06/08/2025
🙌 Retracted soles… 🙌
I see these from time to time, and I have heard a few definitions of retracted soles and from what I understand, it isn’t entirely clear how they form. Here is my current understanding of retracted soles…
A retracted sole is recognised by a change in conformation of the sole especially in the front half of the hoof under P3 (the pedal or coffin bone). Here is my POV on retracted soles:
* A flattening of the sole under P3 and loss of sole depth under P3
* There will be a steep curve or even a ledge in the sole around the toe region in particular - not to be confused with a natural cup shape
* Often, there is a change in texture of the sole in the flat area - it may feel like cardboard and depress under light pressure
* There may be signs of trauma or inflammation in the sole and later, signs of inflammation in the white line as it grows out
* The white line may disappear around the toe region as the wall appears to curls back up on itself.
* The horse may be lame, or short striding on the straight or turn
* The landing may not necessarily be heel first, as it may be accompanied by a caudal collapse and backward rotation of the pedal bone within the capsule
* It can impact any hoof shape, any hoof (often pairs of hooves, usually fronts, and any horse, at any age
* I see more incidences of retracted soles in Arabs, TB’s and warm bloods, and occasionally in native ponies in the UK.
* It is thought to be metabolically driven and can appear with a loss of healthy homeostasis
* It cannot be corrected through a trim and must be allowed to grow out as homeostasis returns and the hoof recovers
* Un-resolved, Un-recognised sub-acute, acute, recurring or chronic retracted sole is a serious pathology and can lead to loss of bone density and conformation as the pressure to the sole corium reduced nourishment. Once P3 has lost bone, it never grows back!
* Horses with sensitive constitutions tend to be more susceptible and are more at risk than overall robust healthy horses
* Horses may develop abscessed as a result of trauma to the corium and loss of homeostasis
* There may be raised digital pulses and heat with lameness, but not always
* Do not confuse retracted sole with a sole callous.
* Do not ride a horse with signs of retracted soles. Treat as lame and vulnerable until the sole return to healthy.
* Consider providing restricted turnout and limit free movement if necessary as speed and turning can lead to secondary complications and exacerbate the condition
* Stress (mental, physical, emotional) seems to be associated with the incidence of retracted soles
It is absolutely essential to recognise retracted soles and provide the necessary support and healing environment for optimum recovery, as soon as possible, with the aim of:
1. Restoring optimum blood flow to the corium
2. Preserving P3 bone health
3. Optimising welfare and above all, comfort
4. Reducing stress and providing an appropriate healing environment
If you spot changes in sole conformation and suspect retracted soles, talk to your hoof care provider and vet - take podiatry radiographs to identify any changes in capsular or phalangeal alignment and measure sole depth and CE (coronet-extensor distance)
Horses with retracted soles require extremely careful trimming - preserve sole depth at all cost. Never trim into the sole unless you have current radiographs to guide you.
A shoe may be needed to create more height to the sole and soft packing such as soft dental impression material can be used to spread the load on all structures, or even relieve an area of damaged sole corium
Some horses are okay in boots and thick soft pads (and wedges if needed), and some are fine barefoot in a conforming surface, with a sole hardener such as ketatex or ideally, hoof armour.
A short trim cycle may be needed to optimise balance and prevent further loss of capsular or phalangeal alignment. Remember, small trims are sometimes easier on the horse than big trims where weak structures may be loaded and compromise healing and comfort.
Keep a diary and note the environmental conditions and lifestyle of the horse, as well as interventions such as medications, wormers and vaccines, as these might trigger a loss of homeostasis. Note changes in temperature, conditions under hoof, and diet, as some are triggered by changes in hay or forage - for instance when first turned out onto grass after a break and try and avoid known or potential trigger in horses at risk.
It may seem obvious but having optimum hoof morphology, and balanced hooves may prevent retracted soles from occurring or reoccurring. Horses with long toes, low heels, thin soles, poor posture, and signs of pathology or distortion in the hoof are more at risk of any pathology….
Feel free to share your stories and pictures and help spread the word and raise awareness of this serious pathological condition which is becoming more prevalent in domestic horses… for what reason, I do not know.
Thanks to Daisy Alexis Bicking for the picture - I forgot to take this view at the time!
If you enjoy or are in any way curious about the posts I share, I humbly invite you to 2 x inspiring and educational webinars this June:
If you would like to spend an hour or two with myself and Lindsey field from the_study_of_the_equine_hoof The study of the equine hoof as we answer FAQ’s on my hoof care approach, check out this live event on the 19th June at 7pm BST: https://www.holisticequine.co.uk/event-details/ask-the-experts-q-a-1-with-guest-lindsey-field-the-study-of-the-equine-hoof
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