🩺 Vet Tips 2025: How Healthy Hooves Support Arthritic Joints in Horses 🐎🦶

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions in horses, especially those in active work or advanced in age. While medications and supplements can help, the key to comfort often starts at the ground level—literally. In this 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston explains how hoof care directly impacts arthritis management, and what you can do to make life easier for your arthritic horse. 🐾

🧠 Understanding Equine Arthritis and Biomechanics

Equine arthritis typically involves the degeneration of cartilage and inflammation within joints, especially in the hocks, knees, pasterns, and coffin joints. 🦴 As pain develops, horses alter their gait to compensate. This shortened stride shifts biomechanical stress, often increasing strain in other joints or structures. 🏇

One of the most overlooked aspects of arthritis management is hoof mechanics. Improper trimming or shoeing can exacerbate pain, while correct methods can significantly reduce impact forces and improve movement. 💡

🔧 How Trimming Affects Joint Pain

Trimming the hoof to balance weight distribution and support natural movement is crucial. Let’s look at why:

• 📐 A balanced hoof helps align the bones above it, reducing torque and uneven pressure on arthritic joints
• ⚖️ Uneven hooves shift weight abnormally, often increasing stress on inflamed areas
• 🧬 Proper trim supports the frog, increasing shock absorption and circulation

If the coronary band appears asymmetrical, it could signal hoof imbalance. The overloaded side of the hoof may show reduced growth, leading to long-term structural changes. 🛑

🦶 Breakover and Rolling the Toe

Breakover refers to the point when the hoof lifts off the ground during a stride. For arthritic horses, easier breakover is key:

• 🔁 Rolling the toe shortens breakover time
• ⬇️ Reduces strain on the deep digital flexor tendon and coffin joint
• ✅ Encourages smoother, more fluid movement

This is especially beneficial for horses with arthritis in the pastern or coffin joints. Farriers can bevel the toe or use specific shoes to enhance breakover mechanics. 🔩

🧲 Shoeing Materials Matter

Today’s shoeing options go beyond traditional steel. For arthritic horses, the right material can dampen impact and improve comfort:

• 🔹 Rubber or polyurethane pads – reduce concussion
• 🪵 Soft inserts – helpful for sore soles or navicular syndrome
• ⚙️ Bar shoes – provide heel support and prevent collapsing structures

💡 But remember: improper shoeing can worsen lameness. Always collaborate with your vet and farrier when making changes. 🧠

🛏️ Heel Support and Balance

Correct heel support distributes pressure across the back of the foot. But what does this mean?

• 🧼 The heel should be trimmed to the base of the frog, not beyond
• 📉 Excessive heel elevation (e.g., wedge pads) can increase pressure inside the coffin joint
• 🧍 Proper heel balance reduces tension in tendons and ligaments

Maintaining a flat, supportive heel improves shock absorption and eases the load on stiff joints. 🐾

🌱 Soft Surfaces = Less Pain

Concussion—or the shock from each hoof strike—is a major trigger for arthritic pain. Choosing the right surface for exercise or turnout can help:

Best Surfaces for Arthritic Horses

• 🌿 Soft sand or loam – ideal for reducing impact
• 🌾 Well-cushioned arena footing – custom blends available
• 🌳 Natural turf with give – excellent for long walks

Surfaces to Avoid

• 🧱 Asphalt or concrete – extremely high concussion
• 🔩 Hard-packed dirt – can be just as unforgiving as pavement

Where possible, allow turnout in a soft paddock or sand arena. Even 30–60 minutes a day can help circulation and reduce stiffness. 🧘‍♂️

🧬 Flexion Awareness in Arthritic Horses

When handling or grooming an arthritic horse, especially when lifting legs, be conscious of their range of motion:

• 🧍‍♀️ Support the limb and avoid hyperextension
• 📉 Keep movement minimal when picking up the leg
• 🩺 Veterinarians perform flexion tests during lameness exams to assess pain and range

Reducing stress during daily routines can make a big difference in comfort and long-term joint preservation. 🙌

📆 Routine Matters: Consistency Over Intensity

For horses with joint conditions, regular, low-impact activity is better than intense, irregular workouts. Here’s an ideal weekly example:

• Mon: 20-minute hand walk on grass
• Tues: Light lunge on soft footing (5–10 mins)
• Wed: Grooming & stretching session
• Thurs: Gentle trail ride with hills
• Fri: Off or turnout
• Sat: Short ride in arena with breakover support shoes
• Sun: Long walk, assess any inflammation

Monitor for signs of soreness after each session. Early detection is key to adjusting before a flare-up occurs. 🧠

🛠️ Working With Your Farrier and Vet

The best hoof care plan for arthritic horses involves open communication between your veterinarian and farrier. Here’s how to make that teamwork effective:

• 📸 Share images or videos of the horse moving
• 📂 Provide the vet with previous lameness records
• 📝 Get a written shoeing recommendation from your vet
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to consult remotely when on-site visits aren’t possible

📲 How Ask A Vet Helps Arthritic Horses

If you’re unsure about your horse’s hoof balance, shoe type, or pain management plan, Ask A Vet is here for you. 🐴 With the Ask A Vet app, you can connect with equine vets like Dr Duncan Houston who can:

• 📊 Review hoof images and shoe fit
• 🩻 Help interpret flexion test results
• 💬 Advise on trimming/shoeing for arthritis

Download the Ask A Vet app today to build your care team—starting at the hoof. 🦶💙

🏁 Final Thoughts: The Hoof-Joint Connection

Whether your horse is aging gracefully or recovering from years of intense sport, healthy hooves are a cornerstone of arthritis relief. With the right trimming techniques, supportive shoeing, and soft terrain, you can significantly reduce pain and improve your horse’s comfort and mobility. 🧠

🐾 From breakover angles to frog support, every detail matters. Stay proactive, work with your farrier and vet, and trust expert tools like Ask A Vet to guide your decisions.

💬 Need help planning the next farrier visit? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to get personalized advice from veterinarians like Dr Duncan Houston. Your arthritic horse deserves a pain-free path forward. 🐎💙