Healthy Hoofs - healthy horses: the basics of hoof care

Picking out hooves – child’s play, right?

It’s definitely worth going back to the basics and reviewing your routine, because conditions like thrush can result from poor hygiene and inadequate care.

Before and after every ride, the hooves should always be checked and cleaned. Often it just takes a few quick motions to thoroughly clean the frog and the frog grooves. It’s important not to scrape too hard with the hoof pick, as this can cause minor injuries. For detailed cleaning, a stiff brush and water are recommended.

Weekly to monthly hoof maintenance

There’s nothing wrong with applying greases, creams, or oils once a week. This can have a positive effect on hoof horn quality. In the case of certain conditions, it may be useful to perform treatments more frequently—but this should always be discussed and planned with a veterinarian and farrier.

With adjusted feeding, horse owners can also positively influence the quality of the hoof horn. However, a blood test from the attending veterinarian should first determine whether supplementation is needed at all.

“Any type of supplementation varies by region,” emphasizes veterinarian Felicia Wehrenpfennig from Verden. “In some areas of Germany, for example, grass is low in selenium and zinc, so the feed must be adapted accordingly to ensure optimal care for the horse.”

At least every six to eight weeks, every horse—no matter the age—should be presented to a farrier or hoof trimmer. It doesn’t matter whether the horse is shod or barefoot. In certain situations—such as after an illness or during the transition to barefoot—more frequent evaluations by the farrier and possibly the veterinarian are advisable.

Autumn & Winter: How should I adjust hoof care?

Different seasons may require different care routines. In summer, horse hooves often struggle with dryness, whereas in autumn and winter, they tend to be more moist and soft. Accordingly, hoof care should be adjusted.

“Especially in summer, the moisture content of the hoof plays an important role. If it's significantly reduced, the hoof’s elasticity decreases and it can become brittle,” emphasizes Uwe Lukas, a farrier at the Tierklinik Telgte. According to a study from the University of Cambridge, the ideal moisture content of the hoof is 25 percent.

In summer, many riders wonder whether it makes sense to soak the hooves to maintain moisture levels. In most cases, this is unnecessary, and the stress on the horn caused by swelling and then rapid shrinking is usually greater than the benefit. Hosing down the legs and hooves during heat is recommended, but standing in water should be avoided.

In winter, when hooves are generally more moist, a hoof hardeneror hoof oil can help provide protection against moisture. It’s especially important to ensure that horses do not stand in wet conditions for extended periods. Dry areas on paddocks, pastures, or in open stables should always be available. Otherwise, serious hoof diseases may develop.

What do healthy hooves really need

In summer, products that provide moisture without sealing the hoof are especially important. Dry hooves are often the result of sealing hoof grease. Grazing in the morning, when there's still dew on the grass, can have a positive effect on the hoof. According to experts, regular turnout and movement of the horse are more important than hoof care products. In the stable, rotten bedding has no place; hygiene and daily mucking out are top priorities.

Oil and grease form an impermeable layer on the hoof wall, preventing moisture from entering or escaping. A greased hoof looks nice and, in many cases—such as brittle hooves—can have a positive effect. However, improper use can cause soft hoof horn to become even softer. What to keep in mind: hooves should still be damp when greasing, and the hoof should not be excessively scrubbed beforehand. It's also helpful to apply grease to the sole of the hoof. Recommended products include hoof greases with additives such as laurel oil, which also promotes hoof growth. Laurel oil can also be applied separately to the coronary band using a toothbrush, for example.

A water-based lotion or cream provides a lot of moisture without softening the hoof. Hoof balm with eucalyptus or pine extracts can also be used on healthy hooves to prevent them from becoming brittle, to stop them from drying out, and to help retain moisture while giving them elasticity and resilience.

A coronary strike is an injury where the horse steps on its coronet band, damaging the periople (coronet skin). The wound must be disinfected immediately. A vet consultation is especially recommended if foreign objects are embedded in the coronet.

Thrush is certainly the number one hoof disease. It is recognizable by a strong, foul odor from the hoof and the breakdown of the frog tissue into a slimy, purulent discharge. In addition, hoof abscesses, laminitis, canker, hoof wall cracks, coronary band cracks, horn columns, loose and hollow hoof walls, and coronary band inflammations are common and require appropriate treatment.

Adapting care to special needs

The transition to barefoot is a question that divides many horse owners as well as experts. The fact is: transitioning from shoeing to barefoot takes time. It is easier if a transitional phase is created using plastic horseshoes or hoof boots. Subjecting hooves immediately to new mobility, abrasion, and environmental stimuli often overwhelms them. In such cases, illnesses or injuries can occur. Above all, such a transition requires a lot of patience. Especially for older horses or horses that previously lived in stalls and were used in sports but are now kept in open stables and ridden for leisure, switching to barefoot can still have a positive effect.

Alternative types of shoeing also have their place for specific applications and preferences. Aluminum has long been indispensable in the orthopedic and therapeutic field, as well as in certain sporting disciplines. Plastic and composite horseshoes are particularly popular among recreational riders. The advantages compared to steel lie in the lower weight, shock absorption, grip, and—except for aluminum—the preservation of the natural hoof mechanism. Their disadvantages include complex handling, reduced versatility, and a higher price.