No Hoof, No Horse- Understanding the Impact of Hoof Care on Horse Health
We as horse owners understand the importance of proper hoof care. Check out the tips below to help promote the hoof health of your horse.
Hoof Care Tips
- Know what your horse’s normal is. Having a good knowledge of what your horse’s baseline is can be helpful for you to spot when something is wrong. If you are unsure what to look for ask your farrier for some input on what your horse’s normal is and what you can look for.
- If your horse is shod, check the shoes regularly. While your picking/cleaning your horse’s feet, (which you should do regularly too) check the shoes for irregularities and issues.
- For horse’s in a dry climate or if the hooves appear dry and are cracking you can use coconut oil as a natural hoof conditioner. Also check your horse’s diet and talk to your farrier and/or veterinarian, because sometimes this is can be a sign of deficiency in the horse’s diet or a larger horse health concern.
- If your horse is being kept in moist or muddy conditions you can help promote health by using Thieves essential oil, Thieves cleaner, Thieves spray, or the Purification essential oil blend. Add a few drops to the hoof when you clean the horse’s feet or spray a small amount of the Thieves cleaner on the hoof. If you can let them dry out for even a short period of time it can be helpful.
- For times where a drawing salve is needed, I like to make an Epsom salt paste from Animal Scents Ointment and pack it in the hoof. Check with your veterinarian or farrier for recommendations on how to wrap the hoof if you are not familiar with how to pack and wrap.
- As mentioned above, check that your horse’s nutrition is supporting proper hoof growth. A good trace mineral supplement is a great start. You can either provide a mineral block or even a daily trace mineral supplement like Fore74.
- Exercise and increased circulation help promote hoof health as well. A regular exercise plan, even short walks are helpful. Using liniments or standing therapy boots can be a supportive option to increase circulation on certain horses.
By following these simple tips above you can start increasing the health and vitality of your horse through proper hoof care. If you want to establish a firm foundation of health for your horse by grabbing your copy of my book Healthy as a Horse and discover the forgotten framework of care that can transform your horse’s health. Click here to reserve your copy now.
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Life is better when you’re horsin’ around!
