As they say, “no hoof, no horse”. What that means is when a horse’s hoof hurts, the horse cannot perform or move as they should, and they are in pain. But keeping your horse’s hooves healthy is usually as simple as regular farriery work and good footing (though some horses seem to have less than ideal hooves that require more careful maintenance). My horse sees his farrier every 7 weeks. He is barefoot with great hooves, so he can go a little longer between trimmings. If your horse is shod, they may need new shoes/pads every 4-6 weeks (though I have heard some go as long as 8 weeks). My advice, talk with your farrier. They know your horse best and will help you determine the best schedule. And remember, not all farriers are the same. A good farrier will have a good education under their belt and have gone through an apprenticeship for a few years. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their background. Even a well educated farrier may not be right for your horse however. I tired one guy that would smack my horse for the slightest shift. He trimmed Harley exactly once; I was not going to have him smacking my horse around like that.
Spring can be the worst time of year for keeping healthy hooves. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, the mud that results can be a breeding ground for bacteria. That bacteria can enter into a tiny hole or crack in the hoof or coronet band to create the dreaded abscess. I can hear you groaning from here. Every horse owner will have to deal with an abscess at some point in time. Some are worse than others (apparently my horse had one once, but never knowed signs of lameness, my farrier found the divet). Thrush is another headache for horse owners to deal with. Less painful than an abscess, it still needs to be treated. Thrush occurs from bacteria getting into the frog. This usually happens when the hoof is constantly in moisture without anytime to dry out. Best way to avoid an abscess or thrush, is to try and keep your horse on dry footing as much as possible during the wet months; either with mats, gravel, shavings or some combo of all three. Daily hoof cleaning and application of treatments like Thrush Buster (my personal favorite but that stuff will stain anything purple) can help keep hooves healthy before bacteria seeps in. Treating abscesses and thrush is best done under supervision of both your vet and farrier. Need some extra help keeping your horses hooves healthy? You may want to consider a supplement like Farrier’s Formula or a biotin supplement. Adding some canola or vegetable oil to their feed is another budget friendly option. Keeping your horse on a regular exercise program can also help them maintain healthy hooves. Exercise helps to promote good circulation and proper hoof growth. Your horses' hooves are a vital part of keeping them healthy. Make sure to inspect/clean them daily, treat as necessary and maintain regular farrier visits. Resources: Thrush Buster: https://bit.ly/2OUUSjO https://horseandrider.com/health/hoof-care-help https://www.lifedatalabs.com/farriers-formula
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AuthorMy name is Jenn Hodge, CPPS. I've been a professional pet sitter since 2009 and I have a passion for helping your pets live their best life! I have 2 adorable and sassy cats, 1 horse and a fish tank with guppies and an aquatic frog. My husband, Ryan Hodge, CPPS and author, also works in my pet business. Archives
October 2024
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