Best Practice For Your Horse’s Feet

4 Reasons to book Regular visits from a professional farrier

1. Regular trims will help prevent issues such as cracks and chips, preventing overgrowth and correcting imbalances. It will encourage stronger and healthier hooves, allowing the horse to move without discomfort.
2. Cracks and chips in the hoof can affect the structural integrity of the hoof, which can if left lead to discomfort and even lameness.
3. Overgrown hooves can create areas where dirt and moisture can gather, this will provide an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, which can then cause pain and distress for the horse. If the hooves are overgrown as well as causing discomfort the horse can become lame.
4. Correcting imbalances is so important to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues. The imbalances can occur due to injury, conformation and even uneven wear. Regular trims will help restore proper alignment and balance, helping ensure the horse remains sound.

How often should you have the farrier visit?

• The frequency of trims is horse dependent and will be influenced by factors like how fast the hoof grows, the activity level of the horse, where the horse is ridden (do they do lots of road work etc).
  • Most horses are trimmed every 6-8 weeks, however this is very much based on your horses individual needs.
• Proper shoeing will help protect the hooves by adding durability and strength. They can also help if the horse is being ridden on hard ground or doing intensive work such as cross country or high level jumping.
• The frequency of shoeing is typically every 4-6 weeks but this is horse dependent and again is influenced by growth rate, workload and terrain.

Daily hoof care for your horse

Carrying out these daily checks ensures good hygiene and that your horse is not in discomfort. See a list of Hoof Treatments You Can Apply Yourself

1. Pick out your horse's feet at least once a day (ONLY use a good quality Hoof pick!)
   • This is regardless of whether they are stable or field kept
2. Check for debris, stones, cracks or splits.
3. If your horse is wearing shoes, also check:
   • Wear & Tear
   • Raised clenches

Hoof picks for daily hoof checks

Hoof treatments