Your horse has been sound all autumn, despite the seasonal rise in ACTH. Suddenly, with the drop in temperatures, your horse is foot sore. Cold-induced hoof pain?
◆︎ What is cold-induced hoof pain?
Cold-induced hoof pain is a painful condition caused by the horse’s attempt to conserve body heat. Shunts exist between the small arteries and small veins of the hooves, to bypass the capillary bed. This allows the body to conserve heat by sending the warm blood back to the core before it gets cold in the capillary bed. It’s a way to preserve heat for the body core.
Although the mechanism is slightly different, this phenomenon occurs in people, usually in the hands or the feet, when the extremities get very cold.
◆︎ When is this likely to occur?
Some veterinarians have indicated that this can occur when the temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but I’ve found that when the temperature is below about 54 degrees, my mare has more hoof pain.
◆︎ How to help the horse:
Winter management is key to helping the horse.
➡ Protection from the cold is key.
» Shelter is important to protect from the wind, rain and snow.
» Blanketing may be necessary to help the horse conserve body heat.
» Shipping boots or leg wraps to protect the legs may be helpful. Be sure that you can keep them dry.
» Socks and boots help to keep the hoofs covered, dry, and warm. Hunting socks may be suitable if they fit over the horse’s hooves.
➡ Diet/PPID management:
If your horse is insulin resistant, or has PPID, he/she may be more susceptible to cold-induced hoof pain. It’s critical to maintain the appropriate diet and/or medication management for best results.
◆︎ Supplements to help the horse:
Jiaogulan: Supports the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is a natural vasodilator. By boosting the NO, it helps counteract the vasoconstriction in the hooves.
AAKG: This provides the precursors for the production of NO, which helps increase NO formation. This may be helpful for healthy hoof blood flow.
ALCAR: ALCAR is known to help support the relief of pain. It is an antioxidant which helps the mitochondria within the cells. It may also be helpful for healthy nerve functioning.
◆︎ Veterinary care:
If your horse has cold-induced hoof pain that is not resolved through management and supplements, it may be a combination of laminitic pain and cold-induced hoof pain. Contacting a veterinarian for a consultation and/or diagnostic testing may be necessary. Your veterinarian will be able to give you a diagnosis.
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Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
©Joan Kulifay, MSc. 2025