Most people have heard the saying, “No foot, no horse.” However, many horse owners do not realize that simply taking a few minutes every day to inspect their horse’s hooves can help avoid many costly and painful foot problems. However, this is a critically important aspect of horse care.
If your horse is shod, then inspecting the hooves daily can alert you to problems before a shoe is lost. Especially in the summer as horses are stomping at flies or during the wet season where the horse may be moving through mud, shoes will often loosen before falling off. Check for any nails that may be shearing or any looseness. If you find anything, call your farrier.
Hooves should also be cleaned daily to prevent infections like thrush, as well as stone bruises and abscesses that may be caused by stones being caught in hoof. This is true for stalled or pastured horses, as well as ones that are barefoot or shod. In addition, it can help alert you to injuries caused by nails or other hazards.
Inspecting your horse’s hooves daily goes a long way to preventing many problems. This is one simple aspect of horse care that should not be overlooked.