The heel of a horse’s hoof is the rearmost part of the foot — the paired structures at the back of the hoof that form the base of the foot’s weight-bearing surface. Understanding the anatomy, function, and care of the horse heel is essential for anyone involved in horse ownership, farriery, or equine veterinary work. Heel problems are among the most common causes of low-grade, chronic lameness, and many cases go undiagnosed for far longer than they should.
Anatomy of the Horse Heel
The heels are the two rounded, paired structures at the back of the hoof capsule. Each heel is formed by the hoof wall curving rearward and inward to create the heels, which then angle inward to form the bars of the hoof. The bars are extensions of the hoof wall that run alongside the frog toward the toe, providing structural integrity to the rear of the foot.
The soft tissue structures at the heel include the heel bulbs — the rubbery, rounded cushions that sit above the heels and absorb a significant portion of the impact forces when the foot lands. The digital cushion sits beneath the lateral cartilages and above the frog, forming a hydraulic shock-absorbing system that works in concert with the frog, bars, and frog.
Healthy heels should be open — neither contracted nor excessively wide — symmetrical in height, and sitting on approximately the same plane as the frog. The angle of the heel should ideally parallel the angle of the toe, creating the aligned pastern-hoof axis that is central to good farriery practice.
The Role of the Heel in Foot Mechanics
When a horse moves on a yielding surface, the foot lands heel-first or flat, allowing the structures at the rear of the foot to depress and absorb shock. The landing sequence — heel to toe — is a critical component of normal hoof mechanism. A horse that is reluctant to land heel-first, consistently landing toe-first instead, is often doing so to avoid heel pain. This pattern is frequently associated with navicular syndrome, deep digital flexor tendon issues, or other causes of caudal heel pain.
The heels also govern the expansion and contraction of the foot. As weight is applied, the heels should expand slightly outward and the hoof capsule as a whole should widen. This expansion is part of the shock-absorbing mechanism and also assists with blood circulation through the foot. Contracted heels — where the heels are abnormally narrow and close together — impair this mechanism and are associated with various lameness conditions.
Common Heel Problems
Contracted heels: A condition in which the heels are narrower than normal, often caused by inadequate frog pressure, long-toe low-heel conformation, or prolonged use of shoes without appropriate trimming. Contracted heels restrict hoof mechanism and are frequently associated with navicular disease. Management involves changes in shoeing and trimming strategies to encourage heel expansion over time.
Low heels / underrun heels: Where the heels are crushed forward and the hoof angle at the heel is considerably lower than the angle at the toe. This misalignment puts strain on the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone. Common in horses with naturally sloping pasterns and in those that have been shod for extended periods without adequate attention to heel height.
Heel bruising: Bruising of the heel bulbs or the sole at the seat of corn (the angle between the bar and the wall) can cause acute or intermittent lameness. Often caused by stones, thin soles, or poor shoeing. Visible as a reddish discolouration in the white line or sole when the foot is pared back by a farrier or vet.
Mud fever at the heels: The heel bulbs and the skin between them is a common site for mud fever (pastern dermatitis), particularly in horses with pale skin in this region or those with heavy feathering. Symptoms include scabbing, weeping, and cracking of the skin.
Farriery and Heel Management
Good farriery pays close attention to heel balance and angle. The goal in most horses is to maintain a hoof-pastern axis that is straight and continuous — the front surface of the hoof wall, pastern, and upper pastern should all be on the same angle when viewed from the side. Heels that are too low allow this axis to break backward; heels that are too high break it forward.
For horses with heel pain or navicular issues, remedial shoeing strategies such as egg-bar shoes, wide-web shoes, or wedge pads may be employed to alter the loading of the caudal foot. The British Equine Veterinary Association recommends that any horse with suspected heel or navicular pain receive a thorough lameness investigation, including nerve blocks to localise pain and imaging (X-ray and/or MRI) to confirm the diagnosis, before remedial farriery is commenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my horse has heel pain?
The most common indicator of heel pain is toe-first landing — the horse consistently placing the toe on the ground before the heel, effectively trying to avoid landing on the painful area. Other signs include shortened stride, stiffness after standing, reluctance to work on hard ground, and response to hoof testers applied across the heels. A formal lameness assessment with nerve blocks is needed to confirm the location of pain. If you suspect your horse is consistently landing toe-first, consult your vet and farrier together.
What causes contracted heels and can they be corrected?
Contracted heels most commonly result from insufficient frog contact with the ground (which provides the stimulation for natural hoof expansion), long-toe low-heel conformation, or inappropriate shoeing that prevents normal hoof mechanism. They can be improved with time, correct trimming, and in some cases removing shoes to allow barefoot stimulation of frog contact. Significant correction takes months rather than weeks, and deep-seated contraction in an older horse may never fully resolve. Working with a knowledgeable farrier who understands the biomechanics involved is essential.
Why do heels crack in wet and dry conditions?
The heel bulbs and surrounding skin are particularly prone to cracking because they sit at the junction between the hard hoof capsule and the softer skin of the pastern, and the area is subject to both impact and moisture fluctuation. In wet conditions, prolonged softening of the skin followed by rapid drying causes cracking. In very dry conditions, the heel skin desiccates and splits. Management includes barrier creams for wet conditions, hoof moisturisers for dry conditions, and prompt treatment of any open cracks to prevent secondary bacterial infection.