| By :
Patricia Strasser
The importance of looking after the hooves of your horse is aptly conveyed by the adage "No foot, no horse." If you neglect the hooves of a horse then it leads to discomfort, pain, disfigurement and even lameness. Diseases and infections can also the effects of hooves that are not properly cared. Be sure you understand what routines you must follow and be sure to have good hoof care products at hand so that you can do everything necessary to care for your horse's hooves. You need to be familiar with the horse's feet If you lack familiarity with the characteristics and anatomy of a horse's foot, you may want to do some research on the topic. General knowledge and background information will help you understand how your horse's feet should look and will help you determine whether the feet are healthy and normal or if they have abnormal characteristics. The front part of a horse's foot is normally like a rubber. But, during your horse's shedding period, it is very normal for the frog to look dry. This will use bad smells, debris, and cracks on your horse's hooves. Regularly pick your horse's feet You can pick your horse's feet if you notice any stones and debris wedged in them. Keeping the hooves free of foreign objects by regular cleaning or picking will enable you to keep an eye on any signs of injuries. By following these steps you can prevent serious consequences to your horse's health in the future. You need to pick your horse's feet before riding or walking your horse to remove any debris which can cause soreness after the activity. By using a hoof pick, you can remove debris from the horse's hooves like stones and dirt that can be stuck inside the frog (a part of the hoof). Be sure to closely check the frog for any signs of bacterial infection which you can detect from a foul smell and secretions. You should be able limit hooves of a horse You must ensure that you trim and level hooves regularly whether your horse is wearing horseshoes or is allowed to walk barefoot. Be certain to get horseshoes that fit properly for size. Loose horse shoes can cause discomfort and in extreme cases lameness, so make sure the horseshoes are not loose. Make sure that the nails fasten the shoes securely in place and that no stones or other debris are wedged between the horseshoes and the rim. The farrier must be visited regularly Farriers have the ability to give you expert advice on lots of hoof health concerns that you might have. Never forget to visit on a regular basis. The farrier should be regularly visited at four to six week intervals during the summer months and a slightly longer period over the winter months. If your horse is wearing corrective shoes you are likely to have to visit the farrier more frequently. The hooves of your horse will affect the overall welfare and health of the animal. Therefore, you must learn to give time and invest in the right products which can improve the health of its hooves.
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
