Horse Foot Diseases

The old proverb, “no hoof, no horse” is certainly apt, and horse owners need to do everything possible to protect their horses’ feet from injuries and hoof ailments. Unlike dogs and cats, horses are unable to get around on three legs for long. The unique structure of the equine foot and the uneven weight distribution creates severe stress on the joints, and in many cases horses who suffer debilitating hoof diseases must be put down. Recognizing the symptoms of common hoof ailments is the best defense against this tragic situation.

  1. Navicular Disease

    • Navicular disease is a serious affliction of the equine foot that can cause severe lameness. The disease starts with inflammation of the area between the navicular bone and the tendon of the foot. While navicular disease can affect all horses, it is most common in horses with poor front leg conformation. Horses competing in Western Pleasure, roping and cutting events also tend to have a higher incidence of navicular disease, as do some quarter horses with small feet and large bodies.

      Horses with navicular disease tend to place the toes of their feet on the ground first to avoid placing weight on the more sensitive areas affected by the disease. Horse owners, especially owners of horses prone to the disease, should watch their animals’ movement closely for signs of early navicular. If this disease is suspected, prompt veterinary care is essential. With proper treatment and corrective shoeing, many horses can live relatively normal lives for many years.

    Founder

    • Founder is another common equine foot disease, but this condition is most often seen in the spring, when horses who have been off of grass all winter are suddenly turned out on lush, green pastures. Founder can be caused by overeating, and horses can founder by overindulging on either pasture or grain. Horse owners should be careful when turning their horses out in the pasture, particularly if those horses are not accustomed to grazing for long periods of time. Putting the horse out for a few hours a day and restricting grass intake with a grazing muzzle are good preventative measures.

      Founder is also called laminitis, and it is caused by inflamation and swelling inside the feet of the horse. Horses suffering from laminitis often appear to be walking on eggshells as they try to avoid putting weight on severely painful feet. If founder is suspected, the horse owner should immediately call the vet. When quickly and properly treated, some horses can recover from founder. Others are more severely affected.

    Thrush

    • Thrush is distinguished mainly by the foul odor emanating from the bottom of the hoof, and in more advanced cases by a foul pus coming out of the hoof itself. If left untreated, this disease can eat away at the fragile frog, an important structure in the equine foot. If the frog damaged or destroyed, the horse can become quite lame. In some cases treatment can reverse the damage, but if the thrush progresses too far, permanent lameness can result.

      Thrush is primarily caused by unclean conditions, with horses allowed to stand in mud and manure for long periods of time most susceptible. Horse owners can fight this disease by practicing good stall and paddock hygiene and by regularly checking their horses’ feet. If thrush is suspected, a number of effective topical remedies are available that can be applied directly to the bottom of the horse’s foot. These remedies are found at tack shops and feed stores.