How to Make Your Horse's Hooves Shine

Cleaning and moisturizing preparations will condition hooves, but won't make them shine. Generally, equine hoof polish is used for the show ring to make your horse's hooves shine and create a good impression on the judges. Use black hoof polish for a horse with black or dark grey hooves and clear polish for an Appaloosa, paint or a horse with white or striped hooves. Applying a hoof polish enhancer will seal the polish and provide extra gloss. Following the show, it's important to remove the polish and rub a conditioner onto the hoof for moisturizing and protection.

Things You'll Need

  • Hoof pick
  • Hoof knife
  • Bucket
  • Warm water
  • Mild soap
  • Clean towel
  • Plastic gloves
  • Hoof polish
  • Hoof polish enhancer
  • Ankle-high pantyhose
  • Spray-on hoof polish remover
  • Hoof conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean your horse's hooves using the hoof pick. Remove dirt and debris from the cleft and between the sole and frog. Use the hoof knife to remove dead tissue along the sole of the foot and clean the cleft from heel to toe.

    • 2

      Move your horse to an area with concrete flooring and accessibility to a water hose.

    • 3

      Fill the bucket with warm water. Moisten a clean towel with the water, wring it out and apply a small amount of mild soap.

    • 4

      Clean your horse's hooves rubbing them with the soapy towel and removing excess dirt.

    • 5

      Spray the hooves with the water hose to remove the soap and dry them off thoroughly with a clean, dry towel.

    • 6

      Put on the plastic gloves and shake the hoof polish well.

    • 7

      Apply the hoof polish to the horse's hoof wall using the enclosed applicator. Ensure you use one even stroke from the coronet band to the bottom of the hoof.

    • 8

      Apply a second coat and allow it to dry completely --- approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the polish applicator while you wait.

    • 9

      Seal the polish with the hoof polish enhancer by spraying it over the entire hoof wall and allow it to dry.

    • 10

      Pull pantyhose over each hoof to protect the polish from dirt and scuffing.

    • 11

      Clean your horse's hooves after the show. Ensure you remove dirt and muck from the soles using the hoof pick and knife.

    • 12

      Lead your horse to the concrete area with the water hose.

    • 13

      Remove the polish after the show to prevent it from drying out the hoof using the hoof polish remover. Spray it over each hoof and rinse it off using the water hose.

    • 14

      Massage a hoof moisturizer into your horse's hooves to ensure you restore their natural moisture balance. Concentrating on the coronary band at the top of the hoof wall will encourage a healthy periople and promote hoof growth (see References 1 and 5).