Hooves Across The Highlands: How Hoof Care Differs Between Scotland and England

Hoof care isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, and where a horse lives can make a big difference to how their feet are managed. Across the UK, climate, terrain and pasture conditions create very different challenges – and these directly affect how hooves grow and stay healthy.

To get a closer look at these regional differences, we spoke with newly qualified equine podiatrist Laura Evans. Based in rural Argyll on Scotland’s west coast, Laura works tirelessly to support owners and their horses, navigating the unique challenges of this wet, rugged landscape.

When Hoof Care Goes the Distance

Laura recently qualified as an equine podiatrist and is a member of the Equine Podiatry Association.  Her farm in Campbeltown is a lively mix, home to six horses, 2 donkeys, five chickens, a cat and a dog. She manages around 50 clients across Scotland, including her own animals, and is also trained in hoof boot fitting. And on top of all that, she’s been a police officer for 23 years. Her busy workload really shows the scale of need in such a sparsely populated, but geographically vast, region.

“Out here, even though there are three fully qualified equine podiatrists in Argyll, we’re often several hours apart. Geography makes a huge difference – even five podiatrists would still be too few for Argyll,” she explains.

This distance creates challenges quite different from those further south, where clients and podiatrists tend to be closer together and more concentrated.

Laura Evans at work.

Why Scottish Hooves Have It Tough

Weather really shapes a horse’s feet, and Scotland is well-known for its vast rainfall year-round. The constantly soft, waterlogged ground creates a very different environment compared to the generally drier South of England. However, Laura points out that a lot of hoof issues up in Scotland aren’t just about the foot itself – they’re often symptoms of wider problems like diet, hormones or overall health.

“We see a lot of things like thrush or bruising,” she says, “but they’re usually linked to nutrition or metabolic issues. Still, the wet climate definitely creates more challenges  – it softens the soles and often reduces stimulation of the digital cushion, which weakens the whole foot structure.”

Soft, squelchy ground stops the frog from making proper contact with the earth. And the frog isn’t just another bit of anatomy – it’s essential for stimulating the digital cushion, which in turn strengthens the hoof and lower limb structures. Without that pressure and movement, frogs get weak and ‘weedy,’ leaving the horse more prone to bruising, abscesses and longer-term hoof problems.

Hills vs Flat Fields

Scotland’s natural landscape was one step ahead, with undulating hills helping horses escape these wet, lower pastures. Breeds like Shetlands and Highland ponies evolved in this hilly terrain, naturally moving to drier spots when fields became waterlogged.

“Historically, these horses wouldn’t have just stood at the bottom of a hill near a gate,” Laura explains. “They’d move up and manage to get out of the wet areas themselves.”

Nowadays, most domestic pastures are flatter and wetter, and even hardy breeds can struggle with prolonged soggy ground. However solutions like hard-standing areas, surface tracks, or varied terrain within a field where possible can help replicate those natural conditions, encouraging healthy foot development and keeping horses from standing in the wet for too long.

When Shoes Come Off

Of course, not all hoof problems come down to the weather. Laura points out that thin-soled horses often struggle the most in wet conditions, no matter the breed. Some are naturally built that way, while others may develop thinner soles after years of shoeing.

“A horse that’s been shod for most of its life might have contracted heels, thin soles and weaker frogs,” she explains. “When you take the shoes off – especially here in Scotland’s wet environment – it adds another layer of challenge to the transition.”

Switching to barefoot takes patience and careful management. Laura often uses hoof boots and varied surfaces to support horses as their feet adapt, turning the environment from a hurdle into a helping hand.

Spotting Early Warning Signs

Owners are often the first line of defence when it comes to spotting potential hoof problems in their horses. Laura stresses the importance of knowing your individual horse and handling their feet regularly.

“You need to know what normal looks like for your horse,” she says. “Pick up their feet every day, feel for digital pulses and notice how easily they lift each limb. Any little change can be a sign something’s starting.”

Laura explains that some signs, like white line separation or bruising, aren’t pre-emptive – they’re usually the result of an underlying issue, such as bacteria entering weak spots or inflammation from diet or management.

“A horse with new white line separation has already developed the condition internally. The sooner owners understand normal foot anatomy and movement, the quicker we can intervene.”

Forage, Nutrition and Climate Change

Hoof health isn’t just about the foot itself – what goes into your horse matters just as much as what’s on the ground. Forage quality is key, and extreme weather can completely alter grass growth and nutrient content, which in turn affects hoof integrity.

This year, southern England faced prolonged dry spells, poor hay harvests and soaring prices. Scotland, meanwhile, had its own challenge: scorching sun followed by torrential rain, causing rapid grass growth with high sugar content.

“We saw more horses showing signs of laminitis because the grass became so rich in sugars,” Laura explains. “Nutrition changes with climate and season, and even small imbalances can create problems like thrush, bruising, or weakened soles – especially in our wetter pastures.”

Practical Solutions for Scottish Hooves

In Scotland, hoof problems often need environmental solutions just as much as trimming. Laura highlights several practical measures that can make a big impact:

• Surfaced tracks to lift horses feet off wet ground
• Open, well-maintained barns to reduce standing in faeces and urine in smaller confined stables
• Varied terrain to stimulate the sole and frog naturally
• Regularly checking and cleaning hooves, especially during prolonged wet periods to expose any bacteria to the air

Research backs this up. Ida Hammer from the Illinois Hoofcare Programme found that soaking hooves significantly weakens thin-soled horses, increasing the risk of bruising and abscess formation – exactly the conditions many Scottish horses face.

“If a horse with thin soles stands in wet ground all day and then steps on stones or frozen ruts, the chance of abscesses goes through the roof,” Laura notes.

Partnering with Your Hoof Care Professional

Despite the challenges, Laura is optimistic. The key, she says, is a true partnership between horse owner and professional. Owners implement daily care routines and environmental adjustments, while podiatrists provide expertise, treatment cycles and clear guidance.

“There’s so much information online, but your equine podiatrist has the training to give accurate advice,” she says. “We leave owners with recommendations – whether it’s adjusting supplements, managing fields or cleaning and packing feet between visits.”

Tailoring Hoof Care to Individual Horses

Every horse is different. Climate, terrain, nutrition and past management all shape hoof health. Barefoot Scottish horses face different challenges than their English counterparts, but Laura emphasises the same principle: treat each horse as an individual, understand its environment, and support natural hoof function wherever possible.

“A horse in a soft, waterlogged field won’t develop the same healthier frog as one with access to a surfaced track  ,” she says. “We have to treat each horse individually, considering its history, environment, and management but also look at what is realistic for both horse and owner.”

Her approach combines observation, education, and proactive care, making even Scotland’s wet-weather hoof challenges manageable – and often preventable.

Laura’s Tips for Horse Owners:

• Know what normal looks like: handle and examine feet regularly
• Support natural hoof function: use varied terrain and surface tracks where possible – even some pea gravel at the gate or water trough can help
• Address underlying causes: diet, health, and environment all affect hoof integrity
• Work with professionals: trust trained hoof care professionals rather than relying solely on online advice
• Adapt management for climate: Scottish wet conditions differ from English dry spells

Hoof health is a partnership between horse, owner, and professional. It’s about looking at the bigger picture – climate, terrain, breed and nutrition all matter. With proactive care, even Scotland’s soggiest fields can support strong, healthy feet.

About Laura: Laura Evans is a fully qualified Equine Podiatrist based in rural Argyll, Scotland, holding a Level 5 Diploma in Equine Podiatry. Her hoof care journey began with her own horses, Ronnie and Tonto, inspiring her to explore barefoot transition, diet and environment for healthy hooves. She also offers hoof boot fitting and works closely with owners to support overall equine wellbeing.

About Red Horse Products: Red Horse Products is a UK-based company specialising in natural and effective equine care products designed to support hoof health and overall wellbeing.