Summer Footing and Lameness in Horses

How Heat, Hard Ground, and Hoof Stress  Increase Injury Risk

Heat seems to exacerbate everything: tempers, stress, and hooves. While lameness in general increases over the hot, summer months, much of this increase is related to hard footing and hoof health. As temperatures rise, moisture in the ground evaporates more quickly,  resulting in hard, dry conditions. Consequently, hard footing  increases concussion force to the hooves, causing “increased shock traveling through the hoof and limb, which can lead to  bruising, soreness, and joint stress,” according to Madi Young,  DVM, with Carter Veterinary Services. 

Common Summer Injuries 

Unfortunately, notes Dr. Young, these are typically the months when sport horses are most active, resulting in an increased  incidence of sports medicine injuries throughout the sum mer. Common injuries during the summer months include:

• Bruised soles 

• Hoof cracks 

• Tendon and ligament strain from deep footing

• Bacterial infections from warm, wet conditions 

Alternating Wet and Dry Conditions 

While dry, hard footing and terrain are major concerns, problems arising from summer footing do not stop there. problems arising from summer footing do not stop there. Thenature of a horse’s hoof is to expand and contract according to the amount of moisture in its environment. In the summer, when the environment dries more quickly, this can become problematic due to rapidly alternating wet and dry cycles.

During dry conditions, “hoof walls become brittle, causing vertical cracks around the quarter and toe. It can cause shoes to loosen more easily. Alternating wet and dry cycles can weaken hoof walls as they soften and then dry and tighten rapidly.”

Dr. Young asserts that these conditions can weaken the structural integrity of the foot, increasing the risk of bacteria from mud causing issues such as thrush and white line disease. 

Summer Footing

With regard to footing, both hard, dry footing and deep, wet footing can create problems. Both can cause strain on tendons and ligaments, resulting in an increased incidence of soft tissue injuries alongside hoof problems. These conditions also increase the effort expended by the horse, causing fatigue more quickly and increasing the risk of injury.

Evaluating footing and arena conditions prior to exercise is advisable, followed by appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines to prepare the horse properly.

Supporting the Equine Hoof 

During dry conditions, horse owners can support hoof health by avoiding overly hard terrain. Additionally, applying hoof conditioners and oils can help alleviate excessive dryness and moisture loss.

In wet conditions, allowing horses access to a dry area for rest, keeping hooves clean, and routinely checking for thrush and other bacterial infections can help prevent hoof-related lameness. In both cases, providing proper nutrition can alsosupport overall hoof health.

Conclusion

Without the hoof, there is no horse. Evaluating your horse’s changing environment during the summer months and providing appropriate care can help prevent increased seasonal lameness, whether soft tissue- or hoof-related. Hard summer footing and lameness in horses is unfortunately common but absolutely manageable.

In dry weather, conditioning the hoof can help decrease dryness and cracking. Avoiding excessively hard footing, particularly during high-impact disciplines, can help preserve hoof integrity.

During rainy periods, providing horses with dry spaces and routinely checking for bacterial infections can help prevent hoof-related lameness. Likewise, avoiding deep, wet footing can reduce tendon and ligament strain, helping to prevent soft tissue injuries.