Pedicure & Beyond: Horse Foot Care

“No hoof, no horse,” This saying, in many forms, has been passed down for centuries. And there is no truer statement. No matter how fit and beautiful the horse may be, it will never be its best without hooves given the proper care.

Today, let's dive into the basics of hoof care and talk about the simple, but crucial care it requires. Let’s start with a look at the structure of a horse’s hoof.

A horse’s hoof is generally looked at in five parts. First, there is the hoof wall, the lower ⅔  hard part of the hoof. Next is the periople, the top ⅓, which is the softer, new growth. Next is what's called the white line; it's a small line on the bottom of the hoof, separating the wall from the sole. There is the sole - the bottom of the hoof - that protects the bones. Finally, we have the frog; the v-shaped tissue area that functions as a shock absorber, and more. The outside of horse hooves is made of keratin - just like human fingernails. Moisture content is super important to the quality of the hoof- we don't want it too wet or too dry. Either way can bring on a host of problems! That’s why caring for our horses' feet is a daily task we take seriously.

Daily Care:

    Before and after every ride, and even on days we aren’t able to ride, it’s important to keep each hoof cleaned. Using a hoof pick, we pull out any debris by gently scraping out the frog and along the sole. We don't want there to be any rocks, which can cause bruising; mud left in there too long can cause harmful bacteria. We can apply any ointments, for treatment or preventative, after the hooves are clean. This is also the time to check for any damage, such as chips, cracks, and uneven wear. Some of these can be serious; others are not harmful and won’t affect them. It’s our job to know the difference.

6 to 8 Week Care:

  Horses' hooves never stop growing, averaging about 1/4 inch each month. Wild horses daily cover miles of often rough, rocky terrain in search of water and food. This wears down their hooves and keeps them from growing too long. But since domesticated horses don't have to do this, their hooves need to be trimmed. This is a special process that requires a professional farrier. We are blessed to have found the best farrier possible; our horses love him and he is a master at his craft. Every six to eight weeks, he will trim and file our horses' hooves. Every horse is different and each one has individual needs, so no two trims are exactly alike.

While our horses are all barefoot, many people choose to shoe their horses. There are many reasons for this such as corrective shoeing or a horse with a larger workload (such as a police horse). A trusted farrier and vet can help you know whether your horse needs shoes or not. Our main concern should always be keeping our horses as happy and healthy as possible.

And if you've been wondering, yes, there are nail polishes for horses - bright colors, glitter, and all the fun stuff! While it shouldn't be done too often, it's fine to glam up your horse every once in a while: just be sure to always do it safely! You may find that some horses enjoy all the extra attention!

The horses' hooves are the foundation for their health and well-being. Our horses take such good care of us and taking good care of their hooves is one of the ways that we can say thank you.