Rocker shoes have a curved ground surface that allows the hoof to roll smoothly during movement. | Courtesy Raul BrassLaminitis remains one of the most challenging and painful conditions affecting horses. When inflammation or metabolic disturbances weaken the lamellaethe structures that suspend the coffin bone (third or distal phalanx, or P3) within the hoof capsulethat bone can rotate or sink, leading to pain, instability, and long-term damage. Alongside medical treatment, proper hoof care and mechanical support help stabilize the foot and support recovery.During his presentation at the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10, in Denver, Colorado, Ramon Batalla, DVM, with Podologa Equina, in Costa Rica, described how rocker shoes can improve hoof biomechanics and help reduce mechanical stress in laminitic hooves.Mechanical Support for Laminitic HorsesOnce lamellar support is compromised, the coffin bone can shift within the capsule, creating instability and abnormal force distribution during the stride cycle. These altered mechanics increase strain on already compromised tissues, Batalla explained.Successful farriery focuses on stabilizing the distal phalanx, reducing pain, and redistributing load toward structures better able to tolerate weight-bearing. By improving how forces are shared within the foot, mechanical support can reduce stress on the damaged lamellae and help guide more uniform hoof growth during recovery, said Batalla.Rocker Shoes and Hoof MechanicsRocker shoes have a curved ground surface that allows the hoof to roll smoothly during movement. Unlike traditional flat shoes with a rolled or beveled toe, rocker shoes have continuous curvature along the ground surface of the shoe.This design effectively shortens the lever arm at the toe and allows breakover to occur earlier and with less resistance, reducing the mechanical load applied to the dorsal (front) lamellae, Batalla said. By decreasing the effort needed to lift the heels during breakover, rocker shoes can also reduce tension in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), which runs down the back of the limb and inserts into the bottom of the coffin bone.In laminitic horses, limiting excessive flexor tension and toe leverage becomes particularly important because these forces further contribute to coffin bone displacement. Rocker shoes help by allowing the foot to transition more smoothly through the stance phase, Batalla added.Proper Trimming and RadiographsApplying rocker shoes correctly requires careful trimming and radiographic guidance. In many cases the farrier or equine podiatrist trims back the heels to the widest part of the frog. This helps realign the hoof capsule relative to its internal structures and improve weight distribution across the foot, Batalla said.Because trimming the heels can influence palmar angle (the angle of the coffin bone relative to the ground), farriers and equine podiatrists might use wedge pads with rocker shoes when necessary to maintain appropriate alignment and provide additional structural support, said Batalla.Improving load distribution across the sole might also help restore healthier perfusion (oxygenated blood delivery) within the foot. When P3 rotates, pressure beneath the bones apex can compromise circulation to the solar corium (the sensitive living tissue between P3 and the insensitive sole), said Batalla. Corrective shoeing that redistributes load away from overloaded areas may help restore perfusion and support more uniform hoof growth.Take-Home MessageAlthough rocker shoes are not a new concept, equine veterinary podiatrists and farriers have expanded their use as they refine laminitis treatment strategies. The technique demands skill and careful application, but it can provide meaningful biomechanical advantages in certain cases.Because laminitis varies widely in severity and underlying cause, no single treatment approach works for every horse. However, when applied appropriately, rocker shoes can help improve comfort, reduce damaging forces within the hoof, and support long-term recovery.