The Premier site for the Australian Stock Horse in NZ.
15/04/2025
What’s hooves got to do with body work?
A horse’s hooves are not just part of the picture—they are the foundation. And just like any structure, if the foundation is compromised, everything above it must adapt. When hooves are unbalanced or poorly maintained, the consequences ripple throughout the body: compensatory posture, uneven muscle and fascial tension, joint misalignment, impaired proprioception, uneven shoulders, pelvis , instability, and ultimately, a higher risk of injury or falls.
In my work, it’s become increasingly clear how underappreciated hoof balance is in relation to posture, muscular function, and biomechanics. There’s a real need for broader education and awareness—but it’s also heartening to see so many owners beginning to connect the dots and advocate for better hoof care.
The Most Common Issues I See?
• Low heels, long toes, and negative palmar angles (NPA)
• Asymmetrical heels (commonly referred to as “high-low” syndrome)
To understand how hoof imbalances affect the body, try this: wear shoes that are too long and notice how your stride changes—then try running. Or slip into high heels and pay attention to how your head, shoulders, and hips shift to compensate. Now put one heel on and leave the other foot flat—feel that uneven tension? That’s the same compensatory strain your horse feels with unbalanced feet.
Why This Matters
Hoof imbalances change fascial tone and tension throughout the body, affecting not just muscles, but also tendons, ligaments, and neural pathways. Over time, compensatory movement patterns become ingrained, and if not addressed, they can lead to structural changes—like joint misalignments and, eventually, arthritis (the body’s attempt to stabilize an unstable joint). It’s no surprise the joint supplement industry is booming.
Despite this, many horses are still expected to perform—walk, trot, canter, jump—on overdue or poorly balanced hooves. This creates stress throughout the kinetic chain, causing the spine to stiffen, posture to collapse, and locomotor muscles like the hamstrings and glutes to take over roles meant for intrinsic postural muscles. The result? Confused signals from muscles, tendons, joints, and hooves flooding the nervous system, leading to disorganized movement patterns and reduced performance.
Maximizing the Impact of Bodywork
To get the most from any bodywork session and achieve lasting improvements, the foundation must be addressed. That means both the hooves and, just as importantly, the teeth (more on that in another post). A qualified trimmer or farrier who understands modern principles of hoof balance is essential. Their work can dramatically improve function and even reduce long-term veterinary costs.
That said, even the most skilled professionals can’t create miracles overnight, not even me 🤪 They can only work with what’s there, and restoring balance—especially if the imbalance has been present for some time—can take several consistent trimming cycles before the hoof begins to grow out correctly.
I’m constantly amazed by the body’s ability to compensate. Are you right or left dominant ? Sometimes, the best we can do is support the horse in that compensation and make them as comfortable and functional as possible along the way.
While I’m not qualified in hoof care, I deeply recognize the critical relationship between hoof morphology and bodywork. My understanding is shaped by hands-on experience and the scientific insights of respected experts in the field, including The Equine Documentalist, Dr. Robert Bowker, and Andrew Bowe. Their work continues to inform and inspire my approach to supporting whole-horse wellness.
Sink your teeth in! https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com/post/the-hoof-horse-connection?fbclid=
