The phrase “no hoof, no horse” underlines how much the health and the strength of the hoof is crucial for horse soundness.

Care of the hoof, though seemingly simple, is on the most crucial practices for maintaining a sound, healthy horse.

Well good morning young adults!

Yesterday, a brief overview of hoof care and lameness was posted for young horseman. Today, we will go a slightly more in depth for those of you who are a little more “mature in years.”

Hooves are like human fingernails; long extensions that can be trimmed painlessly. They require a fair amount of attention from the horse owner for proper care as well as the attention of a farrier every four to six weeks. Horses are shod for added protection, ease of care, and to keep the hooves in good condition and free from wear until the next trim is required. If a horse’s hooves wear too much, the protective outer covering starts to be lost and the foot can become sensitive causing lameness.

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The conformation of the hoof is very important. Horses with boxy feet can have associated joint, and therefore, movement problems. Movement is the horse’s freedom; a lame horse cannot work, move freely or enjoy a good quality of life. It is extremely easy for a horse to become lame. A simple bruise in the sole of the hoof can be enough to make a horse sore for weeks.

It is crucial to make sure a horse is trimmed regularly, even if the horse is never ridden. Without regular trimming, a horse’s hooves will grow too long and can lead to hoof splitting, chipping, cracking and lameness. Hooves need to be trimmed so contact with the ground will be uniform and will not cause the hoof to chip or split.

Trimming helps keep the hooves in good condition as well as allowing the farrier to check for any problems that might develop. If your horse suddenly goes lame, there is an extremely high chance that the problem is in the hoof. Stones can easily be lodged in the sole, or under a shoe. So remember, it is important to your horse that you pick out his or her hooves every time you ride!

Trevor Ashcraft
AQHA Youth Intern