🐴 Using X-rays During Hoof Trimming: Smarter Farrier Care in 2025 🦶📸

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Trimming a horse’s hooves is one of the most essential aspects of equine care—and while experienced farriers do amazing work, there are times when X-rays (radiographs) can help take hoof balance and alignment to the next level. In 2025, radiographic imaging is a critical tool for diagnosing issues like founder, navicular disease, and long toe-low heel syndrome—ensuring horses are not only trimmed safely, but set up for better performance. 🧠🐎

🦶 Why Domestic Horses Need Trimming

Unlike wild horses, domestic horses are not constantly roaming and wearing down their hooves naturally. Instead, they stand, rest, and work in controlled environments—making regular hoof care essential. 📆

• 📏 Trimming is generally needed every 6–8 weeks
• 🪶 Frequency may vary based on discipline, turnout, and hoof growth

Without routine trimming, the hoof can become imbalanced, leading to strain on joints, tendons, and ligaments—and potentially contributing to lameness. 🚫

🔍 When X-rays Are Most Helpful

For most healthy horses, a skilled farrier can assess hoof balance by sight and touch. However, radiographs are invaluable in cases involving:

• 🦴 Founder (laminitis)
• 🔽 Low heels and long toes
• ⚖️ Navicular disease or heel pain syndrome
• 🚶 Chronic tripping, stumbling, or short-strided movement

Even the best-trained farrier can’t see inside the hoof capsule. X-rays give a clear view of:

• 📐 Bone angles and position
• 🧩 Rotation or sinking of the coffin bone
• 🔧 Excessive toe length or heel underrun

This allows farriers and vets to work together to safely adjust hoof balance without over-trimming or risking injury. 🤝

📸 Benefits of Radiographs in Trimming

✅ Better Toe Breakover

Long toes delay breakover and add strain to soft tissues. X-rays allow the toe to be trimmed back safely without encroaching on sensitive structures. ⏱️🦶

✅ Safer Heel Management

Underrun heels are common in many breeds. X-rays show whether lowering the heel would improve alignment or cause tendon strain. 📉

✅ Improved Lameness Prevention

Even horses that trip or stumble slightly may benefit from radiographic-guided trimming to correct foot angles and balance. 🎯

🐴 Founder and X-ray-Guided Trimming

In laminitic or foundered horses, coffin bone rotation or sinking makes blind trimming extremely risky. X-rays are the only way to:

• 📍 Identify coffin bone position
• 🔁 Plan a realignment trim to re-balance the hoof capsule
• 🛠️ Guide farrier application of therapeutic shoes or boots

Without imaging, improper trimming can worsen pain, cause sole penetration, or increase lameness. 🚨

👣 Correcting the “Long Toe-Low Heel” Problem

One of the most common hoof issues—especially in sport horses—is the combination of a long toe and under-run heel. This alignment:

• 🧱 Delays breakover
• 🧵 Increases strain on the deep digital flexor tendon
• 🦴 Can exacerbate navicular pain or fetlock pressure

With X-rays, farriers can trim the toe safely and determine how much heel support is needed. 🎯

📊 Performance Benefits

Many horses that trip or stumble during work improve dramatically with radiograph-guided trims and proper hoof angles. Improved biomechanics = better movement, fewer injuries, and enhanced comfort. 🏇

🧠 Work With Your Farrier and Vet

Teamwork is essential. Ask your vet to provide lateral hoof radiographs, then share them with your farrier. Many clinics offer mobile X-ray units, making in-barn evaluations fast and easy. 📸🤝

📲 Ask A Vet for Hoof X-ray Review

If your horse has a history of lameness, tripping, or hoof pain—or you just want a better trim—visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App for expert X-ray evaluation and trimming advice. 📱🐎

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can assess radiographs, collaborate with your farrier, and recommend trimming adjustments for long-term soundness. 🧠💬

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, hoof trimming is more precise than ever—thanks to diagnostic imaging. Whether your horse is sound or sore, X-rays can help your farrier trim with confidence, improve comfort, and prevent future problems. 📉🧠

Need a hoof angle checkup? Visit AskAVet.com and give your farrier the X-ray advantage 🐴📸