There is probably no truer adage, "No hoof, no horse." Without this solid foundation, a horse cannot perform to his potential no matter how well trained, how fit, or how athletic he might be. A steady clip-clop rhythm at the trot gives you a sense of well-being as each hoof beat chimes aloud that your horse is sound. But when that cadence becomes even slightly irregular, it is time to take note of what might be wrong.

Subtle behavioral changes often tip you off to a problem before it becomes an obvious lameness. Refusal or dislike of work in a horse which normally likes to work might indicate pain or discomfort. Tail wringing, head tossing, bucking, refusing to pick up a lead, refusing to make sudden stops, or grumpy behavior when saddled are all tip-offs to an attitude problem that could stem from pain.

Your horse speaks volumes with his body posture even when standing idle. As you observe, does he stand camped out in front as if he's trying to get the weight off his front feet? Does he point one foot more than another? Does he shift his weight from foot to foot trying to get comfortable? Under saddle, does he insist on walking on grass or dirt rather than the gravel road? Does he shorten his steps as he goes down hill? Is the lameness accentuated as he turns on a bend or a circle? Is the trot choppy and jarring?

According to many veterinarians, more than 90% of lameness in the front legs of a horse results from a problem in one or both feet. The behaviors and expressions listed previously might be your horse's way of communicating that his feet hurt. One of the more common foot problems encountered is navicular syndrome