And if they do develop a hoof condition, particularly one as serious as laminitis, they’re usually more challenging to rehabilitate." Notice that at the setup trim, the collateral groove at the apex of the frog is only about 1/8" deep and the sole in front of the frog goes flat. Movement stimulates blood flow to the hooves which, in turn, feeds the hooves with oxygen and essential nutrients. Doing this on thin soles rapidly cause numerous adverse effects from 'ouchiness' to Laminitis, and can even cause complete perforation of the coffin bone right down through the sole. Thin soles can be caused by a number of different factors, from diet to environment, to incorrect and damaging trimming of the horse's hooves. If a horse naturally has thin soles, there are different methods they can apply to help a horse to regain sole thickness depending on its environment. Gwenyth is available for freelance assignments, contract work and consulting. We ship worldwide. Etiology Or Cause I can find no published research into the etiology or cause of retracted soles. There are many reasons, all with various causes. There are excellent commercial products available for this purpose; some owners also find that Venice turpentine, 7% iodine, tea tree oil, and/or pine tar can be effective. The feet of these over-selected horses must be frequently balanced and shod with seated-out (beveled away from the sole), wide-webbed shoes to protect the sole from bruising and bearing weight. Examine the hooves of dam and sire before breeding. Horseshoes. • White line should be 1mm wide (an increase could indicate laminitis or white line disease). For the last 37+ years, she has maintained healthy hooves with natural trimming on thousands of horses and specialized in pathological rehabilitation hoofcare for the last 18 years. The ‘Thin Sole’ Dilemma 1 Horses should be able to routinely slam their hooves into tough ground and move at speed ... ironically put on to ‘protect’ thin soles), is arguably implicated in causing chronic thin soles through altered blood flow and lack of weight bearing stimulation. Having thin soles is similar to having thin fingernails; it makes the horse’s feet more vulnerable to … There is no point in trying to harden thin soles they need to grow thicker. This means hoof boots, such as Scoot Boots, when riding out on rough, hard or rocky terrain. Horses exposed to too many rocks without proper toughening of the soles. f. Small stones held around groove next to frog can make horse foot sore. First, you need to be sure that the soles are not being trimmed too thinly. Thin soled horses are at high risk for sole bruising and sub-solar abscess development. "A thin sole may be very concave or very flat," says the Sandgate, Vt., farrier. Those individuals do best if you leave front shoes on for winter, to get that foot up off the ground a little, to protect it from bruising.” Remember, though, that even well-shod horses can sustain bruises. Horses exposed to too many rocks without proper toughening of the soles. Victory Racing Plates. (Be sure to apply such dressings to the sole only, as they can burn skin or dry out the hoof wall.). Then, too, some horses are simply genetically predisposed to thin soles. Treatment. Thin soles commonly lead to painful hoof bruising and abscesses. If the condition isn’t diagnosed, horses are often uncomfortable walking around, especially on hard, abrasive surfaces, and some develop sole bruising. The result of these two simultaneous factors: most laminitic horses, even mild cases, have dangerously thin soles. [LEARN MORE: How to “read” your horse’s hooves. Examine the hooves of dam and sire before breeding. thin soles that have dried out. A good way to prevent further abrasion is the attachment “Thin-soled horses are a challenge,” says Ted Vlahos, DVM, MS, Dipl. The ankle/tendon boot (contains 30 magnets) fits extremely well and includes the entire ankle, a feature we especially liked since many horses with tendon/ligament problems have involvement at the level of the ankle as well. Stones and other objects can become trapped between them and the sole. • Sole grows nearly as much as the walls. If your horse’s soles are still thin and tender, then his healthy angles likely haven't been established from coronet to the ground, which can take time. SHOP THIS ARTICLE: You can pick up some supplies to help the thin soled horse here. Horses with flat feet, or no cup and lower arch, typically have thin soles, whereas feet with a higher arch or are more “cuppy” generally have better sole depth. Posted by Pat at 9:01 AM. The sole of the horse’s hoof is the main structure you can see when you lift up the hoof and look at it, and it’s a smooth area that’s generally concave in shape. Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot. Whether his soles are thin due to over-trimming, genetic predisposition, age or environmental factors, it’s important that hoof care professionals examine the conditions he’s in because they directly impact sole health. Causes of Thin Soles There are several reasons a horse might have (or would be predisposed to have) thin soles. Learn what can cause your horse’s thin, sensitive soles, plus what you can do to improve them and his overall hoof health. Constant paring of the horse’s sole, toe callus and bars compromises the integrity of the entire hoof, again allowing for further descent of an already weak attachment to the internal structures. But if it's been awhile, another factor to pay close attention to is diet. The lack of sufficient heel is just one of the reasons for thinning soles. I strongly recommend radiographic evaluation PRIOR to any foot trimming to determine the sole … The expansion then stretches and separates the white line area. Instead, horses with weak, rubbishy feet are the ones who can benefit most from growing a healthier, better balanced, stronger hoof. Horses need nice, thick, callused soles to protect their inner hoof. we had to reinforce the hoof walls with glue. Thin soles can be caused by over-trimming, and most practitioners now know not to try to trim an arch into a flat sole. Some horses are naturally born with poor conformation and may be predisposed to developing certain issues like soft or thin soles. Laminitis is just one of the problems that creates. He has pads put on with his shoes and that … The amount of moisture in … Posts: 13 • Horses: 0 Thin soles. There's so many horses with thin soles and that creates so many problems. Many must be padded to stay sound enough to endure athletic activity. If it appears to be more convex in shape, the horse may be walking on its sole rather than the hoof wall, and this can cause it to move unevenly. Toes that are left too long with heels that are trimmed too short are the perfect recipe for making of thin soles. Foal. Decreased circulation caused by inflammation, reduced hoof function, improper hoof mechanism and overall inadequate movement, all cause weakening of the lamina. Horses that previously we would have been scratching our heads along with the veterinarian as to the cause of the problem. Use this program to: Grow strong, tough hooves. When a bruised sole is discovered, the horse's shoes should be removed and the sole pared over the bruise to relieve weight-bearing pressure. Thin soles. Lameness is a key sign of thin horse soles. Lameness is a key sign of thin soles. Many natural barefoot trimmers and farriers are taught to always trim the soles to 'clean them up'. Thin soles and cracked hooves are common problems for thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. Join Date: May 2018. Most farriers and veterinarians recommend that a poultice and protective bandage is applied to thebruised area. Chanelpiesik. When the sole is too thin, this corium is bruised and damaged with disrupts to the normal growth of the sole. I soon realized that it was the sole that really needed protection and Hoof Armor became hoof sole protection. While rehabbing thin soles, it is imperative to offer the hoof enough protection. By breeding horses with these conformations we perpetuate these undesirable conditions. Lameness is a key sign of thin horse soles. This is a tough situation to remediate, but it can be done successfully with frequently careful backing up of the toes and leaving the heels to grow to where there's a good 2" (5cm) between the hairline in the back of the hoof to the ground. Hoof boots that provide support for the sole and frog of your horse's feet (such as these boots from Soft Ride) can help encourage the blood flow that leads to sole strengthening and growth. The corium is from where the sole originates. The horse in the radiograph (Figure 4) has a sole depth of just 6.5 mm. On the sixth day, God created the Quarter Horse. So, movement and diet go hand-in-hand, mouth-to-hoof. Thin soles can be caused by a number of different factors, from diet to environment, to incorrect and damaging trimming of the horse's hooves. ABVP, Equine Regent ABVP, of … The corrective shoeing is simple and may include a rim pad, leather pad , or soft pour-in pad. How can we help the hoof to grow thicker and more callused, comfortable soles? Lameness is a key sign of thin soles. Some horses have such inherently thin soles AND walls that the tiniest bit of wear takes away everything you could nail to. This horse suffers from thin soles. Thin, sensitive soles can put your horse’s feet at risk for bruising and abscesses. “If thin-soled or flat-footed horses have no shoes when they walk on the gravel, they may bruise. User; Horses . If you can flex your horse’s soles with your thumb, they are soft. Wet environments can overly soften the sole and contribute to thinning. Thin soled horses are at high risk for sole bruising and sub-solar abscess development. Horse & Hound speak to two riders who have used gel hoof fillers as the solution. what are your suggestions for dealing with thin soles on an older horse? The Horse Forum > Keeping and Caring for Horses > Horse Health > Hoof Care > Thin soles Reply. Softer soles due to wet need drying out so time out of wet everyday should help. Padding According to several vet friends, most “normal” horses have thin soles… 10mm is supposed to be average, but 6-8mm may be more “normal”. The healthy hoof will exfoliate itself as needed. Protection: If need be, consider extra protection for your horse’s thin soles, especially if your horse must travel over sand or gravel. 01327 314880. Consult a farrier to determine which product would be most effective for your horse's unique foot condition and your climate. If a horse naturally has thin soles, there are different methods they can apply to help a horse to regain sole thickness depending on its environment. 7 comments: lytha said... i am waiting for someone to say something about keralit (keratex in the US). Thirdly, make sure the trim is correct for the hoof-in-hand on the horse-in-hand. Pour-in Pad . Walking a horse barefoot on hard, smooth, clean tarred roads or driveways for 10-15 mins a day is the best conditioner there is for a horse's hooves. Hoof pads are used between the horseshoe and the base of the foot to protect the sole and to ease concussion and provide cushioning. Be that as it may, there are steps we can take to mitigate tender soles. But if it's been awhile, another factor to pay close attention to is diet. It should be obvious by this that the sole under P3 is very thin. Often flat soles and thin soles are inherited. Aluminium. Comfort boots worn during stabling can offer the same circulation-promoting function when they adequately support the sole and frog of the foot. Many natural barefoot trimmers and farriers are taught to always trim the soles to 'clean them up'. EC Queens ; Victory RX; Bonded; Victory Elite. Thin soles, those less than 3/8-inch thick, in particular need additional hardness protection. What causes thin soles and what can you do about it? When the hoof absorbs too much moisture, the hoof wall expands. In fact horses with thin soles and flat feet are not, as people sometimes think, the sorts of horses who "can't go barefoot". Genetics also play a factor in thin soles but with a good diet and movement, this can be altered for the better. Great for the relief of chronic pain or hoof sensitivity; rehabilitation from injuries, abscesses, navicular disease, laminitis / founder, punctures, sole bruising and contracted heels. – Bruised soles are sensitive. The most simple way to do this is to see that there is at least 1" (2.5cm) of depth from the heel platform/buttress down to the deepest part of the collateral groove there. how can i tell if my horse has thin soles? The horse is also uncomfortable without soles that are at least 5/8th - 3/4" (7mm - 1.9cm) thick and callused. We were able to offer some quick relief to a common problem. Whether due to genetics, nutrition, or conditions such as club feet, laminitis, and poor hoof balance, the horse with thin soles needs some help to prevent bruising and lameness. We rehab horses, donkeys and mules who come to us with hoof ailments. Firstly, it’s important to know, that the thinning of horse soles and the cracking of hooves is a very common problem for owners, trainers, farriers and veterinarians in Australia to deal with. Sole flexing by using thumb pressure around point of frog. My horse, John, suffers from thin soles, so I tried a soft, rubbery filler that didn t withstand the amount of work I was doing. Ride the horse on rough or hard terrain. Proof, if proof were needed, that thin soles and flat feet can be changed and improved. Hard soles are important to your horse’s overall hoof health. The advantages would be lighter, more flexible and nothing to fall off. The farrier has commented previously on her thin soles but it didn't cause much of an issue until now. In order to keep soles in healthy condition, hoof care professionals need to be familiar with the conditions the horse is kept in. Horse will flinch and pull foot away. I was treating the horse for very thin soles and separated laminae. To promote healing, the protective bandage is removed after 24 hours and replaced… • Heels need trimming regularly. We ship worldwide. Today I want to just share a bit about some of the other reasons that the horse’s sole might be thin. When these symptoms are prevalent, it’s important to examine the soles. If the condition isn’t diagnosed, horses are often uncomfortable walking, especially on hard, abrasive surfaces. Protective hoof pads are sometimes used for thin soled horses. e. Landing excessively heal first to protect thin sole in front part of foot. For extra help, see “Sole Solutions” at right. Pour-in pads have proven helpful both in providing protection and supporting the frog in a way that encourages blood flow, leading to more growth and a thicker, healthier sole. Two horses with sole pain and another with heel-pain syndrome did not respond. Thin bendable soles are usually linked to diet and/or an underlying metabolic condition. Then, too, some horses are simply genetically predisposed to thin soles. Symptoms of Thin Soles Lameness is a key sign of thin soles. Wet environments can overly soften the sole and contribute to thinning. Our protocol for resolving retracted soles has followed the recommendations of Dr Buff and worked quite well. Some develop sole bruising. Thin, sensitive soles can put your horse’s feet at risk for bruising and abscesses. “It can be difficult to guess sole depth when trimming horses,” says Amy Rucker, a Columbia, Mo., equine veterinarian. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission. But really - if your horse has any problems, the thickness of his soles is a small piece of the much larger puzzle. • Frog is usually wider than in the horse • Sole is U shaped with a flare to the heels. Your farrier or veterinarian should be consulted about the best methods to use with your horse. All tissues in the body respond to a good diet and especially the usual low sugar/starch, high fibre with good quality balancer. "Too-thin soles can’t support the structures above them, potentially leading to hoof wall flares, distortions, and imbalances. In fact, even though sand is 'soft', it is very abrasive, so even riding in soft sand requires protection to the soles of the hoof. Another common symptom of thin soles is shallow collateral grooves (the indentations of the hoof on either side of the frog). A variety of forages available 24/7/365 is the best diet for a horse. 5 Retracted sole appears most prevalent in the spring and fall months, when horses are frequently in muddy paddocks or pastures. Their soles are often flat and thin. If the condition isn’t diagnosed, horses are often uncomfortable walking, especially on hard, abrasive surfaces. For example when I first got my little paint mare her hoof walls were thinner at the lower end than the thickness of a standard horseshoe nail. Casting can provide sole protection and may help horses with thin soles Hoof Casting - Linda Cowles Hoof Care - www.healthyhoof.com Hoof Casts - Pete Ramey - www.hoofrehab.com. Hard ground in the summer can be tough going for horses with thin or sensitive soles. Ensure the 1/3:2/3rd ratio of the hoof (go here: http://www.barefoottrim.com/2012/EDUCATIONAL/Determining%20Placement%20of%20P3%20Within%20Capsule.pdf ) and learn how to assess the thickness of your horse's soles. It can easily take 1-2 months to recover from bad sole bruises, but with hardened soles and good care, many thin soled horses can do very well without shoes or even boots (we rarely put boots on our thin soled mare, even on rocky ground). She and her husband John keep a small herd of their own equine in NE Connecticut and continue to offer consults for horses in need. The first indication of this condition is shortening of your horse’s stride and his reluctance to be ridden over stony terrain. Our field seems to go from dust to mud - it was very dry a while ago and then we had absolutely torrential rain and I think this has played a part too. If your horse’s soles are still thin and tender, then his healthy angles likely haven't been established from coronet to the ground, which can take time. “Thin-soled horses are a challenge,” says Ted Vlahos, DVM, MS, Dipl. Unfortunately, some horses are "naturally" thin soled due to poor genetics and MUST be managed with shoes. How to Identify Thin Soles on a Horse. Additionally, the Trek Hoof Boot can easily be adjusted for close contact and snug fit to individual horse’s hooves. From my own exploratory research into retracted soles, hydrating the entire foot did not Thanks Riley for your expertise! Managing Soles Pour-in pads can help to protect the remaining sole and allow more sole to grow. According to several vet friends, most “normal” horses have thin soles… 10mm is supposed to be average, but 6-8mm may be more “normal”. – Genetic. Normal for most horses is … Whatever the cause of the thin soles, it is critical that you protect the thin-soled horse from bruising and excess abrasion during work, exercise and from hard or rocky terrain. Products we feature have been selected by our editorial staff. for thin soles, but in case of sole ulcers and other problems in the hind area/bulb area of the hoof (previous research). Just as you would not allow someone to come and shave off the thick callus of your bare feet, don't allow that to happen to your horse. Let's look briefly into each of these questions. All blog comments are checked prior to publishing, http://www.barefoottrim.com/2012/EDUCATIONAL/Determining%20Placement%20of%20P3%20Within%20Capsule.pdf. For more information click here. "It is usually the case that a concave foot with a thin sole will soon become a flat-soled foot as the structure of the foot fails. the horse’s already thin sole will be extremely close to the ground. – Genetic. Avoid excessive paring in thin soled horses to prevent severe pain in the horse's foot. If this condition is quickly reversed by veterinary intervention, competent farrier work and adequate changes to the diet, the horse can usually re-grow a perfect foot including a thick sole. 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