Cold-Induced Hoof Pain

Frozen and lumpy ground can make any horse hesitant and short-strided. This is something different.

Cold temperatures can trigger severe hoof pain in some horses – Plan ahead to mitigate this

Winter weather poses unique challenges for EMS horses

Most horses are energized by cooler weather, bucking and playing exuberantly, but for  some temperature drops mean the temporary onset of relentless hoof pain. Thresholds vary by the individual but the onset can appear even with modest drops like 40 F (4.4 C) and it quickly disappears when temps rise above the threshold.

The syndrome is sometimes called “winter laminitis” because of the severity of signs and reluctance to move but there is no evidence of inflammation and typically no radiographic changes. The cause actually seems to be a failure of the hoof to effectively respond to cold induced changes in circulation.

Cold weather normally reduces blood flow to the limbs and hooves, which is why feet grow more slowly in winter. The hoof has a rich network of arteriovenous shunts, which are pathways for blood to be shunted away from the tissues and returned directly to the veins and from there to the body. Cold causes a reflexic opening of these shunts to quickly divert blood back to the core and preserve body heat in cold weather.

In horses not bothered by the cold, homeostatic mechanisms will periodically close off the shunts and perfuse the tissues to prevent oxygen and nutrient levels from getting too low. In horses with cold induced hoof pain, this process appears to fail and the tissues are not adequately perfused. Support for this being the cause comes from the response to efforts to support circulation.

Jiaogulan is a Chinese herb with a well documented ability to stimulate the production of nitric acid by the endogenous nitric oxide synthase enzymes (eNOS) located inside blood vessels.  Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator in the body. The vasodilating effects of Jiaogulan can be further supported by providing arginine, citrulline and folic acid – the raw materials needed to generate nitric oxide.

Susceptible horses can be further supported by blanketing them to conserve body heat and the use of leg wraps. Lined shipping wraps work particularly well because they are easy to apply and won’t slip down, which can constrict the tendons. Felt lined boots or the use of wool socks over the feet before applying boots completes the picture. Another advantage of using shipping boots is they typically extend down to cover the heels and coronary bands, which keeps snow and rain out of the boots.

Cold induced hoof pain is temporary but a significant issue for your horse. Fortunately, it can usually be successfully managed.

Eleanor Kellon, VMD