Taking care of hooves is a crucial part of ensuring your horses overall health. It’s advisable to look at your horses hooves daily, and minimum two times each week.  You should become familiar with what is usual and what isn’t, and be able to to notice any issues that might be beginning.

Using this simple checklist might help you in your daily routiene.

1. Approaching your horse be sure the symmetry is close, however they do not have to be exactly equal, but very similar to the same size and form.

2. Examine for defects in the hoof wall and coronary band.  Raise up each hoof, run your hand over the outside of the wall to notice any impairments.  You can use the exact procedure for the coronary band and then squeeze it softly. Using these two procedures will also point out soft areas and water bearing areas.

3. Examine the sole. Check the colour of each hoof. If correct they should be the same in colour.  A well delineated dark spot indicates a bruise or damage.

4. Look at and compare the frogs.  The hooves at the front should be the sae size and shapeand it should be a similr case with the hooves at the rear. You should lightly press each frog using your hoof pick, mostly, with the exception of desert areas, it should be a little spongy.

5. If your horse is shod, grasp the horseshoe and see if it wiggles. Examine for missing clinches, if the shoe is loose you may choose to remove the shoe in case your horse misplaces it on its own and risks taking a section of hoof with it.

If you frequently check each hoof, you will be able to avoid a lot of problems by catching the problem before it worsens.

It is recommended you work into your routiene some quick steps. Use your pick working from heel to toe.  If packed tightly you might need to loosen it up somewhat before it is removed. Once all the debris is taken out, look at all the regions of the hoof and make sure that there isn’t a smelly odour as this is usually a clear sign of thrush.  Make sure there aren’t any rocks or gravel embedded anywhere, particularly beneath the shoe.

The hooves should show a natural gloss on the hoof wall.

If you find a smooth level surface free of cracks, circles, depressions, flares and a concave sole that touches the shoe, then you should be confident that the hooves are in great shape.

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