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Taking care of hooves is a crucial part of looking after
your horses
health. You should look at your horses hooves every day, and
at least two to three times each week. By doing this you should
become very familiar with what is normal and what is not,
and will be able to to spot any problems that might be beginning.
Using this simple checklist might assist you in your daily
practices.
1. As you approach your horse be sure the symmetry is releatively
close, however they do not have to be perfectly equal, but
very close to being the same size and form.
2. Carefully examine for defects in the hoof wall and coronary
band. Lift up the hoof, run your hand over the exterior of
the wall to feel for impairments. Apply the exact procedure
for the coronary band and then squeeze it gently. Using these
two procedures will also point out soft areas and water bearing
areas.
3. Look carefully at the sole. Examine the colour of each
hoof. Ideally they should be indentical in colouration. A
clearly defined dark spot indicates bruising or puncture wound.
4. Look at and compare the frogs. The front hooves should
be similar in size and shape, the same applies to the rear
hooves. Try and lightly press each frog using your hoof pick,
in the majority of areas, with the exception of desert areas,
they should be a little spongy.
5. If already shod, hold the shoe and see if it wiggles.
Check for lost clinches, if the shoe is loose you may choose
to take off the shoe in case your horse misplaces it by itself
and perhaps removes a section of hoof with it.
If you frequently check each hoof, you can avoid a lot of
issues by noticing the issue before it worsens.
It is recommended you include into your hoof cleaning routiene
a couple of quick steps. Use a pick from heel to toe. If packed
tightly you may need to loosen it up a touch before it can
be removed. Once the material is taken out, examine all the
areas of the hoof and be positive that there isn't a smelly
odour as this is usually a obvious sign of thrush. Be certain
there are no rocks or gravel lodged anywhere, particularly
beneath the shoe.
All hooves should show a natural sheen on the hoof wall.
If you find a smooth level surface with no cracks, rings,
depressions, flares and a concave sole that meets the shoe,
then you can be confident that your horses hooves are in good
health.
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