Hooves

[Guerrero]

What do you actually need to take care of horse hooves? I know they need picking out and the farrier, watch for cracks and thrush and such but there are a lot of things like hoof hardener and moisturiser and such; are they necessary or are they more cosmetic or just for horses with specific problems? In short besides a hoof pick what do I need to take care of my boy's feet?

Hooves confuse me and worry me- they seem to go wrong so easily and they're so important.

 

[*hic*]

I'd ask your farrier what care regime he would recommend for your horse's feet then he can take into account everything to do with your land / bedding / / turnout / riding arrangements that will have a bearing.

 

[oldie48]

I've found that if my horses have a good diet and a good farrier I've not needed anything else. they've not always come to me with good feet but within a year they've always looked excellent but perhaps I've been lucky.

 

[Sizzlea89]

Do a bit of research on hooves. Then research products. Iv only really used the brush part of my hoof pick as my boy is barefoot and doesn't get anything stuck in them all that often. Farrier visits every 8weeks as that's the rota he has and finds hooves are healthier for an 8 weekly trimming. I asked these same questions to my farrier and he said "you find most wild horses wouldn't have a single problem with their hooves. The odd abscess but they go away on their own anyway". Just a thought.

 

[flirtygerty]

A good diet is most important, low sugar and starch, no sugary treats, regular farrier visits, 3 of mine are BF, but all 4 are on a BF diet, the last one to go BF was my woosy TB with terrible feet, got his diet right, he's fine on most surfaces now

 

[Guerrero]

Okay thanks. The farrier should be visiting soonish so I'll have a chat with him.