Horse Hoof Care

It has always been said that everyone needs a good foundation; horses are no exception. Taking care of your horses hooves is very important for their overall health and soundness. In this article, we will talk about how to take preventative measures to keep your horses hooves healthy.

Extremely overgrown hooves. This is a major health and soundness issue for this horse.

 Source: www.yourhorse.co.uk

Trimming is the most important management practice you can do to maintain healthy hooves. This prevents cracks in the hooves, as well as prevents the hooves from breaking off at the hoof wall, which can cause lameness. Other additional advantages to hoof trimming on a regular basis are establishing correct length, balance, and hoof angle. Also, your horse will be safer to ride because their feet will be in good shape meaning they will be less likely to fall or stumble. Preventative care is always best. Trimming should be done every 4-8 weeks dependent on your horse and should be done as closely as possible to the horse's natural state of their hooves.

Does my horse need shoes?

There are many variables to consider when determining if your horse should be shod or simply trimmed:

• health of the hoof
• use of the horse
• desired traction
• confirmation defects
• diseases and / or injuries
  

Always select shoes (if your horse needs to be shod) that will coincide with the type of work the horse will be performing as well as the type of surface the horse will be on. 

Start hoof care at a young age to ensure proper hoof care. This helps foster proper bone growth in the limbs and hooves, as well as gets your foal used to having their feet handled. Find a farrier that can help you keep your horses hooves healthy. Always consult your veterinarian if your horse has any hoof issues not easily fixed by your farrier. You can also contact your local Cooperative Extension office for guidance and direction on hoof care. 

View the original article in full here.

Parts of the Hoof

Source for this picture as well as the article as a whole:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an033