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Best Foot Forward (Guide to hoof conformation)

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Best Foot Forward

A farrier's advice on choosing a horse with good foot conformation

First I would stress that you should always have a horse vetted before purchase, which will include the vet checking the horse's feet. If, however, you are able to assess the feet yourself you can avoid wasting a vetting fee on a horse with an obvious foot problem. You will also be able to pick out any minor faults which you may be worried about, which you can ask your vet to check out. It is also worth considering asking your farrier to have a look at a prospective purchase for you. Most farriers are amenable to this - after all they will end up doing the repair work if you buy a horse with terrible feet. Look for defects in the horn of the hoof - the lines running down from the coronary band should be parallel to each other. If the lines curve at the heel this can indicated weakness in this area and may indicate the horse's inability to grow strong heels, which in turn can precipitate a number of foot problems. Any irregularity in the horn growth may indicate a change in the horse's diet or perhaps a previous illness. Minor cracks in the horn are not likely to cause a problem, but if there are prominent sandcracks this would be a point to check with your vet.

How is the horse shod at the moment - is he

Diagrams showing hoof balance (56kb)

I would start by checking that the horse's feet are two matching pairs - that is that both front feet are the same shape and size as each other, and the same is true of the hind feet. If the feet do not match, this may be because one is a club foot, or that the foot is damaged in some way.

The next thing is to ensure the feet are balanced and in proportion. A balanced foot has:

  • A symmetrical appearance
  • Heels which are neither too far apart or too close together
  • A flowing shape
  • A toe to heel ratio of 3 to 1

Another important point is what is called the hoof-pastern axis. This means that in a good foot seen from the side you should be able to draw a straight line from the centre of the fetlock joint through the pastern and the centre of the hoof. In addition, if a perpendicular line is dropped from the centre of the coronary band there should be equal amount of foot in front and behind the line.

Two common faults are straight feet and flat feet. In a straight foot, the toe to heel ratio is less than 3 to 1 and the foot is longer than it is wide. In a flat foot, on the other hand, the toe to heel ratio is greater than 3 to 1 and the foot is wider than it is long. A slightly straight or flat foot on its own is not a great problem, but a extreme straight or flat foot should be avoided.

Check that the feet point straight forward - not inwards or outwards. Either of these deviations can lead to problems in the horses action, such as dishing or plaiting. Also look for signs of brushing, which will show as scuff marks on the hoof wall.

When you pick the foot up, see whether the soles are nice and concave. If not, this means the soles are flat and low, which lessens the effectiveness of the foot's shock absorption mechanism. To see whether the soles are thin, try prodding the sole with your thumb - if it gives easily then the soles are thin and are liable to bruising and damage. If the horse has dropped soles this may be a result of laminitis. Abnormal wear in heel area of the shoe may also be a sign as the horse transfers weight from the painful toe to the heel. Whilst you are holding the foot up, check that the frog is healthy and prominent. Feet with contracted frogs should be avoided.

 wearing surgical shoes of some sort - bar shoes, broad webs, raised heels etc., or is he wearing concussion pads. If so, ask why. Has the horse been well shod? Whilst a good farrier can correct a foot which has been left with the toe too long, if the horse has been shod in this way for several years it may be more difficult to correct. If you are unsure whether a foot is unbalanced due to poor shoeing or not, it is best to consult your farrier.

The best way to learn about feet, however, is to look at as many different horses as possible. Compare the shapes and sizes and note whether the horses have any history of foot problems. Whilst you can be told what to look out for, only experience can give you an eye for a good foot.

One other factor to bear in mind is the work that the horse will be required to do. For example, a three day eventer will need exemplary feet to stand up to the hard work that will be required of it. Any weakness in the foot is likely to precipitate lameness in the long term if placed under a great deal of stress. For a leisure horse, however, doing mainly gentle hacking and very little jumping, a minor fault is much less likely to cause problem. The nature of terrain in your area should also be considered - a horse with thin soles is going to have difficulty coping with flinty bridleways.

Once you find a paragon of a horse with perfect feet, you should make sure you keep them well-maintained. You should check with the owner the date of the last shoeing and find out how often the horse is shod, so you can continue with the same routine. Never leave the horse too long between shoeings - it is a false economy as unbalanced feet can lead to lameness, resulting in hefty vet's bills. Similarly, make sure you choose a good farrier, even if it means paying a little extra - looking after your horse's feet well is a wise investment.