Tips For Basic Horse Hoof Care
Daily horse hoof care is one of the most important basics in horse care. It is not time consuming and once mastered, can be done in no time at all.
First and foremost the horse's hooves have to be picked with a pick. It is important to remove the dirt, dung and small stones so that the horse does not get lame or get diseased hooves. A farrier - he's the guy who shoes the horse and who knows a lot about anything related to a horse's feet – should always examine and thoroughly clean the hooves when the shoes are changed every six to eight weeks. However, it is important for the rider to pick and clean the hooves before and after each ride in order to keep them healthy, in addition to establishing a close relationship with the horse.
When picking the hooves, one must determine the temperature the horse is comfortable with, a shady yard in the heat or a warm barn in the winter. Checking the pulse by pressing two fingers behind the pastern can serve as a guide. The pulse must be strong and steady.
Examine the hooves for any sign of bacterial infection called thrush - dark ooze, foul smell or abscess from the cleft. Also check for broken, injured, cracked or punctured hooves due to nails etc. All hoof problems must be treated immediately to prevent further damage and lameness. Over the counter medication quickly takes care of most problems if treated early on.
A veterinarian and the farrier must be consulted on a regular basis. The farrier will check for other hoof conditions like club foot, under-run heels or flare in-the-hoof when shoeing and trimming every six to eight weeks. The veterinarian will check the general health and growth progress. Most farriers are extremely knowledgeable about horses and can diagnose many conditions.
The farrier will trim and clinch the hooves when shoeing but the rider must check them before and after each ride so that the shoe does not stick out beyond the hood due to injury or lost nails.
Learn to remove the shoe in case of an injury, sprung or loose shoe. Most farriers will teach the rider if interested and it is not a difficult job. A shoe removed on time can save the horse a lot of discomfort. Keeping a sprung shoe on a horse for any length of time can worsen the discomfort and aggravate the problem.
Good hoof genes make for better hooves but a horse can be helped along with diet supplements to grow healthy and strong hooves. The veterinarian can recommend biotin supplements which can show incredible changes quite quickly in some horses while others may need a high protein supplement.
Checking the hooves for loose shoes or injuries and remedying the problem in time can prevent more serious injuries and recovery time. Remember that the horse's full weight is on its hooves and healthy hooves make a healthy horse.
