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| | Hello,
Every horse owner or rider has heard of a horse having thin soles, but what does thin soles mean exactly? Thin soles in horses refers to a lack of adequate sole depth beneath the distal phalanx, which leaves sensitive internal hoof structures exposed to pressure or abrasive surfaces. Veterinarians, farriers, and knowledgeable equine owners—or “hoof‑care teams”—address this issue by carefully assessing sole thickness, employing precise trimming and shoeing strategies, and often using protective boots or shoes such as from Soft Ride Boots or SoftRider shoes to shield the sole and frog from concussion. Nutritional support and environmental management also play a vital role in fostering healthy sole growth. Together, this team collaborates to both diagnose thin‑soled horses and implement therapeutic and preventive measures, aiming to restore comfort, hoof strength, and long‑term soundness. Thicker soles makes for happier, more sound horses, which means everyone is enjoying their time!
Soft Ride Team |
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| | Thin soles mean that the sole layer of the horse’s hoof is too shallow to protect underlying sensitive tissues. Thin soles are typically considered to be less than 3/8 inch (≈9 mm) in thickness in most horses. In practice, a sole thinner than 15 mm (especially under about 10 mm) is considered inadequate and may result in subtle or overt lameness. Thin soles often present as overly flat soles lacking the natural concavity seen in healthy hooves, meaning that the hoof architecture can’t dissipate concussion forces effectively. In that state, the sole no longer cushions step impact—making the horse uncomfortable or painful on hard or uneven ground. In many cases, the sole feels flexible or soft when pressed, and the horse may shift weight or show tenderness under hoof testing. Owners and caretakers should understand that thin soles represent a significant structural deficiency, and require coordinated action from veterinarians, farriers, and caretakers to support healing and prevent injury. |
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| Most Common Causes of Thin Soles |
| Thin soles can arise from a variety of interrelated factors. Often, genetic predisposition—such as seen in many Thoroughbreds—means certain horses habitually develop soles that are naturally shallow and vulnerable. Improper trimming—especially over-trimming—can inadvertently remove too much sole, reducing vertical depth and compromising sole strength. Environmental conditions, particularly damp or muddy footing, soften the sole horn and accelerate wear, while extremely dry or abrasive surfaces can also abrade it away. Nutritional imbalances—deficiencies in biotin, lysine, copper, zinc or poor overall hoof nutrition—have a recognized role in compromised sole thickness and horn integrity. Laminitic or metabolic processes, such as mild chronic laminitis, can also thin the sole by compressing the solar dermis and disrupting horn formation.
Common causes of thin soles: Genetic predisposition Over‑trimming Prolonged wet or muddy environment Abrasive or hard surface wear Poor nutrition or mineral deficiencies Chronic metabolic or laminitic processes Advanced age and/or slowed hoof growth Overuse or intensive athletic work
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| Signs and Symptoms of Thin Soles |
| Subtle or overt lameness, especially on hard ground Tenderness or sensitivity to hoof tester pressure Flat or overly concave sole shape Bruising or frequent sole abscesses Frequent weight shifting or hoof-lifting Soft or flexible sole when pressed Lack of sole concavity under the coffin bone Reluctance to move or shortened stride
If your concerned your horse may have thin soles reach out to your vet or farrier for a diagnosis. To identify these in your horse, begin with careful hoof examination: using hoof testers over the sole and frog can elicit tenderness if the sole is thin. Observe your horse on different surfaces: note if it limps or is resistant to walking on gravel, pavement, or rocky terrain. Look at the shape of the sole from below to see if it appears flat across bar to bar rather than gently concave. Gently press with a thumb over the sole; soft yielding or sensitivity may indicate insufficient thickness. Also watch for behavioral signs: shifting weight between feet when standing, lifting feet frequently, or a hesitant gait when turning. Horses with bruised soles or chronic mild lameness may seem sensitive after trimming or footing changes. Taken together, these clues help you, your vet, and your farrier assess whether the sole depth is compromised and acting as a source of discomfort. |
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| Radiographic testing can then confirm a suspicion of thin soles. |
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| Common Treatments for Thin Soles |
| Treatment for thin soles focuses on protecting the hoof, encouraging sole growth, and minimizing concussion. Supportive products such as Soft Ride Comfort Boots and SoftRider therapeutic shoes, can play a key role in both short-term relief and long-term recovery. These tools help reduce pressure on sensitive areas while promoting a healthier hoof environment.
Common treatments for thin soles include: Soft Ride Comfort Boots – supportive boots that cushion the sole and frog, promote circulation and reduce concussive stress Purple Gel Orthotics – the softest gel insert in the orthotic lineup, great for horses with sore, stinging feet and thin soles SoftRider Gel Max or Arena Shoes - help support the sole and frog, promote circulation, and reduce concussion—allowing new, thicker sole tissue to grow while protecting the hoof during exercise or turnout Topical sole tougheners - applications of Venice turpentine, pine tar, tea tree oil, or buffered iodine dressings to the sole can help harden and protect superficial sole layers Correct trimming and shoeing - conservative trimming to preserve sole depth, possibly with heart‑bar shoes or wedge pads to redistribute pressure and support the frog Pour‑in pad application - soft or copper‑sulfate–infused pads poured into the shoe provide temporary cushioning and protect the sole while allowing natural growth Improved nutrition - supplementation with biotin, lysine, copper, zinc and overall balanced hoof‑support diet aids hoof horn production and sole thickening
*Make sure to work closely with your vet and farrier to provide a treatment plan specifically designed for your horse’s needs. |
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| Thin Sole Prevention Recommendations |
| To prevent thin soles from developing, maintain balanced hoof trimming rather than aggressively creating concavity—communicate regularly with your farrier and vet so sole depth is preserved. Provide good-quality nutrition that supports hoof horn formation, including biotin, copper, zinc, and adequate protein. Keep the environment clean and dry or, alternatively, controlled in wet conditions—avoid prolonged exposure to mud or overly abrasive footing. Use supportive, protective Soft Ride Boots or SoftRider shoes proactively on horses with naturally thin soles during transitions or hard work. Finally, ensure regular movement and turnout to promote circulation through the hoof, which aids healthy sole growth and strength. Regular hoof assessments by a knowledgeable team are key to catching any thinning before it progresses. |
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| Texas Equine Veterinary Association Summer Symposium |
| The Texas Equine Veterinary Association’s Summer CE Symposium delivers 18.5 RACE‑approved CE hours in a collegial and relaxed atmosphere designed for equine practitioners nationwide. Attendees will engage with cutting‑edge equine medicine, including clinical topics, wet labs, demonstrations, and updates across disciplines such as respiratory, cardiology, neurology, surgery, and reproductive medicine. Featured speakers include leading academics and specialists offering practical and applicable skills and knowledge in hands‑on and lecture formats.
Event Information Horseshoe Bay, Texas
July 31- August 2, 2025
Horseshoe Bay Resort 200 Hi Circle North Horseshoe Bay Texas, 78657
Visit for More Information: https://www.texasequineva.com/continuing-education |
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| Equine Sports Medicine Symposium |
| The Equine Sports Medicine Symposium, organized by the Carolina Equine Sports Medicine Education Foundation, is a two-day event held offering 12–14 hours of RACE‑approved CE credits in metabolic and muscle condition management. It features cutting‑edge speakers such as 5‑star eventer Will Faudree, and veterinary experts Dr. Jane Manfredi, Dr. Lauren Schnabel, Dr. Meghan Ramos, Dr. Sammy Pittman, Dr. Brian Pietrosimone, and Dr. Stephanie Valberg, who present on topics spanning equine biomechanics, rehabilitation, podiatry, sports medicine, and comparative human-animal diagnostics.
This symposium emphasizes practical, research-backed approaches to equine performance, integrating farriery, veterinary diagnostics, therapeutic innovations, and evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to support both clinicians and farriers working with athletic horses
Event Information: Pittsboro North Carolina August 22 & 23, 2025
Chatham County Convention Center 1192 US Hwy West Business Pittsboro, NC 27312
Visit for More Information: https://equinesportsmedicinesymposium.com/symposium-home |
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| All American Quarter Horse Congress |
| The All American Quarter Horse Congress is recognized as the world’s largest single‑breed horse show, drawing over 20,000 entries and nearly half a million spectators across multiple weeks. The event features a vast array of competitions—from reining and cutting to barrel racing, halter, hunter, and speed classes—alongside clinics, demonstrations, and a trade show which the the sole public facing event Soft Ride attends each year. If you want to see Soft Ride boots in person or discuss your horse’s measurements with our staff look for us in the Congress Hall trade show.
Event Information:
Soft Ride Booth - 602
September 27 - October 26
Ohio Expo Center
717 East 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211
info@quarterhorsecongress.com
614-505-7200
Visit for More Information: https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/ |
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| No Laminitis! Digital Conference |
| The 2025 NO Laminitis! Conference, hosted virtually by the ECIR Group from October 31 to November 2, brings together leading experts to discuss the latest research and treatment strategies for equine metabolic disorders, particularly PPID, EMS, and laminitis. Featured speakers include Dr. Eleanor Kellon, Dr. David Rendle, Dr. Elaine Norton, and Dr. Robert Bowker, covering topics such as pergolide dosing, obesity-related laminitis risk, hoof biomechanics, nutrition, and emerging therapies like SGLT-2 inhibitors. The conference blends endocrinology, hoof science, and practical management tools to support veterinarians and horse owners in improving equine health.
Event Information: October 31 – November 2, 2025
Location: Virtual Conference (hosted online via Zoom)
Contact Info: Email: info@ecirhorse.org
Website: https://www.nolaminitis.org
Hosted by: The ECIR Group (Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group Inc.)
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| American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention |
| The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Annual Convention, taking place December 6–10, 2025 in Denver, is the world’s largest gathering of equine veterinarians, offering over 100 hours of CE through lectures, case-based forums, and interactive sessions. The program features a diverse range of topics—such as lameness and rehabilitation, surgery, dentistry, sports medicine, reproduction, diagnostic imaging, infectious and non‑infectious diseases, and business‑practice life subjects like wellness, ethics, and social license. Highlighted speakers include renowned presenters such as orthobiologics expert Dr. Lisa Fortier delivering the state‑of‑the‑art Milne lecture, a keynote by Temple Grandin, and sessions led by imaging, lameness, and practice management authorities like Natasha Werpy, Hilary Clayton, and others.
Event Information:
Soft Ride Booth - 2351
December 6-10 Location: Denver, CO
Colorado Convention Center Exhibit Halls ABC Phone: (859)233-0147 Fax: (859)233-1968 Email: aaepoffice@aaep.org
Visit for More Information: https://convention.aaep.org/ |
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| As we continue our drive to keep your horse on his feet, we've received more than 15 patents, ship to over 50 countries, and work with more than 6,000 veterinarians around the world, as well as every veterinarian school in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. And with horse owners from every discipline using our products, we can safely and proudly say, "The best in the world rely on Soft Ride." |
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