🐎 Subsolar Bruising in Horses: Treatment & Prevention for 2025 🦶🧴

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Hoof health is a critical part of keeping horses sound and pain-free. One of the most common hoof-related issues encountered in equine practice is subsolar bruising—a painful condition that can cause lameness and long-term hoof sensitivity if not addressed properly. In 2025, with evolving hoof care science, we now understand how to treat this condition more effectively and avoid common mistakes. 🐴🧠

🧩 What Is Subsolar Bruising?

Subsolar bruising refers to internal trauma or bleeding within the sole of the hoof, typically resulting from pressure, impact, or structural weakness. While sometimes mistaken for an abscess, bruising doesn’t typically involve pus or infection—it’s internal inflammation and damage. 💥🦶

🚨 Causes of Subsolar Bruising

Several factors can lead to bruising beneath the hoof sole:

• 🪨 Working on hard, rocky, or uneven terrain
• 🔧 Incorrect shoeing or trimming too short
• 🐎 Horses with flat feet or thin soles
• 🚿 Overexposure to moisture, especially in show horses

Importantly, the sole is not designed to bear weight, so any pressure in this area can trigger bruising—particularly in horses with weak hoof structure or improper farrier work. 📉

🔍 Clinical Signs

You might suspect subsolar bruising if your horse shows:

• 🦶 Sensitivity or lameness in one or both front hooves
• 📉 Poor performance or reluctance to work on hard ground
• 🛑 Shortened stride, especially when barefoot
• 👣 Heat in the hoof or a reaction to hoof testers

Severe bruises can mimic an abscess in how they present—but the treatment approach is very different. ⚠️

🛠️ Old Advice vs New Science

For years, the go-to treatment for bruising was soaking the hoof to “draw out” inflammation. But now, we know this is the wrong approach. According to equine podiatrist Dr. Steve O’Grady:

• 🚿 Soaking for more than 2–3 days softens the sole
• 💧 Moisture weakens hoof protection and prolongs healing

Over-bathing—especially in show horses—leads to weakened hoof walls and thin soles, increasing bruising risk. 🧽❌

🧴 Modern Treatment for 2025

✅ Step 1: Dry, Controlled Environment

• 🛌 Place horse in a dry stall to allow the sole to harden
• 🚫 Avoid excessive exposure to mud, baths, or wet bedding

✅ Step 2: Toughen the Sole

• 🧴 Use formalin or iodine-based sole hardeners
• 📆 Apply topically 1–2 times daily for up to 7 days

These products reinforce the outer layer of the sole, offering better resistance to pressure and impact. 🛡️

✅ Step 3: Supportive Shoeing (if needed)

• 🔧 Use hoof pads or wide-web shoes to offload the sole
• 🧰 Consider pour-in materials that cushion without adding pressure

A farrier with therapeutic shoeing experience is essential for this step. 👨‍🔧

❌ What NOT to Do

Do not treat bruising like an abscess. Common mistakes include:

• 🔪 Cutting into the sole with a hoof knife to “release pressure”
• 🛁 Repeated soaking beyond 2 days
• 🚿 Bathing show horses without drying hooves properly

These mistakes increase pain, invite infection, and delay healing. ❌⛔

⏳ Recovery Timeline

Healing depends on the severity of the bruise and the horse’s hoof structure. Typical recovery:

• 📅 Minor bruise: 3–7 days
• 🧊 Moderate bruise: 2–4 weeks
• 🦵 Deep bruise or repeated trauma: 6+ weeks, with supportive shoeing

Continued turnout on hard ground will slow progress. Rest and stall confinement may be required. 📉

🧠 Prevention Strategies

To prevent subsolar bruising:

• 🧰 Maintain proper shoeing for the horse’s conformation
• 🥾 Use boots or pads for hard surface riding
• 🧼 Limit hoof soaking—bathe horses on dry, solid footing
• 🦶 Harden soles in vulnerable horses with topical agents

Flat-footed and thin-soled horses may benefit from regular sole support even without symptoms. 🧱

📲 Ask A Vet for Hoof Support

If your horse shows signs of sole sensitivity or chronic bruising, visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can guide you through diagnostics, product recommendations, and treatment planning for tender feet and sole bruises. 🧠💬

🏁 Final Thoughts

Subsolar bruising is painful but preventable. In 2025, hoof care science emphasizes dry environments, topical strengthening, and supportive shoeing—not soaking and cutting. Recognize the signs early, use updated treatments, and don’t delay recovery by following outdated advice. 🧠❤️

Need help with hoof health? Visit AskAVet.com for expert help on sole bruises and more 🐎🦶