Hoof care starts as an essential part of the grooming process. Grooming your horse keeps her looking her best, but also helps to keep her healthy. While some horses enjoy being groomed, others can be somewhat resistant. Some horses especially do not like to have their feet lifted for proper hoof care. This is critical to the horse’s well-being though, and hoof care should never be ignored or glossed over. If your horse is young, establish a positive routine of hoof care by touching her hooves frequently and praising her when she is docile. This will help ensure better behavior if she develops a problem that needs extensive care.
Even if your horse is normally happy while being groomed, be sure to take the appropriate safety precautions when grooming your horse or performing any kind of hoof care. Always be sure his halter is securely in place and attached to crossties on both sides.
Using a hoof pick, clean each hoof carefully, to remove any debris or sharp stones. Dirty hooves can lead to infections like thrush, which can have serious consequences. The easiest way to check and clean her hooves is to stand next to your horse’s shoulder, facing her. As you run your hand down her leg, she will likely lift her foot for you. If she doesn’t, you will need to lean against her to tip her slightly off balance in order to be able to lift her hoof. Your hoof pick does not need to be sharp to be effective; a blunt hoof pick is actually safer for your horse. Be sure to clean the frog area, which may be tender if the horse has had a recent infection. When moving from one leg to another, be sure to talk to and reassure your horse. It is important to keep your hand on her body and move it along with you, so that she is not startled by a sudden touch. When moving from one side of the horse to the other, always move around the front of your horse; never walk
behind her.
While cleaning your horse’s hooves, be on the lookout for any signs of injury or infection. A very common and easily treatable infection is thrush. Signs of thrush can include dark discharge oozing from the frog, usually accompanied by a foul odor. Early detection and treatment is important in eliminating thrush. Look also for signs of cracks or punctures. Cracks often necessitate a call to the farrier for treatment. Punctures always require a call to the vet. Never try to remove something that is puncturing your horse’s hoof!
Developing a good relationship with a farrier will go a long way to ensuring good hoof care. Most horses need to visit the farrier about every six to eight weeks, although each horse is different. Start with visits at these intervals, and then discuss with your farrier whether your horse may need to be checked more or less often. The key to good hoof care is prevention; care for your horse’s hooves regularly and they will stay healthy.
