Top 10 Hoof Issues
for Horse Owners

Thrush is the most common hoof infection — a bacterial invasion of the frog's grooves that produces black, foul-smelling discharge. Entirely preventable, easily treated when caught early, and potentially serious if ignored.

White line disease (seedy toe) is a fungal and bacterial invasion of the white line zone where hoof wall meets sole. It can silently undermine and separate large sections of hoof wall before the horse ever shows lameness.

Laminitis (and its advanced form, founder) is inflammation of the sensitive laminae — one of the most serious and painful hoof conditions a horse can develop. It demands immediate veterinary attention, and fast recognition of the symptoms changes everything.

Navicular syndrome is degeneration of the navicular bone and surrounding structures — a leading cause of chronic forelimb lameness in performance horses. It is manageable for years with the right farrier and veterinary team and correct shoeing.

Cracked hooves range from superficial grass cracks to deep quarter cracks that bleed and cause lameness. All six crack types explained, with farrier repair techniques, infection management, and how to prevent splits and chips from returning.

A hoof abscess causes sudden, severe lameness from a pocket of pressure-building infection trapped inside the hoof. One of the most dramatic yet most treatable causes of acute foot pain — a horse can go sound to three-legged lame overnight.

Contracted heels are a progressive narrowing of the heel region — a hidden root cause of chronic thrush, abscesses, navicular syndrome, and poor performance. Often reversible with patient farrier rehabilitation over 9–18 months.

Thin soles (flat feet) leave inadequate sole depth between the coffin bone and the ground, causing bruising and footiness on hard or rocky terrain. Common in Thoroughbreds and post-laminitis horses, and manageable with correct farrier protection and a long-term sole-building strategy.

Canker (proliferative pododermatitis) is an abnormal overgrowth of frog tissue that looks and smells like thrush but is the opposite disease — and far more serious. Frequently misdiagnosed; needs coordinated farrier and veterinary treatment.

Scratches — also called mud fever, greasy heel, or dew poisoning — is scabby, crusty inflammation on the back of the pastern driven by the wet-mud cycle. Easy to clear early, stubborn once chronic. Cleaning, treatment, and prevention.