Heel-First Landings: Why They Matter (and How Thrush Can Get in the Way)

When it comes to healthy equine movement, the way a horse’s hoof strikes the ground is a big deal--a really big deal. Ideally, horses should land heel-first, allowing the back of the hoof (especially the frog and digital cushion) to absorb the initial impact and begin the cycle of weight distribution and shock absorption.

But what happens when they start landing toe-first instead?

One common and often overlooked cause is thrush—a bacterial or fungal infection that affects the frog tissue. While thrush is sometimes dismissed as just a "smelly frog problem," it can have much deeper consequences for your horse’s health and biomechanics.

A thrush infection that has eaten through the frog into the digital cushion.

A cadaver hoof showing infection right into the digital cushion.

The frog plays a vital role in helping the horse land confidently on the back of the hoof. But when it’s infected and painful, the horse will do what any of us would do--avoid putting weight on it. That means avoiding the heel and instead shifting the landing to the toe.
This toe-first landing might seem subtle at first, but over time it can create a ripple effect throughout the horse’s body:

• The digital cushion and lateral cartilages stop getting proper stimulation, leading to atrophy and loss of shock-absorbing function.
• The joints and muscles in the legs and topline start compensating for the lack of impact absorption from the hoof.
• The stride shortens, the back tightens, and the horse begins moving with tension instead of freedom.
• Over time, chronic toe-first landings can contribute to caudal heel pain, navicular stress, and generalized body soreness or postural issues.

In short: a sore frog isn’t just a hoof problem—it’s a whole-horse problem.

Early signs of toe-first landings can be subtle. You might notice:

• A choppy, shortened stride
• A slight hesitation or flick forward of the toe at landing
• Uneven wear on the hooves
• Back or shoulder tension
• Reluctance to move freely on hard ground

​If your horse is also dealing with thrush, even mildly, it’s worth considering that the discomfort might be causing these biomechanical shifts.

When thrush is the root cause, treating the infection is step one—and Artimud is one of our go-to favorites. This clay-based antimicrobial paste is excellent for packing into the central sulcus and collateral grooves of the frog, especially when they're deep or harboring infection.

Why we like Artimud:

• It stays in place better than liquid treatments
• Fills crevices and provides a barrier against further bacterial invasion
• Promotes healing of soft, compromised frog tissue
• Gentle but effective for daily or long-term use

Regular use of Artimud, combined with good hoof hygiene and a proper trim that balances pressure in the back of the hoof, can help your horse regain comfort and confidence in landing heel-first again.

If your horse is landing toe-first, don't just look at the trim--look at the frog. Even a minor thrush infection can cause avoidance behavior that rewrites your horse’s entire way of moving. The good news? With the right trim, consistent care, and targeted treatment like Artimud, you can help your horse restore healthy function from the ground up.
Heel-first landings aren’t just ideal—they’re essential. And it all starts with a healthy, pain-free frog.