Horse Hooves in Spring: What Australian Owners Need to Know

Spring is one of the most important seasons in the hoof care calendar. The ground changes. The grass changes. And the hooves feel all of it.

For Australian horse owners, the transition from winter to spring brings a specific set of hoof challenges. Ground that was soft and wet for months begins to harden. Grass that was dormant starts growing fast, loaded with sugars that peak early in the season. Anything the hoof was dealing with through winter tends to show up more clearly as the conditions shift from Winter to Spring.

Getting ahead of these changes rather than reacting to them makes a significant difference to the quality of your horse's hooves through the warmer months ahead. Here is what to look for and what to do about it.

Spring Grass and Laminitis: The Biggest Hoof Risk of the Season

Horses grazing ryegrass pastures - high-sugar spring growth increases laminitis risk for hoof health.

No conversation about horse hooves in spring is complete without addressing laminitis. It is the most serious hoof condition that spring pasture can trigger.

As grass grows rapidly in spring, it accumulates high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), including sugars, starches, and fructans. These are the compounds that, in excess, disrupt blood flow to the sensitive laminae inside the hoof capsule. When the laminae become inflamed, the result is laminitis: painful, potentially severe, and in serious cases capable of causing permanent structural changes inside the hoof.

The risk is not constant throughout the day or the season. Fructan levels peak on sunny days following cold nights, and early in the spring flush when grass is growing most rapidly.  Australian conditions, with their patterns of heavy rain followed by warm sunshine, create exactly the environment where this risk runs high.

Any horse or pony can develop pasture associated laminitis. Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID, also known as Cushing's disease) are at significantly higher risk. Native breeds, easy keepers, overweight horses, and any horse with a previous laminitis episode need careful pasture management as spring arrives.

Key signs ️➡ You may notice:  gait slows, heat in the hooves, a bounding digital pulse in the lower leg, reluctance to move normally, and a stance where the horse shifts weight back to take pressure off the front feet. Remove from pasture immediately and call your veterinarian without delay.

Do not assume your horse is safe because previous springs have passed without incident. Conditions vary year to year, and a horse can develop laminitis for the first time at any age.

Read more👉  Read our full guide to laminitis in horses

What Happens to Horse Hooves as Winter Ends

Beyond laminitis, the changes from winter conditions to spring puts horse hooves through a series of physical changes. Understanding what is normal helps you catch what is not.

Ground Hardening

Horse hooves that have been working through wet, soft ground all winter are suddenly loading differently as the ground dries and firms up. The mechanical forces change with every stride. For horses with thin soles, low heels, or compromised hoof structure from months of wet conditions, this transition can cause discomfort.

If your horse is moving less freely on harder ground in spring and there is no other obvious cause, sole sensitivity is worth considering. Involve your farrier if the issue persists or worsens.

Hoof Wall Cracks

Horse hooves expand in wet conditions and contract as they dry. After a wet winter, this repeated movement places stress on the outer hoof wall. As hooves dry out in spring, surface cracks are common, typically appearing as fine vertical lines in the wall or beginning at the ground surface and tracking upward.

Horses hoof surface cracking from wet-to-dry conditions, spring weather cycles can compromise hoof wall integrity.

Superficial cracks that do not involve sensitive inner structures are manageable with consistent farriery and attention to your horse's environment. Any crack that deepens, widens, or is accompanied by lameness needs professional assessment promptly.

Read more 👉 Hoof Wall Cracks in Horses

Frog Shedding

Spring is one of the most common times for horse hooves to shed the frog.  As the environment transitions from wet to drier conditions, old frog material sloughs away to reveal new tissue beneath.  In a healthy hoof this is a completely normal process.

The horse's frog shedding with the change of season - a normal part of the spring hoof renewal cycle.

Normal frog shedding produces rubbery flaps of old material that peel away cleanly. The new frog beneath should be firm, even in colour, and free of odour. Note: if the newly exposed frog tissue has black pockets, get onto that straight away.

Read more 👉 Frog and Sole Shedding in Horses: Normal or Thrush?

Frog and Sole Infections Lingering From Winter

A wet winter creates ideal conditions for frog, sole, and white line infections to establish. Horse hooves that were in consistently wet paddocks, muddy yards, or on saturated ground for months may reveal issues in spring that were not obvious through winter conditions.

As the ground starts to warm, those same hooves can look worse before they look better. Discolouration, soft or crumbly frog material, and an unpleasant smell are signs that something has been lingering beneath the surface. Pick out hooves carefully at the start of spring and note anything that has changed in texture, colour, or smell since winter.

Horse hoof overdue for a trim.  Regular farrier visits are essential for spring hoof maintenance.

Key signs:  A frog that appears grey, black, or chalky with soft, uneven texture and an unpleasant smell is not normal shedding. This warrants a closer look and, if it does not improve with better conditions, professional advice.

White Line and Seedy Toe

Wet conditions soften the white line, the junction between the hoof wall and the sole, making it more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal invasion. Horse hooves that spent winter in consistently wet environments may show white line compromise in spring: separation, dark staining, or a powdery texture when the area is cleaned out.

Hoof wall separation coming out of winter. Consistent hoof care routines help support recovery as conditions improve

Catching white line issues early, before they track further up the hoof wall, is far more straightforward than managing an established case of seedy toe. If your farrier identifies any separation or softening at the white line in the first trim of spring, follow their advice closely and stay on top of your hoof hygiene routine between visits.

Read more 👉 White Line Disease and Seedy Toe in Horses

 The Hoof Co - Beeswax Blue Balls Hoof Wall Crevice wax

Greasy Heel

Greasy heel (also referred to as mud fever or pastern dermatitis) affects the skin at the back of the heel and pastern.  It can thrive in the wet, muddy conditions of winter in many parts of Australia, which is why the late winter to early spring period is when it most commonly appears or worsens.

Signs include crusty scabs at the back of the pastern, redness, swelling, and in more established cases, heat and pain. Horses with white or pink skin on their lower legs are more susceptible, though any horse can be affected.

Management focuses on keeping the area clean and as dry as possible, gently removing scabs to allow your efforts to reach the skin beneath, and protecting the regenerating tissue while it recovers. Reducing time in wet and muddy ground is the single most important factor in preventing recurrence.

If greasy heel keeps returning despite good environmental management, it is worth looking beyond the paddock. Mycotoxins present in pasture can compromise immune function and skin integrity, contributing to persistent cases. Ensuring adequate minerals, particularly copper and zinc, also support skin health.

Read more 👉 Mycotoxins in Pasture: How to Identify Paspalum Ergot

Spring Hoof Care Checklist

Before spring is fully underway, work through the following on all four hooves:

• Pick out and inspect carefully, noting any changes in texture, colour, or smell since winter.

• Check the frog for signs of normal shedding versus deeper issues. New frog tissue should be firm, even in colour, and odour free.

• Check the white line for separation, dark staining, or softness.

• Assess the hoof wall for new surface cracks as the ground begins to dry.

• Check the digital pulse in each lower leg regularly. A bounding pulse, particularly in a horse with access to spring pasture, is a red flag.

• Check the heel and pastern area on all four legs for early signs of greasy heel or rough areas.

• Book a farrier appointment if one is not already scheduled. The first trim of spring is one of the most valuable of the year.

• Review grazing management before the grass flush hits. Limit or strip-graze spring pasture for higher-risk horses.

Spring Skin: What to Check Above the Knee

While the hoof and lower leg are the priority in spring, it is worth doing a full skin check when rugs come off for the season. Warm temperatures, lingering moisture, and the physical contact of a winter rug create conditions where skin issues can develop.

Rain Scald

Rain scald is caused by the organism Dermatophilus congolensis and typically affects the topline, back, rump, and neck. It presents as matted tufts of hair with crusty scabs beneath. Horses rugged through winter can develop rain scald in areas where the rug sits if conditions underneath were consistently damp.

Zinc Putty as a cosmetic topical barrier for horses in wet spring conditions.

When rugs come off in spring, run your hands over the entire body and check under any areas where the rug makes contact. Mild cases often respond well to management changes: improved airflow, reduced moisture exposure, and gentle cleansing of the affected skin. More persistent or spreading cases should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Other Spring Skin Conditions

As warmer weather arrives, so do insects and with them, increased skin irritation, insect bite reactions, and sensitivities like Queensland itch. Horses that were clipped or rugged through winter may also reveal areas of dry, flaky, or unsettled skin once exposed to the elements again.

A good cleansing wash at the start of spring is a simple way to assess your horse's skin condition and catch any areas that need extra attention early in the season.

Important: Rain scald and greasy heel are caused by the same organism and can spread between horses through shared grooming tools and equipment. Keep these separate if more than one horse on your property is affected.

Frequently Asked Questions: Horse Hooves in Spring

Why do horse hooves crack in spring?

Horse hooves crack in spring primarily because of the rapid transition from wet winter conditions to drier ground. Hooves expand when wet and contract as they dry. After months of wet conditions, this repeated movement weakens the outer hoof wall, and surface cracks appear as hooves dry out. Nutritional gaps, particularly in biotin, zinc, methionine, and copper, reduce the structural quality of hoof horn and increase the likelihood of cracking. Any crack that deepens, widens, or causes lameness needs professional assessment.

A hoof conditioner can help maintain moisture balance as conditions change 👉 Hoof Balm

Why do horses get laminitis in spring in Australia?

Spring grass in Australia accumulates high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), including fructans, as it grows rapidly after winter. When horses consume large amounts of these compounds, it can disrupt blood flow to the laminae inside the hoof, triggering laminitis. The risk is highest on sunny days following cold nights, when fructan levels in grass peak. Horses with EMS or PPID are at significantly greater risk but any horse can be affected.

What are the signs of laminitis in horses?

Early signs of laminitis include heat in the hooves, a bounding digital pulse in the lower leg, and subtle changes in movement or stance. As laminitis progresses, the horse becomes reluctant to walk normally and may shift weight onto the hindquarters to take pressure off the front feet. Any horse showing these signs should be removed from pasture immediately and a veterinarian contacted. Do not wait to see if it resolves on its own.  Laminitis is always an emergency.

Is my horse's frog shedding normal in spring?

Frog shedding in spring is normal. As the environment transitions from wet to drier conditions, old frog material peels away to reveal new tissue beneath. Normal shedding produces rubbery flaps that come away cleanly, leaving firm, even-coloured frog tissue free of odour. If the newly exposed tissue is grey, soft, crumbly, or has an unpleasant smell, that is not normal shedding and warrants closer attention.

What is greasy heel in horses and how is it treated?

Greasy heel is a condition affecting the skin at the back of the heel and pastern, associated with wet and muddy conditions. It presents as crusty scabs, redness, and swelling at the back of the pastern and is common in late winter and early spring. Keeping the area clean and dry, and gently removing scabs to allow airflow, is an important part of management. Barrier creams high in Zinc Oxide are a popular choice for protecting the skin in affected areas. Horses with white or pink skin on their lower legs are more susceptible, but any horse can develop it.

How do I prepare my horse's hooves for spring?

Start with a thorough inspection of all four hooves. Check the frog, sole, white line, and hoof wall for any changes from winter.

• Pick, cleanse, and repeat regularly
• Check the digital pulse in each lower leg
• Book a farrier visit if one isn't already scheduled
• Review grazing management before the spring flush arrives, particularly for horses with any laminitis risk
• Address moisture-related skin and hoof issues early, before ground conditions change rapidly

 Your farrier is the first point of call for any changes in your horse's hoof health.

 

When should I call the vet about my horse's hooves in spring?

Call your veterinarian immediately if your horse shows signs of laminitis, including heat in the hooves, a bounding digital pulse, or reluctance to move normally. Also seek veterinary advice for significant lameness without a clear cause, any hoof or lower leg condition that is worsening despite management, or any situation where you are unsure what you are looking at. Acting early is always the better call.

Not sure what you're looking at but know something isn't right?  Drop us a line and see if we can help.

 

 

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