Danada Equestrian Center: Hoof Care

Volunteer Team Talks

Hoof Care

There's and old saying, "NO FOOT, NO HORSE."
WHY IS THAT TRUE? Neglect can lead to lameness and improper foot action.

The Anatomy of the Foot.

The foot refers to the hoof and all its internal structures. The hoof is the hard outside of the foot including the Coronary band, wall, sole, white line and frog.

Coronary Band—The point where the hoof wall originates from the pastern.
Hoof wall—is like a fingernail which continuously grows. It starts at the CORONARY BAND. It is the thickest at the TOE.
White line—separates the hoof wall from the sole.
Sole—

Covers the bottom of the hoof.
Protects it from injury from below.
The cells on the ground-surface are dead and have no sensitivity or nerve endings.
The sole is concave

Frog—

Is an elastic triangle or wedge-shaped structure located between the bars.
Acts like the tread of a tire and gives the foot traction.
It helps absorb concussion and acts like a small pump to stimulate circulation in the foot.

Cleaning: To clean the foot the horse must lift the foot on cue and hold it up for the procedure.

Grip the hoof pick and hold it in your hand so the pick comes out of the bottom of the fist facing away from you.
Facing the back of the horse, use one hand to hold the foot by the hoof & coronary band area.
Start picking by the heel on either side of the frog with the hoof pick, and work towards the toe.
Be sure the cleft in the middle of the frog is gently probed to remove dirt & manure.
Pay special attention to thoroughly excavate the grooves on either side of the frog where thrush builds up.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD HORSES HAVE THEIR FEET CLEANED?
Pick the feet daily, to prevent horses from collecting rocks and debris that can create lameness.

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF USING A HOOF PICK?
To remove dirt and stones.

INSPECTION
after cleaning is very important.

WHAT DO WE INSPECT THE FOOT FOR?
Rocks, puncture wounds, nails, bruises, loose or lost shoes, abnormal growth, cracks, and splitting. Hard Foot can result from dryness and Soft Foot too much moisture.

Examine the foot very closely to ensure the cleft, sole, and frog are in good condition.
A healthy hoof does not have a chalky residue, is not excessively spongy.
A horse that receives regular hoof care is potentially a safer ride. They are less apt to slip, stumble, and fall and sustain injuries.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN ARISE WHEN HOOF CARE IS INFREQUENT OR NOT DONE?

Thrush—is a fungal infection like athletes' feet; it is the infection of the frog.
HOW DOES THRUSH OCCUR? Thrush thrives in hooves that stand in manure and wet filth for a long time.

SYMPTOMS: A black sticky, smelly substance in clefts and creases of the hoof.

TREATMENT:

Clean out feet thoroughly once a day.
Place Koppertox on infected area using only a few drops; too much Koppertox or thrush remedy can do damage to healthy hoof tissues.
If severe, pick out and pack with cotton and an antibacterial or antifungal.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF THRUSH IS UNTREATED?
Chronic lameness or a secondary infection can set in resulting in fever.

Canker (hoof rot)—An infection of the whole foot which results in a foul odor and discharge from the disintegrating frog. Cause: Thrush gone wild.
Abscesses—Can cause a horse to go suddenly dead lame in one foot. Cause: A puncture wound or bruise.
Cracks—When they start at the bottom and go up it is caused from a thin or dry hoof wall or caused by improper trimming. When the crack starts at the top and goes to the bottom it can be caused by a disturbance in the hoof growth due to a bruise or injury to the coronary band.

TRIMMING—Is necessary to prevent sand cracks and breaking off of the hoof wall which often results in lameness.

IS CLEANING A HORSE'S HOOF PAINFUL TO THE HORSE?
NO, unless the horse has a severe infection/abscess.

WHAT ARE OTHER REASONS TRIMMING IS IMPORTANT?
To balance the hooves so a horse moves consistently and at its best.

OTHER REASONS FOR TRIMMING
Horses need to be trimmed to keep the hooves in the condition as close as possible to which nature intended.

CONCLUSION: A HORSE THAT RECEIVES REGULAR HOOF CARE IS A SAFER, HAPPIER ANIMAL TO WORK WITH AND RIDE. THE HORSE IS LESS APT TO SLIP, STUMBLE, AND FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURIES. WITHOUT HEALTHY FEET A HORSE IS IN TROUBLE.

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