🦶 Vet Guide to Examining Your Horse’s Feet | 2025 Hoof Health and Laminitis Warning Signs 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Your horse’s feet are the foundation of their health and soundness. While farriers and veterinarians play key roles in hoof care, every horse owner should know how to visually inspect a hoof for early warning signs of disease or injury. 🧠🩺

In this 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through how to examine your horse’s feet like a pro—from hoof wall shape and rings to frog alignment and coronary band health. Let’s give your horse a solid base to stand on. 🐴🦶

🔍 Start with the Dorsal Hoof Wall

The **dorsal hoof wall** is the front-facing surface of the hoof that runs from the **coronary band** to the **toe**. Ideally, this line should be straight and smooth. Any deviation or concavity here is cause for closer examination. 🧭👁️

⚠️ Common Issues You Might See:

• 🔻 **Concave dorsal wall** – often indicates chronic or past laminitis
• 📉 **Flatter-than-normal sole** – typically seen with laminitic changes
• 🧱 **Bulge at the coronary band** – may signal bony changes in the coffin bone (buttress foot)

If the hoof wall surface is **concave** instead of straight, and the sole appears flat, this strongly suggests a history of **laminitis**—especially if the rings are uneven or warped. 📉🔥

⚠️ Coronary Band: What’s Swelling Telling You?

The **coronary band** is the ridge where the hoof wall meets the hairline. This is where new hoof growth originates—and where swelling can tell you a lot about deeper hoof problems. 👃🧠

🩺 Key Indicators to Watch:

• 🌡️ **Localized swelling & heat** – often a hoof abscess about to rupture
• 🦵 **Swelling extending up the pastern** – likely soft tissue infection
• 🔄 **Swelling encircling the coronary band** – may suggest **coffin joint** infection

Even mild inflammation at the coronary band should not be ignored—it may be the first outward sign of a brewing problem. 🔬⏳

🌀 Hoof Rings: The Growth Story in Stripes

Those horizontal lines you see on the hoof wall are **growth rings** or “stress rings.” While they’re often normal, the angle and spacing of these rings reveal whether hoof growth is even. 🧪📏

✅ Normal Rings:

• 🟢 Even spacing from coronary band to toe
• 📐 Parallel on both sides of the hoof

⚠️ Abnormal Rings:

• 🔺 Wider near heel or toe = uneven growth
• ↘️ Slanted rings = pressure imbalance, trimming issues, or laminitis flare

If the rings show distortion or unevenness, it often reflects **mechanical imbalance** or **uneven trimming**—and it’s time to call your vet or farrier. ⚠️🛠️

🦶 Picking Up the Foot: What to Look for on the Sole

The **bottom of the foot** reveals as much—if not more—than the outer hoof wall. Every owner should regularly pick up and inspect their horse’s feet. 🔎🧤

📋 Sole & Frog Checklist:

• 🧩 Front foot should be roughly as long as it is wide
• ⚖️ Widest part of the hoof should be at 50% of its total length
• 🟣 The frog should be wide, firm, and centrally aligned
• 📉 Sole should be concave—not flat
• 🧼 No foul odor or black mush (indicates thrush)

When the sole is flat or the frog is overly recessed or mushy, hoof support is compromised. This increases the risk of bruising, laminitis, or poor circulation. 🚫🧱

📐 Hoof Shape: Balance Is Everything

Each foot is unique, but general symmetry matters. Compare left and right hooves—differences may signal lameness, limb loading issues, or shoeing problems. 🧭👟

👁️ Key Balance Markers:

• 📏 Equal heel height on both sides
• 📐 Medial-lateral symmetry (view from behind)
• 📦 Straight hoof-pastern axis

If your horse’s feet are **narrow**, **contracted**, or have crushed heels, your farrier may need to rebalance or adjust the trimming schedule. 🛠️🧠

📲 Ask A Vet for Hoof Health Support

Use the Ask A Vet app to:

• 📸 Upload photos of hoof concerns
• 📅 Get reminders for hoof exams and trims
• 📊 Log changes in shape, rings, or sole condition
• 🩺 Ask about laminitis risks or frog infections

Expert hoof support is just a click away, whether you’re managing a chronic condition or doing a simple check-in. 🐴📱

✅ Quick Checklist: Examining Your Horse’s Foot

• 📏 Dorsal wall should be straight from coronary band to toe
• ⚠️ Concave wall or flat sole may mean laminitis
• 🔥 Swelling at the coronary band can signal abscess or infection
• 📐 Rings should be even and parallel
• 🦶 Frog should be wide and healthy—not recessed or foul-smelling
• ⚖️ Front foot should be as long as it is wide, with the widest part at mid-length

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Your horse’s feet hold more clues to their health than you might think. A few minutes spent inspecting the hoof wall, sole, and frog can prevent weeks—or months—of recovery. 🧠🦶💪

If you see anything abnormal, contact your vet or use the Ask A Vet app to get answers fast. Sound feet start with sharp eyes. 🐎📱