Hoof Care for Horses

There's an old saying, "no foot, no horse," that sums up the importance of hoof care. Neglected hooves become overgrown, diseased, cracked and prone to many other problems that result in lameness. Abscesses and infections can be fatal. Basic hoof care is a simple task that should be performed with daily grooming or, at the very least, the hoof should be cleaned and inspected once a week.

  1. Know Your Horse's Feet

    • Inspect your horse's feet and get to know what's normal. The frog should have the consistency of a new rubber eraser, unless it's shedding time, in which case it will appear dry and peeling. Take a whiff---there shouldn't be any foul odors. Look for puncture wounds, hoof cracks, wedged stones or anything else abnormal.

    Picking Feet

    • Regular picking of your horse's feet not only keeps the feet free of debris, but gives you the opportunity to check for injuries or problems. Using a hoof pick, gently remove caked mud, stones and other packed debris from around the frog. Inspect the frog for signs of thrush, a bacterial infection that produces a foul odor and a dark-colored secretion. Thrush can cause hoof damage and lameness, but is easy to treat when caught early.

    Farrier Visits

    • Regular farrier visits are important for healthy hooves. The average is every four to six weeks during the summer and slightly longer in winter. If your horse is wearing corrective shoes or is active, more frequent visits may be necessary.

    Shoes or Barefoot

    • Horses ridden regularly or are worked on hard ground need shoes to protect the hoof. Retired horses or those that spend a lot of time at pasture may not require shoes, but, in either case, your horse will need regular hoof trimming and leveling. Shoes must fit properly. Check the shoes regularly to be sure nails are holding. Loose or ill-fitting shoes can lead to muscle strain and lameness.

    Barefoot Care

    • There is a growing contingent of owners that feel barefoot is healthier for the horse, and much research is being conducted on the benefits of going shoeless. Natural hoof care, natural living conditions for the horse (without box stall confinement) and regular, specialized trimming are important aspects of healthy, bare-footed hooves.

    Grooming

    • Regular grooming is important for a healthy and happy horse. Grooming should include hoof care, especially before and after riding or driving. Picking before the ride ensures there are no stones or other debris stuck in the horse's foot that can cause irritation and soreness. Stones can become lodged between the rim and shoes, which can result in a thrown or misaligned shoe. Grooming should also involve application of hoof dressing to keep the hoof healthy.