A closer look at the horse hoof heel: structure, balance, and why it matters

When we think about hoof care, it’s easy to focus on the toe, the frog, or even the sole. But the horse hoof heel is just as essential — often playing a bigger role in comfort, support, and soundness than many realise. In this post, we’ll explore what the heel is, how we assess it, and why its form and function deserve close attention.

What Is the heel, exactly? Horse hoof heel in a nutshell.

In hoof care, the term “heel” can refer to more than one structure, which can get confusing. In our educational materials, when talking about trimming the heels, we focus on the heel buttress, which is the part on both sides of the hoof, right at the end where the hoof wall comes to and end and turns into the bars. This, along with the toe and the hoof wall, are the parts of the hoof that benefit the most from small, frequent trims, and that is why it is taught in detail on our Tier 2: Weekly Trim online course.

Learn more about Tier 2 Membership

The horse hoof heel tells us a lot about how the hoof can absorb shock or balance weight. There’s a symbiotic relationship between the heels and the digital cushion, and problems in this area, such as underrun heels or excessive heel height, can lead to discomfort, poor movement, and even long-term damage.

With the correct care and trims, heels can be improved drastically. Here are before and after photos of a TB hoof that we rehabbed successfully.

Three ways to assess heel health

We evaluate the heels in the horse’s hoof using three interrelated parameters: height, location, and length. Each of these tells us something slightly different about how the hoof is functioning and where it might need support.

1. Heel height

This is measured from the seat of corn—the area at the back of the sole—to the heel buttress. It tells us how much vertical depth the heel has. However, if there’s retained dead sole material, this measurement can be misleading. That’s why regular, careful trimming and assessment are so important.

2. Heel location

Here, we look at where the heels sit in relation to the widest part of the frog, a key marker in hoof balance. Ideally, the heels are positioned at the widest part of the frog, but sometimes achieving this requires time and several anatomically correct trims. If the heels are too far forward, the hoof’s base of support is compromised.

3. Heel length

Measured from the hairline down to the farthest, weight-bearing point of the heel buttress, heel length gives us a concrete way to check medio-lateral (sideways) hoof balance at the back of the hoof, and to track changes over time.

The balance between height and location

One of the challenges in hoof care is that heel height and heel location are closely connected. When you move the heels back toward their ideal location, you inevitably reduce their height. And while we often want the heels to be farther back, we don’t always want to lose height—and never risk trimming into the sole to get there.

This is where understanding the individual horse’s trimming needs becomes important. In some cases, the heels may need to stay forward temporarily, to preserve height or protect sensitive internal structures. In others, we can move them back gradually as the hoof develops more strength and structure. There’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer, and in our advanced courses we teach how to assess this accurate, so that you can make the best trimming choices for your horse.

Why it all matters – the beauty and possibilities that the horse hoof heel holds

Heels that are too far forward, too high, or poorly balanced can affect the whole horse. They influence how weight is distributed, how the horse lands, and how strain moves through the joints, tendons, and ligaments. They also impact internal structures like the digital cushion, which acts as a shock absorber and supports the pedal bone and navicular bone.

In short: the horse hoof heel is a small but mighty part of the hoof. Paying close attention to it can make a dramatic difference in hoof health—and in your horse’s comfort and soundness.

Curious to learn more?

Understanding the heels is a key part of developing thoughtful, informed hoof care practices. If you're interested in digging deeper into the science and skill of trimming, we welcome you to join our comprehensive, easy-to-understand online courses.

They are designed for normal horse owners, and give you the knowledge and tools to make the right hoof care decisions for your equine friend!

Learn more