HOOF CARE
©
1998 Cherry Hill
www.horsekeeping.com
To preserve your horse’s
soundness and minimize farrier bills, pick out hooves daily so you can discover
problems early. Remove all manure and mud from the sole and clefts of the
frog, checking for rocks, sticks and nails. Check the frog crevices for
the black, foul-smelling signs of thrush. Look
at the bottom of the hooves to be sure the hoof has not grown over the shoe.
Check for loose clinches by running your fingers over the outer hoof wall.
If you feel sharp or rough clinches (nail ends), your horse's shoe is probably
loose and needs your farrier. Hire the most knowledgeable and experienced
farrier available and have your horse trimmed or shod every 6-8 weeks.
Don't over use greasy hoof dressings that can make the hooves too soft.
Use a hoof sealer to help maintain a healthy hoof moisture level. If a horse
is in very wet and muddy conditions, apply hoof sealer several times a week to
absolutely clean and dry hooves. To prevent
lost shoes, don't pasture in wet, boggy fields. Minimize bathing.
Keep a hoof boot on hand to protect the hoof when your horse loses a shoe.
Regular exercise is important for overall health and especially healthy hooves.
With exercise, blood flows around a horse's body and his legs and hooves are well
nourished. If a horse lives in a stall or small pen, the decreased blood
flow can lead to leg and hoof problems. 
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