How often do you pick out horses hooves?

jen1

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 July 2006
Messages
872
Location
Herts
Visit site
As title! How often do you pick out your horse's hooves?

I always thought every day (at least) and when I read in books and magazines etc they say before riding, after riding, in the morning, when bringing in etc.

OK so I am not a numpty I know you should check them regularly but how often do YOU do it? some horses at my yard are turned out 24-7 and only checked from afar each day, some the owners only ride or do anything with them at the weekend, so hooves are not looked at on a daily basis.
 
When she's turned out 24/7.....I do it when I intend to ride
blush.gif


And before and after riding as a general matter of course!
smile.gif
 
I always pick them out after riding and my old boy's are picked out every night as I keep an eye on everything relating to Laminitis where he is concerned
crazy.gif


I believe the concensus of opinion in the Vet/Farriery world is that they are best left with mud in rather than soaking up urine in the stable
frown.gif


PS I used to pick them out twice a day and then I 'revisted' the reasons and decided that as I am getting older my back needed looking after
crazy.gif
 
at least twice a day sometimes 3 times. I pick them out whenhe comes in (twice a day) and after i have ridden
 
i check em before ridin then pick em after before he goes back to field but if i dnt ride then i just give em a quick check for heat etc
 
The ponies at home...rarely. They have a concrete area to walk across in front of their shelter and its full of pony hoof shaped dirt balls..
At the big field I do them twice a day as they share with sheep and sheep poo seems to eat away at their feet if not picked out regularly..
 
Mine live out and when they are eating dinner I always give them a quick flick over with a brush and pick their feet put then. Just out of habit really, if I forget the hoof pick I don't have a fit!!!
 
Roughly if being ridden 4-5 times a day, but that is only because of yard rules, so shaving dont get everywhere and rubber and sand
 
Cant remember the last time, maybe a year ago? i never pick my horses feet out and not one of them have had a lame/foot sore day in their life with me. If there was a problem my farrier would pick up on it.
 


Before & after riding. If I'm grooming & she's being turned out again then I'll pick them out & grease the but that's it.

Always keep a general eye out for lameness etc though.
 
Everyday and before and after on riding days normally. In the summer her feet remain clean but I still check them.
 
I pick out my TB's feet daily...sometimes twice a day. She is shod, and is very sensitive to things like stones.
My youngsters get their feet picked out before they go for walkies...nearly every day.
S
grin.gif
 
I pick my horses feet out - before turning out, when bringing in, before and after riding.... touch wood 16 yrs on with same horse and never had any sort of foot problem, not so much as a bit of thrush.

Some people I know (there are about 3) have said to me that their farrier has told them not to pick thier hooves out - same people are constantly dealing with absesses, puncture wounds (and one now has a serious foot infection - been stuck in the box for weeks). Think i'll be sticking to my way - works for us!
 
Truthfully - never. I only pick them out if he limps coming in from the field or has so many stones his foot is not touching the floor.
 
Once before riding, once after. If i'm not riding, then after bringing in from the field, or before turning out. Generally twice when i'm down at the stables; has been more lately as keeping an eye on hoof with a drained abcess.
 
3 times a day - in the morning before riding, after riding, then when he comes in from the field at night. Im paranoid about feed because he has very thin soles and is prone to laminitis. One step on a stone and he is crippled
frown.gif
He currently has pads fitted which Im also paranoid about!
 
Before I ride, hvae only once got on and there been a stone in there but enough for me to pick out every time before riding.
 
My lad has hooves picked out when he comes out the stable, when brought in from the field & before putting him in stable, before riding & after riding......so about 4 times a day
smile.gif
 
I pick feet out before coming out of the stable and have hoof pick attached to the door (old habbit), after riding and when they come back into the stable
grin.gif
 
Top