3 Basic Hoof Care Tips

With all the dry weather we have been having lately, it is important to pay close attention to your horses hooves.  Here is some good information on hoof care to help you along the way--even when the dry weather subsides:


1) Use Your Hoofpick Often:  
Horses' hooves should be picked daily.  In addition, you should clean your horse's hooves before and after you ride.  Keeping your horse's hooves clean will prevent lameness and thursh.


2) Keep the Moisture in Your Horse's Hooves Regulated:

 When conditions are wet, apply a sealant such as Tough Stuff or Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Barrier.  These products will prevent the horses hoof from absorbing excess moisture as well as ammonia, urine and urea.     
 According to Carr Day & Martin:
"When the hoof is exposed to excessive amounts of water, moisture molecules flood the hoof structures.
The hoof swells to accommodate the water, which then weakens the hydrogen bonds that form the springlike and zig-zag structures. The weakened hydrogen bonds cause the shock absorbing springs to become stretched, elongated and unable to re-coil.

The hoof structure is therefore changed and ceases to act as a shock absorber. Hooves in this state may look surprisingly healthy as any minor cracks tend to disappear due to horn expansion. However, the horn is weakened and prone to being soft and crumbly. It is not surprising therefore that shoes are easily lost, especially in heavy-going."

When conditions are dry, apply a moisturizer such as Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Moisturiser or Wunder Hoof.  This will give the hoof the extra moisture that it needs to prevent cracking and splitting.  
This is especially important if the environment quickly changes from wet to dry.  According to Carr & Day Martin: 
"Rapid removal of moisture from the hoof does not give the spiral and zig-zag structures enough time to re-align. Hydrogen bonds stretch, break and are unable to reattach and realign, so the structure collapses.
This damage can cause the horn to become dry, brittle and often exhibit cracking."


3)  Schedule Your Horse for Routine Farrier Visits Every 6-8 Weeks:
Domestic horses in light use are not subjected to such severe living conditions as horses living in the wild, and hence their feet grow faster than they can be worn down.  Without regular trimming, their feet can get too long, eventually splitting, chipping and cracking, which can lead to lameness.
Depending on your horse's needs, he or she may need shoes.  Horses who are doing a lot of work or working on hard ground will need to be shod. Some horses with weak hoof walls, flat soles or other problems might need shoes even if they’re not working.