6 steps to healthy hooves

You might associate hoof problems with the winter months, but the truth is hooves need good care and attention all year around. 

A few simple management practices can make a big difference to the health of your horse’s feet, so don’t cut any corners. Our advice will help you get started.

1. Pick out feet daily

Hooves should be picked out at least once a day, whether your horse lives in or out. This gives you a chance to check them over, looking for any stones or debris that might be stuck, early signs of cracks or splits and checking for heat.

If your horse is shod, make sure there are no risen clenches and that shoes aren’t loose or worn. There’s no guarantee your horse’s shoes will always stay in place in between farrier visits.

Did you know?

Most horses shed their frogs at least twice a year, so don’t be alarmed if your horse’s frog appears to be peeling off.

2. Go easy on hard ground

When the ground’s solid, it’s wise to stick to slower work or ride in an arena, as working fast on hard surfaces can cause hooves to crack, as well as the risks of concussion on joints and soft tissues.

However, movement does help to keep hooves healthy by increasing blood circulation to the feet, so make sure that your horse receives some form of exercise every day.

You might also want to consider turnout plans when the going is hard. If your horse likes nothing better than a good gallop around his field, it may be wise to exercise him first or turn him out in the arena for a leg stretch.

3. Avoid extremes

Hooves naturally expand when it’s wet and contract when it’s dry, and this wet-dry cycle weakens the hoof. Reducing the frequency of the cycle will help preserve hooves. 

And, while you can’t avoid it when turning out from a dry stable to a soaking wet field, limiting washing is a simple way to help reduce the damage.

Talk to your farrier about topical hoof products – a dressing applied all year around can help to keep moisture levels in the hooves more balanced.

4. Provide a dry standing area

Always keep your horse’s stable clean and dry, and when he’s turned out, try to ensure he has a dry area to stand on if the ground’s really wet. Prolonged exposure to wet conditions – even in summer – can lead to bacterial infections such as thrush.

Did you know?

A healthy hoof should be slightly warm with a consistent temperature all over the surface.

5. Employ a good farrier

Your farrier is the expert when it comes to hoof care, so make sure you use one you trust to do a decent job.

Horses’ hooves need to be kept in good balance through correct trimming and shoeing – many hoof conformation defects can be improved through clever trimming or shoeing. Your farrier will be able to advise.

6. Feed a balanced diet

What you feed your horse will hugely impact his hoof quality, so take time to devise a carefully balanced diet that will provide him with all the vitamins and minerals he needs for healthy hoof growth.

If you’re not sure how to start, or want to be certain you’re providing the best diet you can, talk to a qualified nutritionist.

It’s worth speaking to your farrier about feeding a hoof supplement if you think your horse needs a little extra help. Biotin – which is naturally found in grass – is the most common ingredient included in hoof supplements. If your horse needs his grass intake limited for any reason, he might not be getting as much biotin as he needs. 

Top tip

Consider using overreach boots to avoid your horse pulling off a front shoe, as pulled shoes can cause hoof wall to break away, too.