Looking after your horse's hooves: daily care, farriers and diet

A horse's hooves carry the whole weight of the horse, so keeping them healthy is a key part of horse care. Good hoof health comes from daily care, regular farriery and a balanced diet.

Daily hoof care

Pick out your horse's feet every day, and check each hoof for:

• Stones or other objects wedged in the sole or around the frog
• Heat, by feeling the hoof wall with the back of your hand and comparing feet
• Cracks or chips in the hoof wall
• Bad smells or black, crumbly material around the frog, which can be a sign of thrush

Contact your vet or farrier if you notice anything unusual, or if a problem keeps coming back.

Regular farrier visits

Hooves grow all the time and need regular trimming, whether or not your horse wears shoes. Book a registered farrier regularly, often every 6 to 8 weeks. Your farrier will advise on the right interval for your horse.

In Great Britain, only a registered farrier can legally shoe a horse.

Signs of laminitis

Contact your vet urgently if your horse is lame, reluctant to move or has hot feet, as these can be signs of laminitis.

Laminitis is a painful condition affecting the feet, and quick treatment matters.

Diet and hoof health

Hooves are made mainly of keratin, a type of protein, so what your horse eats affects hoof quality. A balanced diet, built around good-quality forage, gives your horse a good base of the nutrients they need.

Good-quality protein, vitamins and minerals all play a part in healthy hooves. Many horses get what they need from forage and a suitable balanced feed. Your horse's needs can change with their workload, age and health, so check their diet with your vet or an equine nutritionist.

Supplements

If your horse's diet may be short of minerals, ask your vet or an equine nutritionist before adding supplements, as too much of some minerals, such as selenium, can be harmful.

A supplement should be chosen to fill a real gap in your horse's diet. Adding several products at once can lead to an imbalance.

Genetics

Genetics also play a part. Some horses naturally have strong feet, while others are more prone to weak or brittle hooves and may need closer attention to their diet, care and farriery.

Activity and age

Horses in regular work put more strain on their feet, so their hooves and diet need careful attention. Any horse can develop hoof problems at any stage of life. If you're unsure what your horse needs, speak to your vet, your farrier or an equine nutritionist.