How to Deal with a Hoof Flare

"Hoof flare" is caused by stretching of the white line (laminae) in a horse's hoof. This tough fibrous tissue connects the hoof horn to the interior bone structure of the foot. Inflammation of the laminae (laminitis) can cause separation of the hoof wall and coffin bone, causing the hoof wall to flare outward. If left untreated, hoof flare continues to put strain on the weakened laminae, hampering recovery and leading to possible joint issues as the horse compensates for the pain in its feet. Natural hoof care protocol has a solution.

Things You'll Need

  • Hoof nippers
  • Hoof rasp
  • Sanding block
  • Gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean out the horse's hoof, exposing the stretched white line (which will be feathery and blackened with dirt). Set the edge of the nippers just to the outside of where the sole of the foot meets the edge of the compromised laminae (inside the white line). Start at the toe and remove flared hoof growth by cutting through the white line and hoof wall at a 45-degree angle away from the sole.

    • 2

      Trim around the hoof from toe to heel, continuing to cut at a 45-degree angle through the stretched white line. Look for where the white line becomes narrow and tight, often at or just behind the quarters (the broadest part of the hoof) or nearly at the heels. Cut just to the outside of a tight white line, as a thin, tight line indicates unstretched laminae, which should be left intact.

    • 3

      Trim or rasp heels level with the sole in the heel area (the seats of the corns). Rasp the cut edge of the hoof to remove any roughness and present a smooth 45-degree bevel.

    • 4

      Bring the horse's foot forward onto a hoof stand or your knee so that you're looking at the outside of the hoof instead of the bottom. Apply a standard "mustang roll" by rasping a smooth transition between the beveled cut and the hoof wall surface. Use the fine side of the hoof rasp to further smooth the hoof edge; then use the sanding block to help "tamp" the hoof fibers and prevent raveling or chipping.

    • 5

      Repeat this "strong mustang roll"-type trim every three to four weeks until the hoof flare has grown out and the white line shows no sign of stretching. Avoid trimming or rasping into the white line once damaged laminae have grown out.