1. Treat you horse’s feet like your hands. For example, if your hands are dry, you would put on a moisturizer; if they are not dry you would not. Your horse’s feet are the same. If they are dry and cracked and brittle, put on a product that increases the moisture content of the hoof. If the hoof capsule is wet and soft, use a product that shields the hoof from environmental moisture. Environmental moisture can come from a wet stall, wet grass, the wash rack, too many baths, or a wet soggy pasture.
2. Pick your horse’s feet before and after you ride. Pick your horse’s feet before you ride to examine the health of hoof and to remove dirt, stones and any debris. You should also pick them after you ride to make sure you haven’t picked up any foreign objects such as rocks, nails or hard packed footing.
3. Always pick the horse’s hoof from heel to toe. In other words, pick in the direction toward the point of the frog.
4. Be sure to clean in the clefts next to the frog where thrush can be most prominent.
5. When examining the hoof while grooming, check for sharp clinches which can cut your horse and may also indicate a loose or twisted shoe.
6. Keep your horse on a regular shoeing schedule, even if he just needs a trim or reset. Keeping your horse on a regular shoeing schedule can prevent many costly and damaging lameness issues.
You can send in questions about your horse’s feet if you like. Submit to ruth@ruthhoganpoulsen.com.
www.ruthhoganpoulsen.com
www.mobilehorsemonitor.com
www.dressagefreestyles.com
Tags: Horse Care, Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
