The phrase “No Hoof, No Horse” is a common, yet accurate statement. Hooves are the foundation of your horse being able to behave normally and live comfortably, so looking after them is paramount. Even the most well-meaning of owners can make small, simple mistakes that can lead to bigger problems. Here are the top hoof care mistakes, and what can be done to avoid them.

Irregular trimming

With busy lifestyles and tight budgets, it can be easy to let farrier schedules slide under the radar.

The mistake: Waiting until hooves start looking overgrown. By this point, your horse could already be suffering with unbalanced footing, putting strain on tendons and other internal structures. If you go too long, you could even end up with flares, long toes and collapsed heels.

The solution: Stick to a schedule. Your farrier will be best placed to recommend a schedule for your horse’s individual needs.

Ignoring daily hygiene

Even if the weather has been good and dry, debris can still end up in your horses’ hooves.

The mistake: Only picking hooves out before you ride. Bacteria and fungi from wet ground, mud or dirty bedding can get wedged around the frog, which can lead to bigger problems such as thrush.

The solution: Picking feet out regularly, at least once a day. Don’t over wash legs in winter either – let mud dry and brush it off.

Supporting outside of the hoof only

It can be tempting to cover your horses’ hooves in oils and dressings and hope for the best, but optimal hoof health starts from within.

The mistake: Thinking topical ointments are enough to stop hoof issues. The hoof is made of keratin, and growth is fuelled by the correct nutrition. Further to this, UK soils are commonly lacking in key minerals, so if your horse does not have access to good quality hard feed and adequate supplementation, this can contribute to poor quality hoof horn.

The solution: Ensuring your horse has access to good quality forage and hard feed and consider feeding a specific hoof supplement. Better 4 Hooves Supplement contains an excellent blend of key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids that all contribute to optimal hoof health.

Treating every horse the same

Hoof care schedules are not going to be the same for every horse, as there are a myriad of things that can affect their management needs. This includes genetics, environmental factors and workload. 

The mistake: Assuming that every horse will require the same routine, or that youngsters or the elderly don’t need as much care. Every horse deserves to have proper hoof care, so their lifestyle should be taken into consideration.

The solution: Tailoring routines to the individual horse and ensuring they all have access to quality nutrition, regular trimming and good daily hygiene.

Ignoring small cracks and chips

The positive mentality of thinking that a small chip will grow out can do more damage than good.

The mistake: Not paying attention to even minor hoof wall damage. Small cracks can be a sign of something more going on, such as balance issues or fungal infections working their way up to the hoof wall. Small cracks, when left alone, can turn into a much larger problem.

The solution: Address any damage immediately and have a foundation of preventative management in place.

Poor turnout is better than no turnout

Horses are made to roam, so it’s natural for us to want to want to provide turnout as much as possible

The mistake: Turning out in extremely muddy conditions for months on end. This can cause the hoof wall and sole to soften and increase the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. On the other hand, if turned out onto hard or uneven ground, this can cause stress to the hoof structures and joints.

The solution: Ensure your horse has access to some dry standing such as a field shelter or matted off area. If your horse is being stabled more in winter months, ensure that bedding is cleaned out regularly to prevent build-up of debris in the hooves.

Key Takeaways

Proactive care can keep your horse sound and comfortable all year round.

• Consistency is key – Daily checks and sticking to a farriery schedule
• Inside out approach – Provide good quality forage, hard feed and add in a specific hoof supplement
• Dry is best – Ensure your horse access to clean, dry areas to stand in all seasons
• Keep vigilant – look out for minor changes in the hoof condition, as this may indicate a bigger problem

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