One of the most important (and often overlooked) factors in equine soundness starts on the ground: your horse's feet. Proper shoeing and hoof balance play a critical role in supporting their tendons and ligaments. A small imbalance in the hoof angle can put unnecessary stress on these structures, and can lead to injury or chronic strain.
How Does Hoof Balance Affect Tendons?
Tendons and ligaments are designed to absorb and transfer force through the limb with each step. When a hoof is properly trimmed and shod, that force moves efficiently from the ground up. When that balance is off by even a few degrees, it changes the way those structures are loaded.
Poor shoeing or imbalanced hooves can result in:
- Increased tension on the flexor tendons
- Overloading of the suspensory ligament
- Strain on the navicular apparatus
- Delayed breakover, which increases tendon fatigue
- Compensatory stress in other areas of the limb
Over time, this imbalance can contribute to chronic inflammation, microtears, or even acute injury.
What Does Proper Shoeing Look Like?
Every horse is different, but there are general rules of thumb for balanced feet.
- Trimmed to maintain an even medial-lateral balance
- Support the natural alignment of the pastern and cannon bones
- Allow for correct breakover to reduce leverage on the tendons
- Match the horse's job and workload. Different disciplines have different needs
Collaborating closely with a knowledgeable farrier and vet can make all the difference, especially if your horse has a history of soft tissue injury.
Soft Tissue Support Doesn't Stop at the Foot
While proper shoeing sets the foundation, your horse's internal tissue health matters just as much. That's where Tendonall comes in.
Tendonall supports healthy tendons and ligaments, and complements your external care (like great farrier work) with science-backed internal support. Protect your horse's soft tissues, and keep your horse moving freely and performing their best.
From the Ground Up: How Proper Shoeing Supports Tendon and Ligament Health
One of the most important (and often overlooked) factors in equine soundness starts on the ground: your horse's feet. Proper shoeing and hoof balance play a critical role in supporting their tendons and ligaments. A small imbalance in the hoof angle can put unnecessary stress on these structures, and can lead to injury or chronic strain.
How Does Hoof Balance Affect Tendons?
Tendons and ligaments are designed to absorb and transfer force through the limb with each step. When a hoof is properly trimmed and shod, that force moves efficiently from the ground up. When that balance is off by even a few degrees, it changes the way those structures are loaded.
Poor shoeing or imbalanced hooves can result in:
Over time, this imbalance can contribute to chronic inflammation, microtears, or even acute injury.
What Does Proper Shoeing Look Like?
Every horse is different, but there are general rules of thumb for balanced feet.
Collaborating closely with a knowledgeable farrier and vet can make all the difference, especially if your horse has a history of soft tissue injury.
Soft Tissue Support Doesn't Stop at the Foot
While proper shoeing sets the foundation, your horse's internal tissue health matters just as much. That's where Tendonall comes in.
Tendonall supports healthy tendons and ligaments, and complements your external care (like great farrier work) with science-backed internal support. Protect your horse's soft tissues, and keep your horse moving freely and performing their best.