Farrier Chris Volk shares 10 tips and explanations on hoof care for horses:
- Pick out your horse’s feet.
- Establish what’s normal.
- When picking out the feet, look for signs of thrush, puncture, cracks or abscess.
- Schedule regular farrier visits according to your horse’s individual needs.
- If your horse is shod, check his shoes each time you pick out his feet. Look for: risen clinches or a sprung or shifted shoe.
- Learn how to remove a shoe–yes, you!
- Help your horse grow the best possible hooves.
- Avoid the “summer cycle” of alternate soaking and drying of hooves.
- Try not to turn out in deep, muddy footing.
- Protect your horse’s hooves during hauling.
Source: Practical Horseman, via EquineNetwork.com, July 2016.
INSIGHTS: This is a good solid article to use with or provide to horse owners.