If you’ve ever held a horse while it is being shod, you’ve probably experienced the giant cloud of pungent smoke that develops when a farrier places a hot shoe against the sole of a horse’s hoof. But is this rather uncomfortable looking process necessary for your horse to have a good fit in his shoes?
When [...]
Cold Shoeing vs. Hot Shoeing
Therapeutic Horseshoeing
In recent years, the art of therapeutic and corrective shoeing has come a long way, and now many lame horses can be given new pain-free lives, and can even resume work. Depending on the situation, there are many types of shoes to help your horse – here are just a few:
Heart-Bar Shoes. These shoes circle [...]
How to Find a Good Farrier
Since good shoeing and trimming are vital to keeping your horse sound and healthy it is very important that when the time comes to have your horse trimmed and shod, you trust the person who is working on his feet. Here are some tips to finding a good and reliable farrier:
Word [...]
Dealing with Club Foot in Horses
A club foot in horses is identified by a severely dished toe and a heel that is much too high. In severe cases, it looks almost as though the horse is standing on stilts. Club foot is thought to be a genetic problem, and is mostly seen in Arabian and Morgan horses. Although severe cases [...]
Picking Your Horse’s Feet
Regular cleaning and hoof picking is vital to the overall health of your horse’s feet. They should be picked out before and after every ride to prevent stone bruises and discomfort, and always carry a hoof pick with you on your rides in case your horse picks up an uncomfortable stone. For safe and easy [...]
Why is My Horse Throwing His Shoes?
A horse who continually turns up with a thrown shoe can be incredibly frustrating for the horse owner and the farrier. Not only is it expensive to constantly replace pulled shoes, but it also impacts on your ability to ride and exercise your horse. It may be easy to blame the farrier for lost shoes, [...]
Are Hoof Boots Right for My Horse?
Although they are becoming more commonplace, hoof boots are often not immediately thought of as a necessary item for your horse. And yet, they can easily save a lot of headaches and might even be a viable alternative to shoeing your horse!
Many horse owners who prefer to keep their horses barefoot find that using boots [...]
How to Poultice a Horse’s Hoof
The traditional method for dealing with a hoof abscess has typically involved daily foot soaks in Epsom salts. But could this actually be damaging your horse’s foot, instead of helping it to heal? When excess moisture enters the hoof wall, it causes damage by softening and weakening it, which can lead to the horse walking [...]
Puncture Wounds to the Hoof
Any time when the hoof structure is compromised, there is potential for a dangerous, even life-threatening, situation for your horse. Puncture wounds to the hoof are particularly devastating and require immediate attention. Most hoof punctures occur through the sole and are usually caused by nails, either during the shoeing process or picked up on the [...]
Dealing with Hoof Cracks
Hoof cracks are a common problem for many horse owners, and typically take a relatively long time to heal. Preventing hoof cracks is a much easier job than dealing with them, and some relatively simple stable management techniques can ward off these painful and irritating injuries.
Keep your horse’s feet dry. [...]
Should Your Horse go Barefoot?
Many horse owners take shoeing their horse for granted, but in reality many horses can go barefoot with little difficulty. Here are some questions to consider if you are looking at making the jump from shoes to barefoot:
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What type of feet does your horse have? Some breeds, such [...]
Standing for the Farrier
A horse that doesn’t stand quietly for the farrier is a danger both to himself and to those working around him. Try these steps to make your horse more comfortable during a farrier visit:
If your horse doesn’t like being separated from his buddies, try having a quiet horse close by that your horse can bond [...]
Preparing Your Horse for the Clippers
If you want to use clippers to prepare your horse for a show or to get his winter coat under control, you’ll need to make sure he is thoroughly prepared for what is, to most horses, a very scary experience. As with any training, take your time and don’t rush the process – it may [...]
How to Treat a Hoof Abscess
If you find your horse suddenly and acutely lame, and he can barely put pressure on the affected foot, it’s very possible he has a hoof abscess. The first thing to do in a case like this is to call your vet or farrier. After using hoof-testers to locate the abscess, they will cut open [...]
What to do When Your Horse has Thrush
If you’ve noticed a foul, strong odor accompanied by a black, oozing discharge when picking out your horse’s feet, it’s likely he has a case of thrush. Occurring most often through the rainy winter months, thrush is the result of a bacterial infection that can develop if your horse is frequently standing on wet ground. [...]
What to do When Your Horse Loses a Shoe
Having secure shoes is probably the most important thing for a horse. Riding a horse who is missing a shoe can lead to major health problems for the horse. There are many different circumstances under which a horse can lose his shoe. If you handle the situation properly you can dramatically improve your horse’s chances [...]