulled shoes is to keep your horse on an appropriate trimming and shoeing schedule to ensure that the shoes don’t become too loose. Loose shoes and nails can damage the hoof wall or sensitive areas if they don’t come off completely.
If your horse does manage to lose a shoe, you should pack and wrap the foot immediately to minimize damage to the foot until the farrier can tack it back on.
Trimming and Shoeing Intervals
Most farriers recommend scheduling trimming or shoeing appointments every four to six weeks. Research supports these recommendations and suggests intervals longer than six weeks may increase the risk of injury. [20]
Some horse owners maintain their horses’ feet on a six to eight-week schedule, but recent studies have connected an eight-week interval with significant changes in hoof balance. [19]
One study found that eight-week intervals led to increased coffin joint extension and loading of the deep digital flexor tendon. [19]
There are still observable changes in hoof balance in horses at four to six-week intervals. But research shows that this interval promotes a consistent hoof pastern axis, which helps prevent soft tissue injuries caused by excessive loading. [20]
Still, every horse is different. Your horse’s hooves grow at different rates throughout the year, depending on exercise, season, footing, and climate.
Retired horses may do fine on longer intervals, while performance horses with conformation problems may need a strict four-week schedule. Talk to your farrier to determine the best program for your horse.
Does My Horse Need Shoes?
Not all horses need shoes. Whether or not your horse needs shoes depends on his conformation, workload, environment, and medical conditions.
Hard ground can cause bruising or soreness, and shoes can help keep horses comfortable on rough terrain. Performance horses with heavier workloads that experience increased foot concussion can also benefit from the extra support of shoes.
For some leisure horses with naturally strong feet, the hoof provides all the support a horse needs.
Horses barefoot for a prolonged period can build up natural protection from a thickened sole. Barefoot hooves also develop a natural concavity that provides traction when packed with dirt. [21]
But remaining barefoot might not be appropriate for horses with weakened hooves, conformational defects, or medical conditions. Shoes can alleviate stress on compromised structures and help counteract physical defects that cause the hoof to wear unevenly. [7]
Some research suggests barefoot trimming can help treat underrun heels and optimize coffin bone angle. [21]
Many studies have observed considerable morphological and functional differences between barefoot and shod hooves. One study found that barefoot horses had wider heels, larger frogs, and steeper heel angles than shod horses. [22]
Consult your farrier and veterinarian to determine which option is best for your horse.
The Horse Owner’s Responsibility
Optimal hoof health requires a team approach between the owner, farrier, veterinarian, and equine nutritionist. Owners can support healthy hooves between farrier visits by picking them daily and inspecting feet for common hoof problems.
Moisture management to prevent mud formation, regular exercise, and proper nutrition can also support hoof growth and integrity.
Nutrition for Hoof Health
A balanced diet provides the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals your horse needs to build strong hooves. Read more about feeding for hoof growth here.
Horses with hoof problems should be fed a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement that provides 20 mg of biotin per day. This B-vitamin supports the production of keratin, the primary structural protein in the hoof.
Research has shown that horses supplemented with 20 mg of biotin daily had less sensitive soles and faster hoof growth. [23] You can learn more about the research behind biotin in our article, 7 Science-Backed Benefits of Biotin for Horses.
Mad Barn’s Omneity® is a complete vitamin and mineral supplement that provides all of the key nutrients required by the horse to grow strong, robust hooves.
Formulated with enhanced vitamin levels, organic trace minerals, a nutritionally effective level of biotin, yeast and digestive enzymes, Omneity® is an all-in-one supplement to balance the diet and support your horse’s health from the inside out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about farrier care and hoof balance:
Most horses should see a farrier every four to six weeks to keep hoof growth, balance, and shoe fit under control. Longer intervals can allow the hoof capsule to distort and may increase strain on soft tissues. Some retired horses can go longer, while performance horses or horses with conformation issues may need a stricter four-week schedule.
Uneven hooves often show visible changes such as flares, cracks, mismatched heel height, or compressed growth rings on one side. A narrow frog with a deep central groove, an asymmetrical sole, sheared heels, or underrun heels can also suggest uneven loading. Hoof imbalance may develop gradually, so regular checks between farrier visits help catch problems early.
Farriers decide how much hoof to trim by assessing conformation, hoof angle, wall length, sole depth, and overall balance. Correct trimming removes excess growth while preserving enough hoof structure for comfort and support. A good trim helps the hoof land evenly, break over smoothly, and distribute weight across internal structures without taking away too much wall or sole.
Correct hoof trimming should not hurt horses because the outer hoof wall does not contain nerves or blood vessels. Discomfort can occur if too much hoof is removed, the sole is thinned, or an existing problem is aggravated. Working with an experienced farrier helps reduce the risk of soreness and protects the hoof’s natural structure.
Shoe placement can change how a horse moves by affecting breakover, weight distribution, traction, and hoof support. A well-fitted shoe supports the hoof wall while allowing the heel to expand. Rolled-toe or rocker-toe shoes can help the foot leave the ground more easily, especially when trimming alone cannot create ideal balance.
Not every horse needs shoes, since some horses with strong hooves, light workloads, and suitable footing can stay comfortable barefoot. Shoes may be helpful for horses that work on hard ground, have weak hoof walls, develop soreness, or need added support during rehabilitation. Farriers and veterinarians can help decide whether barefoot care or shoeing is best.
Hoof balance is important because it helps the foot land, load, and push off the ground efficiently. Poor balance can overload parts of the hoof, limb, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Over time, problems such as long toes, underrun heels, flares, cracks, or uneven weight bearing can increase the risk of soreness and injury.
Soreness after shoeing should be reported to your farrier right away, especially if your horse becomes lame or reluctant to bear weight. Possible causes include a hot nail, excessive trimming, sole pressure, or an underlying hoof problem. Temporary mild soreness can happen after major correction, but repeated soreness should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Pulled shoes are less likely when horses stay on an appropriate farrier schedule and shoes are not allowed to become loose. Bell boots can help protect the front shoes from being grabbed by the hind feet. Dry footing, controlled turnout, and regular hoof checks also reduce the chance of shoe loss and hoof wall damage.
Daily hoof care between farrier visits helps support soundness and catch small problems before they worsen. Pick out the hooves, check for cracks, loose shoes, thrush, heat, swelling, or changes in growth rings, and manage wet or muddy footing. Regular exercise and balanced nutrition also support hoof growth and overall hoof quality.
Nutrition can improve hoof health by supplying the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals needed to build strong hoof tissue. Hooves are made primarily from keratin, so horses need adequate protein, essential amino acids, biotin, zinc, copper, selenium, and vitamin E to support normal hoof wall growth, hoof horn quality, and healthy connective tissue. For most horses, Omneity® provides balanced vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and biotin support to help fill common nutrient gaps in forage-based diets. For horses with ongoing hoof concerns, poor hoof quality, metabolic concerns, or high-iron forage, AminoTrace+ provides a more fortified option with higher levels of key trace minerals and no added iron. Hoof growth is slow, so nutrition support usually needs to be fed consistently over several months.
The best overall hoof supplement for horses is a complete vitamin and mineral supplement that supports the whole diet, not just a basic hoof supplement with one or two ingredients. Hoof quality depends on the overall supply and balance of protein, amino acids, biotin, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin E, and other nutrients involved in keratin formation and hoof wall growth. For most horses, Mad Barn’s Omneity® is the best overall supplement to support hoof quality because it provides broad vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and biotin support for forage-based diets. For horses with persistent hoof problems, thin or brittle hoof walls, metabolic concerns, or high-iron forage, AminoTrace+ is the more fortified choice. AminoTrace+ provides higher levels of key hoof-support nutrients, including zinc, copper, biotin, amino acids, vitamin E, and organic selenium, with no added iron.
Summary
- The hoof capsule is a complex structure designed to support the weight of the horse's body and protect internal tissues.
- Optimal hoof balance ensures efficient weight distribution, shock absorption, and biomechanics.
- The hoof wall continuously grows and requires regular trimming by a qualified farrier to maintain balance.
- Shoes provide extra support and protection for working horses, but not all horses need them.
- A frequent trimming schedule and collaborative approach between the owner, farrier, and veterinarian are essential for hoof health.
References
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- Pollitt, C. Anatomy and physiology of the inner hoof wall. Clin Tech Equine Pract. 2004.
- Van Heel, M. et al. Dynamic pressure measurements for the detailed study of hoof balance: the effect of trimming. Equine Vet J. 2010. View Summary
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- Page, B. et al. Breakover of the hoof and its effect on structures and forces within the foot. J Equine Vet Sci. 2002.
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