The old saying "no hoof, no horse" has been heard for many years now and yet still, the saying is still used and something many are firm believers in.
After a long winter of wed, muddy fields we all look forward to spring grass, dry fields and plenty of galloping down our favourite bridle way; but do we give a moments thought to our horses hooves apart from the six-weekly check and rasp by the farrier?
Horses hooves resemble fingernails - when wet they get weak and often this is a frustration to many of us throughout winter when we bring our trusty steed in from the field with only three shoes on yet AGAIN!
Just when we think it's all coming right and summer is fast approaching, which should mean no more soggy fields and consequently no more finding shoes at the bottom of the field, we're brought back down to earth with a bump. Hooves need moisture to stay healthy, otherwise weakening will occur again resulting in dry, brittle hooves that crack and subsequently we end up finding shoes at the bottom of the field again.
It's a vicious cycle and if your horse is prone to weak hooves then I'm sure you're all too familiar with the sound of 'Clip, Clop, Clip, THUD' or texting your instructor to cancel a lesson because "the horse has lost a shoe again!".
It's important to get into a routine of maintaining your horses feet and becoming familiar with what's normal for your horse in terms of hoof appearance and temperature. If you know the basics then you're well on your way to recognising the early signs of trouble should there be any.
Applying hoof oil every other day in summer will help to prevent splits and cracks. I like to combine the use of Carr & Day & Martin's hoof oil and cornucrescine to ensure all my horses have healthy hooves. On a daily basis I apply the Carr & Day & Martins hoof oil; which one depends very much on the state of fields and what I'm trying to protect against. During the summer months I'm using the
Tea Tree Hoof Oil which is great for maintaining and protecting the hoof, whilst giving a long lasting shine in the show ring. This product is perfect for keeping in your tack box at all times!
Our fields get very wet in winter as our drainage isn't the greatest, so throughout winter months I apply
Carr & Day & Martins Daily Hoof Barrier; this helps to strengthen the hoof whilst supporting it's structure. What's even better is it includes antibacterial agents to help protect against all that bacteria your horse is exposed to when stood in his stable or field for long periods of time in winter.
Every second or third day I like to use the
Cornucrescine Hoof Ointment which has been around for generations. Apart from the obvious, that this product smells absolutely divine, it is also a trusted source for aiding both hoof and hair regrowth. Application with this ointment is a little different to your normal hoof oil and I broke several hoof oil brushes whilst trying to apply this (I should have read the label properly!). Cornucrescine works best if applied to clean hooves either by hand or with a tooth brush. You need to ensure you rub it well into the coronet band and any cracks and it will help maintain a healthy growth of horn, or accelerate hoof growth, whilst improving poor hooves.
By adding some of the above into your daily routine you will be well on your way to ensuring you're caring for the perfect hooves.
Here's some top tips to get your horses hooves looking and feeling the best this summer:-
- Apply hoof oil either every day, or every other day.
Carr & Day & Martin do a variety of hoof oils and ointments which can be varied depending on what you're trying to achieve. By applying hoof oil and ointments regularly you'll be helping to prevent those pesky splits and cracks which turn up during summer time!
- Pick out your horses feet every day with a hoof pick. The one day you don't do it might be the day he gets a stone wedged in between his shoe and hoof.
- Check shoes for wear and tear and signs that your farrier may be required. Risen clenches, pinching across the bulbs of the heel, overgrown and/or misshapen feet are just some of the important signs to look out for.
- Unshod horses need checking for splits, cracks, flares and overgrown misshapen hooves.
- Regular attention from your farrier will put you well on your way to ensuring your horses hooves stay healthy. Ensure that the farrier attends shod feet every four to six weeks and unshod feet every six to ten weeks.
Finding your perfect farrier can be a nightmare, but when you've got the right one look after him! Great care must be taken in finding the right farrier, so if you need some help ask your vet for recommendations.
Correct trimming and shoeing is vital to horse's welfare and any mistakes can lead to serious damage!
- Get into the habit of checking your horses feet after the farrier has visited. Does everything look normal?
- No horse should be lame a few days after being seen by the farrier. If he is, call him immediately to address the problem.
- Check the balance of the feet. The angle should be around 45-50 degrees from the ground
at the front and 50-55 degrees from the ground at the back.
- The sole of the foot should not be touching the ground in unshod horses.
- The sides of the frog should be trimmed. The frog should be level or slightly below the edge of the hoof wall.
If in doubt - always ask your farrier. A good farrier will take the time to explain things to you and help put your mind at ease.
What extra precautions do you take in summer and winter to ensure your horses hooves stay healthy and problem free?
To find out more about the products Carr & Day & Martin offer you can visit their
website.
1. Use a What Knot? hairnet as this will give the best comfort so preventing fidgeting and hair-line profile disturbance that can distract you from your competition and lose you marks
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