The Foundation Hoof Care

No matter what, every horse owner must be prepared for having to deal with emergency hoof care situations. You could be
miles away from a stable. To have your horse turn up lame, refuse to walk and clang along with a loose shoe, can be scary. Most
of the time, real hoof care emergencies happen without any warning, and need to be dealt with as soon as possible because any
possible injury could affect the future soundness of your horse.

One thing we highly recommend is that you keep an emergency hoof care supply kit handy. The kit should include:

• Brushes and hoof picks so you can clean up and examine the hoof
• Emergency trail boots in case the hoof needs protection
• A few basic farrier tools so that you can pull a shoe and trim the hoof if required
• Hoof testers
• Some bandages for pads and to hold bandages or poultices in place
• Ice boots and/or packs if there’s pain or inflammation
• Some sort of barrier to keep the dirt out
• Povidone-iodine and epsom salts

Ideally, you should practice emergencies with your horse - like making sure they'll enter a trailer! Learn a bit about recognizing
emergencies and the symptoms of a hoof emergency. Of course, keep key phone numbers handy - like your vet and your
farrier.

Your horse could step on a nail or some sharp object. If it doesn’t remain in the foot, then clean it up and wrap it to keep the dirt out. If it does remain embedded, try to get a hold of your vet or farrier. If you do remove it, mark the exact spot, put on some antiseptic. Wrap it up to keep the dirt out.

If your horse throws a shoe while out raiding, or if it comes loose, pull off the dangling shoe and put a hoof boot on until you get back. Also, familiarize yourself with the most common hoof diseases, since they also can lead to an emergency situation if left unchecked. 

If you notice sudden lameness, check for puncture wounds. Clean the bottom of the hoof - check for rocks, glass, nails, and for anything else that could have possibly done the damage. If there’s heat around the coronary band, it may indicate an abscess within the foot.

Broadly speaking, just about all but the smallest of hoof issues require the attention of a farrier or veterinarian. It's best to have it looked at right away. Waiting even a few days may lead to permanent lameness - and/or cost significantly more to correct!

Most horses don't live natural lives anymore. They live in pastures, paddocks, and stables, and because they don't get a lot of
exercise, they don’t get a chance to toughen their feet in their natural habitat.

In sum, daily inspection regular hoof cleaning - at minimum before and after every ride - but several times a week is best, regular trimming and shoeing are the bridges that gap the unnatural state that horses live in. Doing these things will prevent most hoof problems - and expenses.

We're always happy to teach our clients everything they need to know about hoof care and how to deal with emergencies!