Help for Soft Soles in Equines

Soft soles on a horse can lead to pain and eventually training issues if they are making the horse uncomfortable. Some horses have naturally soft soles that do not develop calluses well. When horses have their shoes removed for the winter or because they will not be in work for a length of time, their soles may be soft and tender because they no longer have shoes for protection. Wet weather and soggy pasture conditions may also lead to soft soles when the soles are not able to dry out regularly. Soft soles can lead to bruising and abscesses.

  1. Shoes

    • Have a farrier put steel shoes on the hoof. This will elevate the foot slightly off the ground and reduce contact between the ground and the horse's sole, eliminating the pain from stepping on hard ground with soft soles. Shoeing a horse will not harden soft soles, but it will take away any discomfort caused by the soft soles. When the shoes are taken off and the horse is once again barefoot, soreness may reoccur.

    Topical Treatments

    • Because soft soles on equines is a fairly common problem, various manufacturers have products that can be applied directly to the sole at regular intervals to help harden them. These can be found in tack shops and farm-supply stores. Other commonly available substances that can help harden hooves include Venice turpentine and iodine, both of which can be applied to the sole with a paintbrush.

    Boots

    • There are a number of commercially available boots on the market. Boots protect the horse's sole with a rubber base and most cover the hoof wall area as well. Unlike nailing shoes onto the horse's hooves, boots can be taken on and off of the horse as often as required by the handler. Horse boots are manufactured to be size specific so it is important to measure the hoof prior to purchasing these.

    Gradual Adjustment

    • Gradually toughening up a horse's soles can be done by slowly introducing the horse to harder ground over a period of weeks. Add gravel to a 6-foot area surrounding the animal's water trough. This will require the horse to step on the uncomfortable ground multiple times per day for short periods each time it drinks. As a result it will slowly help callous the soles and harden them so that the uncomfortable sensation the horse experiences on hard ground gradually fades.