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“No foot- no horse.” All equestrians know that the hoof of a horse is the most important body part. Like tires on a car, the hoof is what stands between the horse and the road. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car without tires, you would never to ride a horse with problem feet.
The Parts of the Hoof
The hoof is quite different from a human foot or a dog’s paw. A hoof has unique parts and features that require special care. If you looked at the bottom of the hoof, you would see the outer layer of the hoof that is called the hoof wall. This is also the part of the hoof that is visible when the horse is standing with feet on the ground. This hard surface is what braves the elements and is somewhat like a fingernail. The shoe is nailed into this layer. Just inside the wall is the white line. And the sole of the foot is the area between the white line and the triangle shaped anti-slipping device known as the frog that is in the center of the foot.
Everyday Care
Your horse’s hoof should be cleaned well before and after riding every single time you ride. If you do not ride very often, then you should take a look at the hoof ideally once a day. However, once a week will do if there are no problems.
How to Clean a Hoof
Pick up the hoof by standing next to the horse facing the tail, run your hand down the leg gently squeezing the leg just above the fetlock (looks like an ankle) and lean into the horse to gently shift his or her weight to the other legs. Most horses will lift their feet as soon as your hand nears the hoof. Use your hoof pick to firmly dig out wet mud, manure and any stones present by pushing the pick from the wide part of the frog toward the toe. Never pick in the opposite direction as you might inadvertently push a rock or stone further into the hoof causing injury. Be very careful to place the hoof back on the ground when you are done. Dropping the hoof on the ground could result in a chip. When lifting the rear feet use the same method being careful not to pull the leg out to the side. It is also generally safer if you hold the rear hoof a little (6-12 inches) farther behind the horse. That makes the horse both more comfortable and less likely to kick.
If your horse is healthy, there is no need for special creams or treatments on a daily basis. Avoid washing the hooves often with water as that can dry them out. It’s also important that the horse is in a clean dry stall and dry pasture. Wet areas breed bacteria that will result in a disease known as thrush. You will know if your horse has thrush because of the offensive smell coming from the hoof. The frog may also appear dark and overly soft. There are a number of products on the market to treat thrush as well as many home remedies. Consult your farrier to see what he or she recommends.
A balanced diet is important to the healthy hoof. Too much lush grass in the spring or too much grain with little work can result in laminitis (also known as founder), which is a swelling and fever in the feet. Ponies are particularly susceptible to laminitis and should receive limited amounts of grain for that reason. Consult your veterinarian to see if your horse is at risk.
Monthly and Seasonal Care
Whether your horse wears shoes or is barefoot, you should have a farrier check him out and trim the feet every 4-6 weeks. Also notify your farrier right away if a shoe is loose, or falls off and do not ride until the problem is fixed. Some horses are given a break from their shoes during winter months when they are ridden less often. Consult your farrier to see if this is an option for your horse.
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