Low, weak heels can cause significant issues for both performance horses and the pleasure horse.

The issues relating to low, weak heels do not isolate themselves to only the hoof. They also can cause extensive pain and damage up the horse’s limb and into the frame of the horse’s body that, in turn, affects its ability to perform to the best of its ability. Early intervention is always advisable, but farriers often inherit the issues and must try to remedy it for the horse as best as they can.

Toes that are kept too long exacerbate the problem of low, weak heels. The long toe acts as a lever, putting extreme pressure on the coffin joint and the supporting structures, which then travels up the limb. The horse should naturally break over from heel to toe. If the toe is too long, it slows and impedes the breakover, and the stress dissipates to the rear of the hoof and limb.

There are a multitude of approaches to assist a horse with low, weak heels. It’s important to note, each horse is…