Dr. Judith L. Mulholland

The ideal bedding surface is soft and loose, without packing into the feet; e.g., sand (must be shaded), rice hulls or wood shavings. These surfaces encourage the horse to lie down and rest, to "Take a load off the feet".

If the horse is progressing well in a sand yard, leave it there. When sand is slightly damp it conforms to the sole of the foot, this may increase frog pressure which is known to enhance circulation to the toe via anastimoses between blood vessel and delivers it via an alternate blood supply to the affected areas. Damp sand is cooling and this is important during the acute stage. If sand is heated it will exacerbate the problem.

On soft surfaces, a sore horse will position its feet for comfort, angle and pressure over the frog and sole. If sand is not available, many horses respond to padding and protection of the sole (if not excessive). Too much packing causes sole pressure. Compressible, dense foam is ideal.

Laminitis causes varying degrees of sinking of the pedal bone lower into the hoof capsule and dropped/convex sole. Avoid walking the horse over, or standing the horse on, surfaces which will cause sole pressure. Make a mound in the centre and let the horse sort its own hoof angles out.

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