How to Trim Hoofs

The health of a horse's hooves directly affects its ability to perform normal activities as well as its ability to perform recreational or sporting tasks. The hoof also dictates the overall conformation and soundness of the horse. According to Heather Smith Thomas, in "Understanding Equine Hoof Care," a horse typically needs its hooves trimmed every four to 10 weeks, depending upon its individual growth rate.

Things You'll Need

  • Apron or chaps
  • Hoof pick
  • Hoof knife
  • Nippers
  • Hoof rasp
  • Calipers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Observe the horse as it walks and trots. Carefully note whether each leg moves straight and off the center of the toe as it should, or off to one side and unbalanced, which indicates uneven wear of the hooves. When the horse is standing, examine the leg and foot position to determine if the body weight is supported in a comfortable, balanced manner. Uneven hoof wear can cause discomfort and imbalance in the horse's posture.

    • 2

      Put on either a heavy apron or chaps for added protection and grip. That will allow you to hold the horse's foot securely between your knees as you work. Stand close to the horse's side, run your hand down the leg and gently squeeze the back tendon at the ankle or "fetlock" joint, encouraging the horse to lift its foot. Lean forward and hold the horse's front hooves firmly between your bended knees, and the rear hooves securely across your lap.

    • 3

      Remove the shoes. Clean each hoof using a hoof pick, removing dirt and muck out of the cleft, and in between the sole and the "frog," which is the hard, frog-shaped center portion of the hoof. Use a hoof knife to remove dead tissue along the sole of the foot. Clean the cleft from heel to toe.

    • 4

      Trim and smooth the shedding portion of the frog using a hoof knife or nippers, if needed. If the foot is healthy, the frog may need nothing other than mild smoothing and removal of loose pieces around the foot. Trim as little as possible from the sole.

    • 5

      Follow a straight line from heel to toe, and trim each hoof wall according to its proper foot angle using the nippers. An adult horse should generally have approximately 3 inches to 3-3/4 inches of hoof. If the horse will not be shod, leave an extra one-quarter inch of the hoof wall projecting below the sole.

    • 6

      Tightly clasp the hoof between your knees. With both hands and applying even pressure, use the hoof rasp to level the bottom of the hoof wall and to smooth the hoof's outer edges. Use the calipers to measure the symmetry of the horse's hooves.