How can sole bruises be prevented?
All horse’s feet should be regularly trimmed and shod by a qualified farrier and should always be picked and thoroughly cleaned out before exercise. Exercise on uneven and stony ground should be avoided, particularly for thin soled horses. Protective hoof pads are sometimes used for thin soled horses. These are layers of rubber or leather that are fitted between the foot and the shoe so that the entire sole is covered in an attempt to prevent bruising of the sole. They should be used with care since they are often at best ineffective and at worst detrimental. Pads may exacerbate the effect of uneven ground because they effectively bring the sole closer to the ground surface. Also, stones and other objects may become trapped between them and the sole. Pads prevent the essential daily task of thoroughly inspecting the solar surface of the foot and frog. Nevertheless, despite these problems, pads remain very popular with some owners and trainers. Cautions: A foot abscess (infection) can c
