Hoof Care 101: Let Your Horse Walk and Gallop without Pain

Why Do Horses Need Foot Care?

Foot care is extremely important for horses since caring for hooves will help them stay good and healthy and able to carry heavy weights and withstand traction. Without regular care, they can start feeling pain and discomfort, which may lead to some serious injuries.

How to Care for Them?

First things first, you should know that horse foot care is completely different from shoeing. Horse feet care consists of three main things, and that’s trimming, cleaning and monitoring. All of this is paramount for having a healthy, well-performing and comfortable horse. A well-balanced diet is one of the first things you can provide, as this aids in the growth of healthy hooves. Aside from this, there are other things that you should undertake.

Keep the Hoof Area Clean

Exposure to wet or dirty conditions can lead to hoof infections, which is why keeping them dry and clean is one of the first things you should do. Except for washing and drying the hoof, you should ensure that the wet or soiled bedding is regularly mucked out of the stable. Avoiding poaching during wet weather conditions is also a good way to help your horse have healthy hooves.

Inspect for Hoof Cracks

One of the most common problems horses face is dry and cracked hoof caused by frequent changes from wet to dry weather. Longer toes and irregular trimming are also common causes for this condition, as well as poor hoof health/condition, which is something some horses are born with.

Fortunately, this can be treated by providing good horse foot care, starting by applying a good hoof moisturizer, especially during dry weather and when there are signs of cracked hoof. And most importantly, don’t forget to trim your horse’s hooves regularly, as failing to do so can also contribute to this condition.

Moisturize Them Regularly

As already mentioned, the change in weather and in moisture levels in the hoof wall mean that the horse’s hoof will crack and lead to abscesses as well. Avoiding this is essential and can be easily done by regularly applying a good hoof moisturizer or hoof oils. It’s recommended to do this once or twice a day to keep them soft and supple.

Applying them is crucial especially after picking hooves out, as this will keep them safe and moisturized all day long. Speaking of good hoof care for horses, experienced farriers recommend applying oil on a horse’s feet if they have been out all night. Once they come in and are still dew, apply oil immediately as this will help them keep moisturized.

In case the hooves are dry, spray them with the hose a bit and apply the oil so that the moisture will lock in better. In case the soles of your horse’s hooves are too soft and bruise easily, you can try applying iodine or a hoof hardener.

Pick Out a Horse’s Feet

Picking out horse feet should be done on a daily basis, as this will keep dirt and debris away. Practice has shown that a buildup of these materials can lead to thrush, which in some cases can be the cause of more serious conditions. When picking them out regularly, you’ll be able to identify if there’s anything wrong with them.

This can also help you see if the shoes are too loose or if there are some signs of cracks and bruises. Doing this regularly will help you prevent some more serious things from occurring to your horse, which is quite important. Keep in mind that for performing such a thing you’ll need a hoof pick, grooming kit, sweat scraper, spray and a first aid kit. But if you are a beginner and don’t know what exactly you need for your horse, make sure to consult with a more experienced farrier.

Keep the Hooves Balanced

According to horse farriers, horses with balanced hooves walk better and have less stress and pain on the ligaments, bones and tendons. A good hoof should have a straight hoof-pastern angle, i.e. a straight line from the pastern down through the hoof wall’s front.

The toes shouldn’t be too long, and more importantly they should be squared, rounded or rolled as this will help horses move easily. The horse should also have good heel support, so that the shoe can extend back to the end of the hoof wall while supporting the entire leg’s back part. And lastly, when the horse walks the foot should also land evenly from side to side.

How Often Should a Horse’s Feet Be Trimmed?

Summer

During summertime, horses need trimming every 6 to 8 weeks, while show horses might need more frequent trimming.

Winter

Practice shows that horse hooves grow slowly in winter, which is why it’s recommended to trim them every 6 to 12 weeks.