Instructions
Examine the hoof for chips, cracks or splays in the hoof wall. Decide if they are severe enough to merit filing. Remember that filing should only be done under extreme circumstances, such as when you fear a small chip might turn into a large crack before your horse's next scheduled farrier visit.
Pick up the horse's foot to prepare to file it. If you cannot comfortably hold your horse's foot for at least a minute at a time, you should not attempt to file the foot. Not all horses will stand quietly with one foot in the air, meaning filing their hooves is better left to a professional farrier.
Put on protective gloves, such as leather, and grasp the rasp firmly in your hand. Rasps are very sharp and can lead to severe cuts on your hands. Never handle a rasp without wearing proper protective gloves. Because rasps are a heavier metal tool, they can be difficult for some people to comfortably handle. If you cannot comfortably maneuver the rasp, do not proceed with filing your horse's feet.
File any chips, cracks or splays on the outer hoof wall very slowly and very carefully. Rasps can quickly take off much more of the hoof wall then you intended, so your goal is to apply very light pressure. You can always make a second pass, if you did not successfully smooth out the problem area the first time.
Avoid filing across the sole or heels on the bottom of the horse's hoof. It is very difficult to maintain even pressure when attempting this step, meaning it should be left to professionals who have experience in this area. Trying to file the sole or heels could lead to an uneven hoof, meaning you will have created more of a problem then you tried to solve initially.
How to File a Miniature Horse's Feet
Miniature horses have the same hoof structure as larger horses, just on a smaller scale. All horses should be seen by a professional farrier every six to eight weeks to ensure that the hooves are trimmed and filed properly. Training to be a farrier is very difficult work; horse owners that have never had any professional training should never attempt to do their own farrier work. However, between regularly scheduled farrier visits, it is acceptable for horse owners to use a rasp to very carefully file any cracks or flares in the hoof wall to help it maintain a round shape. Rounding the hoof wall is very important for helping the horse remain sound, according to W.J. Tomlinson, an American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman Farrier.