Very low heels

lauren123

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2007
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East Yorkshire
So I will be speaking to my farrier about this. But I would like your opinion as well.

Sox has very low heels (almost touching the ground ) what can be done about them? I know some people have bars shoes on there horses. My farrier said pads wouldn't work for sox. What would you all do?
 
What would I do? I'd do as much reading up as I could, with my eyes open to the source of the articles I was reading, so that I had a basic understanding of low heels. I'd then ask my farrier if he would explain why the heels were so low, what problems were associated with low heels & what problems would be involved with trying to alter this if he thought it was desirable or possible to do so. If I was really worried I'd get foot balance x-rays done, it may be that his heels are low but his foot balance is fine & trying to increase the heel height would actually unbalance the foot & cause problems.

Of course if you don't trust your farrier enough to ask the question & expect an honest professional reply then that's a completely different issue & I'd be looking for a new farrier.

Low heels are not always bad. I have two laminitics whose heels are kept low to help with pedal bone alignment, one in particular looks very low on his heel (his whole foot shape emphasises it) but he's happy that way & if the heel gets a little too high he is less comfortable. I've had detailed explanations from my excellent farrier, read up on it, seen his x-rays & also seen his response to this trim & I'm happy even if his feet may look odd to someone who doesn't know what we're dealing with.

PS when talking with farriers I'd make it very clear I'm asking, not telling them their job!
 
It depends if its actually normal for your horse. Mine has had xrays done, they got a second opinion and what's seen is normal for my cob.
However, if they drop lower its going to put pressure on the internal structure.
So as CH says read up and actually find out if you have a problem or if you would create one by altering it.
Is Sox lame? If yes you may have a ligament/tendon issue that's letting the hoof drop.
 
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