All four of my horses have flat soles. This has recently developed. I have had farrier problems and have used a few different farriers. 3 of the horses are older; in their twenties. One is 8. The old guys are retired and have been barefoot for years. One of them is now in front shoes because of a toe crack. The 8-year-old is barefoot because he's new and I just started riding him. He has hard feet and may or may not need shoes--he's a Quarter Horse pony--we'll see. 

The new farrier trimmed all the horses twice and left their toes too long. She came yesterday and I complained about it. She was not defensive and she addressed it. She wants to please me. I THINK they look better. It's hard to tell until they start growing out. 

One of my old guys can hardly walk now. I think she trimmed too much to shorten the toe and since he has flat soles, I don't know if there was much to trim. I feel like there was not a lot of foot but the angle was off. He tends to be tenderfooted. This is also something that developed over the years. (I've had him since he's a baby so I know his feet.) But he's walking like he's walking on glass now.

Are the farriers doing something to cause their soles to be flat? At first I was thinking it was an old horse thing, but the 8-year-old now has flat soles too. 

I am at my wit's end. What is happening here?!

Might want to invest in some X-rays. Atleast the young one. Only time my horses feet went flat is when he foundered a year ago from a steroid injection. Since he has grown a whole new foot over the past year they have much improved and he is back  to work. 

Thanks Flitastic. I might have to do that.

Last night I read about flat soles for hours. Turns out it's related to long toes and underrun or crushed heels and usually caused by poor trimming. I read that leaving toes too long will put more weight on the heel. That will cause crushed heels, where the wall starts to turn under. The heel grows slower from the weight and then the toe grows longer and exacerbates the problem. Now it all makes sense to me. Three years ago I was complaining to a farrier I had that their heels were looking "underrun." 

It's been gradual--I'm not necessarily blaming my new farrier--but has gotten worse. I don't know if she is experienced enough to correct this though she DOES want to please me. It's not just the one horse who is walking like he's walking on glass now. My other guy is too. I didn't realize it yesterday. 

JMHO but your problem can be the breeding of the horse's. 

Bring. Back the toe often and balance the rest of the hoof. Leave sole and frog alone.. feed vitamins, California trace minerals and pure DL Methionine for stronger healthy hoof. www.hoofrehab.com