How to Treat a Low Heel on an Equine

A "low heel" can be debilitating and painful for a horse. Also known as a crushed heel or collapsed heel, it alters the way a horse moves and can make him sore or lame. Treating a low heel takes time, as corrective trimming, dedicated hoof growth and proper nutrition all must come together to correct the heel. Often a horse that has a low heel also grows a long toe of the hoof, pushing his center of balance back on the heel. With corrective shoeing and daily care, your horse can be sound and comfortable.

  1. Corrective Trimming

    • Choose a farrier who is specialized in working with horses that have problem hooves. A good farrier can correctly diagnose and trim your horse, being careful to trim enough toe away that the horse redistributes his weight more on his sole and less on his heel. Your farrier should come and trim your horse every six to eight weeks to monitor growth and continue healthy hoof and heel development.

    Corrective Shoeing

    • Putting shoes on your horse will help lift his hoof off the ground and take pressure off his heel, allowing it to correct itself and grow. Your farrier will need to trim and shoe your horse on a regular schedule to ensure the toe does not grow too long and therefore press the heel down toward the ground. A farrier might add small borium studs to the heel of the shoe to give your horse slightly more lift off the ground. A shoe that fits your horse correctly is essential, as a too-small shoe can cause a low heel.

    Wedge Pad

    • Your farrier may decide to add a wedge pad underneath your horse's shoe. Also called a degree pad, a wedge pad is a hard plastic pad that covers the sole and frog. It is thinner at the toe and gradually gets thicker toward the heel of the hoof. A wedge pad lifts the heel off the ground significantly. A farrier may choose to customize the wedge pad by covering only the toe, frog and heel to allow the heel to catch up with the frog's growth.

    Ongoing Maintenance

    • Daily care of a horse that has a low heel is essential to his soundness. Inspect his hooves daily and clean them thoroughly with a hoof pick. Applying strengthening hoof oil can develop healthy growth. Consider adding a hoof supplement to your horse's feed to strengthen his hooves and horn structure from the inside out. Ask your veterinarian to inspect your horse's hooves during scheduled exams to ensure that your farrier's hoof care and your veterinarian's health care are working together in the best interest of your horse.