As the largest structure in the hoof, the digital cushion is a vital part of the equine foot, and its health should be accounted for when considering a shoeing package. Weak digital cushions are more likely to exist alongside long toes and low heels, which can be shod in a variety of ways to support healthy growth, including with frog support, pads and glue-on options.

“If we’re going to help the digital cushion, we need to know what it is, what job it has and what affects it,” says Minnesota farrier Roy Williams with Glue-U at the 2026 International Hoof-Care Summit. “Palpating the heels can help get a feel for how the cushion is structured. If it has a firm texture and the frog is firm but elastic with good moisture content, it’s likely a healthy digital cushion.

“When disorganized, the digital cushion has a soft, mushy texture and can appear distorted. It might have volume, but it’s in the wrong place,” Williams says, meaning the heels might be underrun or deflated.

Internally, the structure of the digital cushion can be organized or disorganized, which is the main contributing factor to the cushion’s health. Williams cites a study by Michigan farrier David Hallock that identifies key aspects of the cushion’s structure and function.

Digital cushion tissue samples were stained — blue for collagen, red for keratinized tissue and clear for adipose tissue — and examined under a microscope to determine structure. 

“The lower parts of the cushion contained more collagen, while higher areas had more keratinized tissue,” Hallock says. “That tells me different regions of the cushion probably have different jobs. They work together, but they’re not designed the same.”

The Michigan State University farrier determined that an unhealthy digital cushion has the same amount of collagen and fat as a strong one, but the difference lies in organization. Disorganized cushions are weaker, while clear distinctions between collagen, keratinized tissue and fat indicate a stronger and more stable digital cushion.

For more information on digital cushions and how to support their functions, read “Supporting the Digital Cushion in a Long-Toe, Low-Heel Horse”, featured in the May/June 2026 issue of American Farriers Journal.