Hoof Health

Hoof Health

Introduction

A major part of having a healthy horse is having healthy feet!

Have you ever heard the saying “No Hoof, No Horse?” A horse with poorly maintained hooves can develop many problems that affect the usability of the horse.

(Photo Courtesy of Axel Buhrmann)

Trimming and Shoeing

  

THE HOOF

A horse has four hooves that protect their feet and allow them to move across all types of terrain. A horse’s hoof is composed of an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion contains soft tissue and bone while the outer portion contains the hoof wall, sole and other parts that protect the inner, more sensitive, portion.

Although the hoof is a relatively hard structure, it’s still relatively flexible allowing the hoof to expand when the horse steps. The hoof also acts as a shock absorber, reducing the amount of impact the horse experiences while moving. See figure 1.

  Figure 1: Horse hoof with horseshoe

(Photo courtesy of Sarah Pilliard)

TRIMMING AND SHOEING

A horse’s hoof is similar to your finger nails and toe nails in the sense that they need to be trimmed every 2-6 weeks depending on the horse. They are also similar to your finger nails in the sense that it doesn’t physically hurt to have them trimmed them unless you trim them too short. When a horse needs their hooves trimmed a farrier is called to do the job. A farrier is someone who is trained to trim and put horseshoes on horse’s hooves correctly.

A horse should have their feet trimmed approximately every 2-6 weeks. The amount of time in between trimmings depends on the horse’s diet, exercise routine, and environment they live in. A good diet, regular exercise, and clean environment will help the horse maintain healthy hooves.

Horse owners sometimes choose to have the farrier place horseshoes on their horse’s hooves. Horses that are exposed to conditions that create extra wear and tear on their hooves can wear horseshoes to help protect their hooves from cracking and chipping. It’s not necessary for all horses to wear horseshoes, or to wear them year round. Some horse owners only have their horses wear shoes when they know they will be doing strenuous activities that affect the hoof such as endurance riding. Horseshoes can also be used to correct hoof problems a horse may have.

                                      

Figure 2: Farrier trimming a horse's hoof                Figure 3: Tools and materials used in trimming and shoeing horse's

(Photo courtesy of Belinda Hankins Miller)

To apply the knowledge you've just gained, participate in these activities! Once the activity is complete, share what you've done with your family and friends!

There is one activity in this section: Facts from a Farrier

Activity

Facts from a Farrier

Objective:

To gain a better understanding of why and how horse's hooves are trimmed by interviewing a farrier.

Materials Needed:

• Contact with a local farrier
• Note paper and a pen or pencil

Activity:

1. Find and contact a local farrier.
2. Ask the farrier if he/she would have time for an interview.  If they say yes, schedule a time and place to meet (preferably with a live horse available).
3. Develop a series of 10-15 questions to ask the farrier before you meet.
   • Example questions may include
     • Why is it important to trim horses hooves?
     • What happens if you don't trim the hooves?
     • Are all horse's hooves the same?
     • What are common problems of the hoof?
     • When do you use horseshoes?
4. Once the interview is complete, thank the farrier for taking the time to meet with you.