The old-time cowboys said it right, "No hooves, no horse!" Without sound legs and healthy hooves, your horse doesn't have "a leg" to stand on.
Much has been written about hoof care and, nutritionally, there are many beneficial hoof supplements. However, this article focuses on the basic day-to-day maintenance of your horse's hooves.
Hoof care is an important part of your horse grooming regimen. You should regularly inspect, clean out and condition his hooves. It is important not to skimp on hoof care chores or skip cleaning hooves altogether.
You have groomed your horse; he feels great and shines like a newly-minted coin. All that is left to do are the hooves. For your horse's health, complete this process just as thoroughly as you did the grooming!
The Old Gray Mare needs to mention several safety points here:
Always wear hard-toed shoes or boots when working with your horse.
Watch out for your feet when you work anywhere around your horse. Your horse is a live, breathing, thinking animal - he may move around, startle, or get restless.
Stand off to the side when you work on the front leg(s). If your horse strikes out with his front leg, you do not want to be within striking distance. Likewise, if he fusses, steps around or fidgets, you need to be able to react and step aside.
Stand beside the rear leg. Do not stand too far to the front of the leg in case he cow kicks; do not stand too far behind the rear leg in case he kicks. Stay out of the "line of fire."
Make sure you have your horse's attention as you begin to work around his feet. Start your hoof inspection and cleaning on his left side, front leg. Ask him to lift his foot (say Pick Up) by applying gentle squeezing pressure at the bottom rear of the cannon bone. He's over 1000 pounds and if he's not ready to lift his foot you need to motivate him to do so ask again. With repetition, he will automatically raise his feet. Hold his foot up firmly and clean out the hoof thoroughly with a hoofpick. Scrape all soiled matter out until you see clean hoof wall. Pay special attention to the frog, the area around the frog and the heel.
Now that you can see all hoof surfaces clearly, check for cracks anywhere in the hoof wall, the condition of the frog, whether the heel has contracted, whether clinches are loosening, if nails are missing, how the foot is wearing. Put extra care into finding old or new punctures, infection or abscess. Note any foul odor and discharge from the frog. Determine if it is time to reshoe or trim. Gently release the foot.
You will repeat the cleaning and inspection of the left rear foot in the same manner and move over to your horse's off side.
The Old Gray Mare notes another safety point: Never move around behind the horse to go to the other side without giving clear signal. Best practice is always to go in front of him. If you must go behind your horse, do not startle him - firmly touch his hip and stroke your hand back to the flank to indicate that you are shifting position -- keep your distance, watch the horse and step around him.
The last two feet to go - start again with the front leg, finishing with the rear leg.
His four feet are now clean, and you have thoroughly inspected the condition of the hooves and frogs. If you have determined that a trim is in order, you will schedule the farrier. If there is a discharge or foul odor, you will treat for thrush (The Old Gray Mare Article: Care for Horse Hooves - Thrush). If you have found a puncture, wound, infection or abscess, treat immediately - I recommend professional care by your veterinarian.
You have now completed the basic hoof cleaning and inspection procedure that needs to be done each time you groom your horse.
Next, once or twice a week, you will do simple hoof maintenance in addition to the cleaning. With a stiff bristle hoof brush, briskly brush the outer surface of each foot to stimulate new growth, to boost blood circulation and to clean the surface. Apply a hoof conditioner on and under the hoof paying particular attention to the coronet band and new hoof growth. Do not overuse hoof conditioner - adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations.
It is easy to take proper care of your horse's feet. Combined with your hoof cleaning routine and the regular six to eight-week service of your farrier, your horse will have solid and sound feet.
Enjoy your horse!
This article and other horse-related articles by The Old Gray Mare can be found on www.DressYourHorse.com.
Thanks for taking the time to read especially if you don't own a horse. They are an amazing animal and, in my opinion, they are time and cost intensive. But I love it. I am particularly happy to hear comments from the nonhorse owners so I really pleased you commented. I'll be publishing the companion article to this one that deals with a common hoof problem called "thrush." Oh yes, I'll have a few that are not about horses too. Thanks Connor.
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