Are Your Horse's Feet Trimmed Correctly? 2025 Vet Guide to Hoof Balance, Toe Length & Preventing Lameness 🦶🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Hoof care is fundamental to equine soundness. Even with regular farrier visits, improper trimming—especially long toes—remains a common issue. Long toes can lead to cracks, abscesses, delayed breakover, navicular stress, and worsening of founder. In 2025, equine veterinarians emphasize the importance of evaluating hoof balance, symmetry, and breakover after every trim. Here’s how to make sure your horse’s feet are truly being trimmed correctly.

Common Trimming Issues 👀

1. Long Toes

• Most frequently overlooked issue
• Contributes to:
  • Toe cracks
  • Wide white line separation
  • Hoof abscesses
  • Navicular pain and strain

2. Improper Breakover

• Breakover is the moment the toe lifts off the ground during a stride
• Long toes delay breakover, increasing stress on joints and tendons

3. Imbalanced Front Feet

• The front hoof should be almost as wide as it is long
• Toes that are significantly longer than they are wide are too long

How to Check Your Horse’s Trim 🔍

Step 1: Pick Up the Front Foot

• Inspect the toe from underneath
• If there’s a space >1/8” between the hoof wall and sole at the toe, the wall may be too long

Step 2: Measure the Foot 📏

• Use a tape measure to check:
  • Width (widest part across the sole)
  • Length (heel to toe)
• On front feet, width and length should be within 1/4” of each other

Step 3: Look at the Dorsal Hoof Wall

• The front hoof wall should be straight
• If it curves outward near the toe, the hoof may be dished and overgrown

Consequences of Long Toes ⚠️

1. Cracks and White Line Disease

• Toe cracks often result from toe leverage stress
• Stretched white line allows dirt and bacteria in → abscess formation

2. Delayed Breakover and Joint Stress

• Increased pressure on:
  • Navicular bone
  • Coffin joint
  • Deep digital flexor tendon

3. Worsening of Founder (Laminitis)

• Long toes increase the pull of the deep digital flexor tendon
• This can exacerbate coffin bone rotation in foundered horses

What a Correct Front Hoof Should Look Like 🐎

• Straight dorsal hoof wall
• Toe length no more than 1/4 inch longer than the width
• Tight white line without gaps or flaring
• Symmetry from side to side

Talking to Your Farrier 🧑‍🔧

• Ask your farrier to:
  • Check the breakover point and adjust if needed
  • Shorten the toe where appropriate
  • Explain how their trim supports your horse’s conformation

Case Example: Trail Horse with Toe Crack and Intermittent Lameness

1. 12-year-old gelding with recurrent abscesses and toe crack
2. Front toe 1 inch longer than foot width
3. Radiographs showed delayed breakover and white line separation
4. After correcting toe length and adding breakover roll, abscesses resolved

FAQs About Hoof Trimming

Q: How often should my horse be trimmed?

A: Every 5–8 weeks, depending on growth rate and hoof wear.

Q: Do barefoot horses need shorter toes?

A: Not necessarily shorter, but they must be balanced to reduce strain on soft tissue.

Q: Can a long toe cause shoulder soreness?

A: Yes. Incorrect trim affects the entire limb and can lead to compensatory pain.

Conclusion

In 2025, proper hoof balance is more important than ever—especially as horses live longer and work across many disciplines. A small mistake like leaving the toe too long can have cascading effects on limb health, performance, and comfort. Don’t just assume the trim is correct—check the measurements yourself or consult your vet for a second opinion.

Need help assessing your horse’s hooves or current trim? Visit AskAVet.com or download our app 📱 to get expert feedback from Dr Duncan Houston and keep your horse sound from the ground up. 🩺🐴