Sensitivity in Horses – Help & Tips for a Sensitive Gait

If a horse with bare hooves exhibits a cautious, shortened gait on hard, rocky, or uneven ground, or appears unsteady when placing its feet down, this is often a sign of sensitivity. A sensitive gait is usually caused by overuse or increased sensitivity in the hoof area. This is a warning sign that should never be ignored.

In this article, you'll learn about the possible causes, how to recognize sensitivity early on, and what specific steps you can take to effectively prevent it from the start.

What does "sensitivity" mean in horses?

Sensitivity is said to be present when the horse’s hooves are clearly sensitive, as reflected in its gait. This is often caused by irritation of the sensitive sole dermis.

A sensitive horse places its hooves carefully or hesitantly, is reluctant to put weight on them, and takes shorter strides. Its gait appears stiff, awkward, or reluctant. – The horse stumbles more often.

Sensitivity is particularly noticeable on surfaces that place heavy, localized stress on the sole of the hoof, such as gravel, rocky terrain, or uneven, hard ground. If the sensitivity continues to increase, the altered gait will eventually become apparent even on level surfaces.

Causes: Why does my horse have a light-footed gait and stumble?

Sensitivity is not a disease in its own right, but rather a symptom with a wide range of causes. From hoof diseases to mechanical overuse to metabolic problems—the triggers can vary greatly. It is crucial to identify the exact cause in order to take targeted action.

Hoof Diseases as a Common Cause

Tenderness can also be an early warning sign of various diseases. In the case of the onset of laminitis , the first sign is often just mild tenderness, which is unfortunately frequently misinterpreted as the horse being “lazy” or uncooperative. However, it is precisely these early signs that should be taken seriously, because only by acting promptly can a severe course of the disease potentially be prevented.

Also hoof abscesses or inflammation of the hoof corium may initially be noticeable only by a sensitive gait.

In addition, diseases associated with decomposition or putrefaction in the hoof, such as foot rot or so-called white line disease, can also cause sensitivity. If thrush has already progressed to the point where it reaches the dermis, it causes significant pain, which is reflected in the horse’s gait.

In White Line Disease, the hoof wall can be so severely damaged by progressive decomposition processes that it breaks down and loses its load-bearing function. As a result, the sole must bear a greater portion of the load, which can lead to overloading and sensitivity. In addition, there is a risk that the decomposition will spread to the corium and trigger painful inflammation.

Hoof Corneitis

If the horse shows only slight sensitivity under the rider’s weight and only on stony or uneven, hard surfaces, there is generally no cause for concern. Nevertheless, it is advisable to avoid such surfaces for the time being or to use appropriate hoof protection.

However, if the horse exhibits a sensitive gait even while wearing hoof protection or on softer, less demanding surfaces, this may indicate an existing hoof corium inflammation . This is often caused by overloading the sole area.

Misalignment and Inadequate Hoof Care

Hoof sensitivity can have various causes. In addition to various medical conditions, it can also occur in shod horses after a visit to the farrier. For example, if the hoof is burned for too long, trimmed too deeply, or nailed too high, the sensitive hoof corium can become irritated.

Even in unshod horses, excessive or improper trimming can lead to sensitivity. Other possible causes include excessive wear of the hoof horn, a thin sole, or a flat sole arch. In all these cases, stimuli are transmitted more intensely to the hoof corium.

In addition, hard, rocky, or uneven surfaces can trigger sensitivity. This is especially true for barefoot horses , for example, a pasture that has become very hard due to frost or long dry spells can lead to a sensitive gait.

Sensitivity in Horses – Metabolism

Metabolism can also be an indirect cause of sensitivity in horses. This is often an early sign of developing laminitis. Metabolic disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Equine Cushing’s Syndrome (ECS) can lead to impaired insulin regulation and persistently elevated insulin levels. Among other things, elevated insulin levels affect the blood vessels in the hoof corium and can impair blood flow. This can damage the sensitive tissue.

In addition, persistently high insulin levels in the cells of the lamellar layer can activate certain signaling pathways that are normally responsible for growth and cell division. This can lead to dysregulation of the cells and weaken the stability of the lamellar structure. If this tissue is damaged, the condition is referred to as laminitis. In such cases, therefore, it is not the metabolism itself that is the direct cause of the sensitivity, but rather the laminitis it triggers.

Feeding habits can also indirectly contribute to hoof sensitivity. If a nutrient deficiency persists over a long period of time, its effects may not become apparent until much later. Since it takes about a year for a hoof to fully regrow, poor-quality or unstable horn often does not become visible at the hoof wall until many months after the actual deficiency occurred.

In addition, very high levels of sugar and starch in the diet can also be problematic. They can place a heavy strain on the metabolism and, under certain circumstances, can also trigger laminitis, which in turn may manifest as tenderness.

A Horse Is Lame—Recognizing Typical Symptoms

• Careful, hesitant, or uncertain placement of the hooves

• Often shorter steps

• Limp or Reluctant Gait

• Increased tendency to stop and reluctance to continue walking when the ground feels softer

Another characteristic is that the symptoms improve significantly on soft ground, while hard or rocky surfaces make the discomfort worse.

If inflammation is already present, the hooves may feel warm. If, in addition, a clearly palpable pulse is present in the hooves, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately, as this may indicate the onset of overuse laminitis.

Measures and Treatment for Sensitivity 

Step 1: Determine the cause

If a horse is sensitive, its hooves should first be thoroughly examined for possible diseases and excessive wear. If laminitis is suspected, laminitis, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

Step 2: Immediate Actions

If no condition can be identified, it is important to protect the hooves from further stress. The horse should, if possible, only move on soft surfaces or temporarily wear hoof protection. It is important to note that hoof boots should generally only be used for a few hours at a time. If long-term protection is needed, plastic, iron, or adhesive shoeing may be a suitable alternative.

Step 3: Supportive Care

To support horn quality, the hooves can also be treated with Keralit Hoof Hardener . It can help make the hoof horn more stable, resilient, and resistant to wear. If there is insufficient horn, Keralit Laurel Ointment can be used to support hoof growth.

Preventing Sensitivity in Horses – The Best Tips

Prevention is better than cure—and that goes for hoof sensitivity, too. With the right care, proper posture, and targeted measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of hoof sensitivity and promote your horse’s long-term hoof health.

Regular hoof care by experienced professionals

To prevent sensitivity, regular and professional hoof care is especially important. Straight hoof walls of uniform length help prevent breakage as well as excessive or uneven wear.

The hoof care specialist or farrier can also detect early on if the hooves are wearing down too much and recommend appropriate measures.

Horse owners also have a role to play between appointments: Hooves should be checked regularly. Trimming the edges in a timely manner can prevent small chips and provide additional protection for the hooves.

Dry, clean floors and plenty of exercise

In addition to hoof care , the ground surface also plays an important role. It should be clean, hygienic, and not constantly wet, as moisture foul or white line disease , which in turn can lead to sensitivity.

Unless the horse is wearing hoof protection, the paddock should not be paved with stones or large boulders. When riding, stony and uneven surfaces should also be avoided as much as possible if the horse is not wearing hoof protection.

As a general rule, whether riding or walking the horse: On challenging surfaces such as gravel paths, the horse should be closely observed. If you get the impression that the horse is avoiding such surfaces—for example, by veering toward the softer edges—this may be a sign of sensitive hooves. In this case, you should consider using appropriate hoof protection and avoid that type of terrain for the time being.

Regardless of this, it is important for the horse's overall health that it be able to exercise regularly and sufficiently on suitable surfaces.

A healthy, low-sugar diet with high-quality mineral supplements

Prevention also plays an important role in nutrition. Regardless of whether a horse is already prone to laminitis or not, care should always be taken to minimize the risk of laminitis as much as possible. To do this, the horse’s diet must be individually tailored to its metabolism.

At the same time, a balanced intake of all essential nutrients is crucial. Only when the horse receives optimal nutrition over the long term can healthy, strong hoof horn regrow and good hoof horn quality be maintained.

Use hoof care products to strengthen the hoof horn

Another way to prevent sensitivity and other hoof problems is to use Keralit Strengthener. It can help stabilize the hoof horn and make it more resilient and resistant to abrasion.

In addition, it can help counteract decay processes in the hoof that can weaken the horn and compromise its stability.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Sensitivity in Horses

How long can a horse wear hoof boots?

Horse boots should generally be worn by horses for only a few hours a day, such as during a ride. Many models are secured with a fastening mechanism around the fetlock and ball of the hoof, usually using straps or buckles. As a result, they are generally not suitable for long-term use.

What should you feed a horse that is sensitive to the weather?

The horse feeding affects the quality of the hoof wall horn with a time lag of about one year. It can only influence the horn that is newly formed. Therefore, acute sensitivity cannot be immediately improved through diet.

Regardless of existing hoof problems , however, care should always be taken to ensure a diet tailored to the horse’s needs. This includes sufficient high-quality hay as well as a balanced supply of minerals to promote healthy and strong hoof horn in the long term.

Why is my horse sensitive after a hoof trim?

After a hoof trim, a horse may be temporarily sensitive. Because the hoof has been trimmed, the hoof corium is once again exposed to stronger stimuli when the horse walks. In addition, the horse must first get used to the changed sensation when putting weight on its hooves.

In some cases, the trimming process itself can irritate the corium. For example, removing too much horn, trimming the hoof too long, or setting the nails too high can cause pain.

If the tenderness does not go away on its own within a few days, you should first contact your farrier or hoof technician. If the symptoms persist or worsen, you should then consult a veterinarian.