All domestic horses require having complete, regular hoof care. Hooves that are unmaintained will result to unpleasant looking and unbalanced hoofs which in turn affects the hoof’s internal workings, legs’ tendons and ligaments and mainly the horse’s movement. So how often should your horse see the farrier for trimming? It will depend on your horse’s activities as well as the type of riding you do. Generally, most horses should get trimming every eight weeks. There are horses that require a more frequent farrier visit such as those used for competition. This is because horses used for competition require to have…
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Many horse owners are curious about the right time for their foal’s first trim. Many believe that hoof care is necessary when the foal is a year old or is starting with its riding training. If you are concerned about the welfare of your foal then waiting a year is a big NO. As hooves get long, break or wear unevenly or not break and wear at all, they can potentially cause leg strain and deviation. The more your foal matures the more difficult the corrections will be since as it matures, its bones continue to harden and joints formalize….
A horse’s hoof is an amazing piece of workmanship. It serves as a pump and shock observer. For it to work properly, it should be able to flex, contract and expand. The entire hoof supports the horse, thus when able to work properly, the hoof can minimize soreness, fatigue, lameness as well as other issues. Horses left in the wild do not possess laminitis or navicular disease. These horses have heels that are not contracted as well as do not have quarter cracks. They have amazingly sturdy soles and frogs as well as thick hoof walls. They are tough and…
The health of the hooves will affect the overall health of your horse. The best way to enhance the health of your horse’s hooves is to make sure to properly feed your horse with a complete yet balanced nutritional ration. The feed program will vary from fast growing foals, performance horse to old horses. Poor quality hooves have horns that show poor structural integrity. Hooves having poor quality horns will have a slow growth rate. To effectively create the proper feeding program, below is a view of the basic essential hoof nutrients as well as the potential outcome of hoof…