Proper foot care is essential. Corrective trimming and shoeing maintains proper foot balance and helps reduce the risk of laminitis, thrush, white line disease, and hoof cracks. In young foals and weanlings, feet should be examined and trimmed regularly to ensure a proper weight-bearing axis. A balanced foot in a young horse minimizes the risk of angular limb deformities. (Also see Lameness in Horses.)

Last full review/revision July 2011 by Wendy E. Vaala, VMD, DACVIM