Horse anatomy
Frog
The soft, triangle-shaped part on the bottom of the hoof. Helps with grip and shock absorption.
A closer look
The frog is the V-shaped, rubbery pad on the underside of the hoof, pointing from the heels toward the toe. It is softer than the hoof wall, with a groove along each side, called the collateral grooves, and a small cleft down the middle.
Why it matters
The frog helps the hoof grip the ground and absorbs shock with each step. A healthy frog is firm and rubbery, while a soft, smelly, or crumbly one can mean thrush, a common hoof infection.
Care tip
When you pick hooves, clean out the grooves beside the frog and the cleft in the middle without poking the frog itself, then give the hoof a quick sniff. A strong, rotten smell or black goo is a reason to tell an adult.
Common mistake
Ragged flaps of frog can look alarming, but frogs naturally shed their outer layer from time to time. Let the farrier trim them instead of pulling at them yourself.
Fun fact
The frog is thought to work like a pump, helping push blood back up the leg each time the hoof lands.