There are many things that can cause issues with your horse’s hooves. These issues can escalate, resulting in permanent damage. Regular inspections are absolutely vital to prevent damage from occurring. Here are 4 tips for properly caring for your horse’s hooves.

1. Regular Trimming or Shoeing

            Ensure that your horse has appropriate shoes for the weather and existing trail conditions. You must have your horse’s hooves trimmed or shod every 6-12 weeks, depending on the horse’s hoof growth. The period between services should be shorter in the summer and can be slightly longer in the winter, because their hooves don’t grow as quickly during the cold seasons.

2. Proper Nutrition

            Nutrition plays a significant role in creating healthy hooves. Feed your horse good quality hay and ensure that they have constant access to water. A watering system, such as the Bar-Bar-A waterer, is an easy way to ensure that your horse always has access to clean, safe water.

            You should consult with your veterinarian to determine the ideal nutrition plan for your horse. You may want to consider adding hoof supplements to promote healthy growth. This can help your horse’s hooves stay healthy.

3. Regular Inspection

            You must inspect and clean your horse’s hooves regularly. This must be done before and after each ride, at the very least. This can help you find issues early on, before they become more severe. Remove all dirt and check for cracks. Consistently use hoof moisturizer to prevent cracks from occurring. This is especially important when conditions fluctuate or become drier. If you find a foreign object that has penetrated the horse’s sole, do not remove it yourself. Wrap it up and call your vet immediately.

4. Reduce Moisture Exposure

            Ensure that your horse’s stall is clean and dry. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause the hooves to soften. Repetitive softening and hardening can result in cracking and other issues, as well as make the hooves more vulnerable.

            Caring for your horse’s hooves properly will allow you to catch any problems in the first few hours. It is important to follow these steps to prevent serious injury from occurring. Hoof care isn’t an extra burden; it is a very necessary part of adequate equine health care.

Knowing the warning signs will help prepare you for an equine emergency. This can help prevent significant illnesses or injuries from escalating. Ensure that you know when the signs indicate an emergency and when they can wait until the morning.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be as simple as the horse adjusting to a new food, but severe diarrhea can cause extreme dehydration. If it continues after multiple bowel movements (three or more), you should check the horse’s vital signs. Intestinal problems are often contagious, so you should quarantine the horse to prevent it from spreading.

If the horse’s vital signs are normal, you can probably wait until regular office hours to call. Ensure that you keep an eye on the horse and make certain it drinks enough water. Consider soaking the horse’s food in water, as well. If the vital signs are abnormal, you should call your vet immediately.

Eye Issues

Eyesight is extremely important for your horse, so eye issues are generally considered emergency situations. Keep an eye out for signs of tearing, swelling, or reddening in the eyes. Examine the eye for foreign material and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Fever

If your horse has a fever, monitor a few other signs to determine the seriousness of the situation. If the horse is simply lethargic with no other adverse signs, you can wait to contact the vet until regular office hours. However, if the fever is accompanied by signs of colic, diarrhea, or neurologic issues, you should contact your vet immediately.  

Neurologic Signs

Neurologic signs are always considered an emergency. A horse displaying these symptoms can be extremely dangerous to be around. Neurological conditions may be contagious, so quarantining will be necessary. Signs of neurological illness include:

• Stumbling
• Loss of balance
• Incoordination
• Droopy lips, eyelids, or ears
• Severe depression characterized by a lack of reaction to normal stimulation
• Acute onset blindness

Colic Signs

Colic is an umbrella term that encompasses abdominal pain in horses. It can be caused by very simple things, such as built up gas, or more severe conditions, like twisted intestines. Because it envelops such a broad range of scenarios, you should contact your vet to determine the seriousness.

Sudden Lameness

If a horse suddenly shows signs of lameness, you should contact your vet immediately. If it seems like a leg can’t support its weight, it is generally in an extreme amount of pain. Do not force the horse to move, even if you are trying to examine it.

If you’re ever unsure whether a situation is an emergency or not, it is always better to err on the side of caution. It is preferable to catch every small problem than to miss a large one. Keep your horse safe and healthy!