Guest Author - Darling Poor

Of all the physical components of a horse, probably the most important is its feet. Consider that in a gallop, all fifteen hundred pounds of your horse will be supported on one toe. That’s a big order to fill. As such, we owe it to our equine companions to ensure that their hooves are kept in the best condition possible.

Three things affect hoof condition: 1) the genetic makeup of a horse, 2) its diet and overall health, and 3) how well its human provider maintains them.

Genetics

Thoroughbreds have notoriously thin soles and will require the most care. By contrast, most native breeds of pony have very hard feet and, as such, will be less prone to bruising. Some horses are a bit pigeon-toed or splay-footed and their feet and shoes may wear unevenly as a result. If your horse has very small or large feet in proportion to its body size, it may be less able to withstand concussive pressure. Corrective shoes can assist with most hoof situations.

Diet

Feeding your horse properly can avoid unhealthy hoof situations. Overfed horses sometimes develop ridges on their hooves, an undesireable condition. There are many supplements on the market specifically for healthy hooves. Most involve biotin. Use of supplements should be undertaken only with vet or nutritionist advice, however, because many diets are already concentrated, especially cubes/nuts. Over-supplementing can be as ill-advised as under-supplementing.

Care

A good owner recognizes the need for ample hoof care. If your horse is young or in need of retraining, pick its feet up often and tap the flat of your palm against its soles. This will get the animal used to farrier visits.

New shoes should be applied every four to six weeks. Even if you do not shoe your horse, it will require frequent hoof trimming. Find a good farrier and stick with them. They will do the best job of providing corrective and properly-shaped shoes because they already know your horse.

Prior to a farrier visit, soften the hoof a bit if it is dry by soaking the horse’s feet in water with a little added hoof softener. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to regularly apply a hoof dressing to keep the exterior hoof wall from becoming dried out and cracked. There are pine tar dressings and more “natural” types of dressings. I like Shur Hoof by Farnam because it is long-lasting.

Remember, however, that even though suppleness is good for the hoof, too much moisture can lead to problems. For the interior of the foot, keep the frog cleaned out to prevent thrush. You’re seeking a balance between too wet and too dry for your horse companion.