7 Hoof Care Tips to maximize your Horses Health!
There is a well-worn saying, “No hoof, no horse,” which goes to show just how critical hoof care is to your horse’s overall wellbeing. Hoof care is the single most important factor in keeping your horse sound and healthy. Here are some tips for proper hoof care for horses and what to look out for.
1. Recognize your horse’s normal hoof.
Toeing the line between health and discomfort, your horse's hooves should be checked for any sign of disorder. A healthy foot will have a slightly warm feel against two fingers as you press down on their pastern; if it is not consistent in temperature or has lost its resilience then something may need attention right away! To find this important digit (the digital pulse), place both hands at ankle level where they'll come into contact with soft tissue which gives off an opposing rhythm to that found within muscle groups elsewhere on our bodies - i..e., arteries tend towards slow flows while veins deliver quick ones so by pressing hard and then you can tell the texture and firmness of a new rubber eraser when it is healthy.
2. Trim regularly.
You should get your horse’s hooves trimmed regularly by a farrier or blacksmith. Six-to-eight weeks is the average — however, it depends on your horse’s hoof growth rate. In the summer, you may need more frequent farrier visits, but in the winter, you may need less.
When you take your horse to the farrier, they do more than just trimming their hooves. First of all, it ensures that balance is maintained in every footstep taken by ensuring proper posture and positioning throughout daily activities such as cantering or grazing on grassland; secondly but certainly not least importantly-the integrity & general health status (i know this sounds like an odd one)of ALL structural components whether internal/ex external including nails fungus ingrown hairs etc., which makes a huge difference
3. Care for your horse’s hooves daily.
Having a farrier regularly visit does not let you off the hook for your horse’s hoof care! You should pick out your horse’s hooves on a daily basis. At a minimum, pick their hooves out before and after you ride to remove any stones, sticks, caked mud, or other small objects. If you want your horse's feet to stay clean, healthy, and happy then it is important that they are checked regularly. Repeat this process several times per day or when bringing them in at night time - whichever comes first! Once everything has been cleaned well with the pick and brush there should be an inspection where I can check on how much wear their shoes have had over recent weeks/ months etc., while also checking whether all parts of our body (especially around any joints) hurt due
4. Provide a healthy diet.
Maintaining a horse’s nutrition can help to avoid or alleviate some hoof issues. Green pasture is often the ideal meal with the protein, vitamins, and minerals a horse needs. If you don’t have a sufficient quality pasture available, feeding good quality hay and supplementing with recommended vitamins and trace minerals can be equally effective in maintaining good health. To ensure your horse’s feet are in optimal condition, it is important they have access to clean freshwater and a good diet. You can supply them with supplements containing biotin (a vitamin found naturally on plants), iodine or methionine which will help promote strong nails that don't grow too long but still need regular trimming every other month!
5. Get regular exercise.
Regular exercise is a must — for both your horse and yourself. Exercise promotes overall good health and also supports the condition of their hooves as it increases circulation and promotes good growth. Make sure you have a nice, smooth surface for your horse to walk and trot on. This will keep them happy so they can be as active of an animal as possible!
6. Provide a good pasture.
The type of soil in which you live can make all the difference for your horse. For example, turning out a green pasture-fed animal will provide them with better diet and healthier shoes than an otherwise similar looking one whose food source is just dirt or grass hay fields without any supplementation whatsoever!
In addition to this great benefit provided by their grazing environment there's another thing that sets these two apart: wetter pastures mean less time spent picking hooves each day due diligence needed when watching over such small creatures so close together; whereas drier places might require frequent baths instead because they're mostly made up water sources.
7. Protect the hooves during transport.
Be careful when hauling your horse to protect them from injury. Keep their hooves covered during transport in order not to have the animal step on any nails that may be sticking out of its shoe, which could cause pain or even infection if left untreated! You should also consider using bells around each leg as a safety measure since they can get tangled with items easily while moving through crowds of people and vehicles alike; this will make it easier for you (and others) to spot whenever something starts wrong.
Horse Hooves Require Regular Attention
A horse’s hooves require regular care and attention. Ideally, you should clean and examine your horse’s hooves daily. You can have a horse with sound feet and strong legs if you take the time to check them each year.
A farrier should be on hand at all times, but it's easy enough for anyone in your household or neighbors who are willing (and not too busy!)to help out when something goes wrong!
What to Look for with Your Horse’s Hooves
When you regularly clean and inspect your horse’s hooves, you can get an early start on finding any problems. These issues can become very serious, so if you do find any problems, reach out to your farrier and vet right away.
Good hoof balance
This is something your farrier will regularly look for, but you should also get used to seeing what it looks like. You should see a straight line from the pastern down the front of the hoof wall with a toe that is not too long and is rounded or squared. The shoe should extend back to the end of the hoof wall and the hoof should land evenly from side to side while your horse is walking.
Good shoeing and trimming
Look for long toes and collapsed heels or short toes and long heels, both of which cause strain.
Hoof cracks
There are three different types of hoof cracks. These could be horizontal cracks, or blowouts, usually caused by an injury to the coronary band. Grass cracks are often seen in unshod horses. Sand cracks form from an injury to the coronary band or white-line disease that breaks out on the coronary band.
Blowouts are often caused by weather (either excessively dry weather or frequent changes from wet to dry) or trimming intervals that are too long. Hoof moisturizer, good nutrition with hoof supplements, and increased hoof trimming should help. For grass cracks, trimming and shoeing your horse can correct them. Sand cracks may result in lameness and will require working with your vet to determine the cause of the cracks and remove it. Treatment may include not letting your horse bear weight on the damaged hoof and patching the crack. It can take 9 - 12 months to grow it out.
Hot nail or street nail
When a hot nail or any foreign object is driven into the structures of the hoof wall, it will usually cause lameness. This is an emergency and you should contact your vet immediately. Treatment generally involves flushing the area with antiseptic and packing the hole or bandaging the foot. A tetanus booster is advised.
Thrush
Thrush is a foul-smelling oozy black liquid that will show around the frog. It’s generally due to wet, soiled conditions. Thrush is serious because it can cause lameness as it invades the sensitive tissues of the hoof. Keeping barn stalls clean and dry helps to eliminate this problem.
Abscess
This hoof sole infection can lead to severe sudden lameness. It can be caused by bruising, trauma, or a foreign body. In order to treat abscesses, the foreign body should be removed and soak the hoof in warm water with Epsom salt. Then keep the hoof bandaged, dry, and clean.
Additionally, if you notice any inflammation, rotation, or an unusual gate, notify your farrier and vet right away.
If you notice the heat, swelling, a change in gait, or changes in your horses’ digital pulse, you’ll want to contact your vet or farrier immediately. Knowing how to properly care for your horse’s hooves and what issues to look for is key to your horse’s health and wellbeing. Keeping your horse healthy and happy requires the partnership of you, your vet, and your farrier. This partnership will result in the health and happiness of your horse.
