7 Worst Things You Can Do to Your Horse’s Feet

The adage “no hoof, no horse” is well worn for a reason: It tells us exactly how important hoof care is. In fact, proper maintenance of your horse’s feet may be the single most crucial factor for keeping him sound. And a simple mistake can be all it takes to turn a sound horse into a lame one.

As an equine veterinarian with almost 30 years in the trenches, I’ve seen certain hoof-care mistakes over and over. In this article, I’ll tell you about the seven most common blunders out there—what they are, the problems they might cause, and how to take aim against them.

Blunder #1

INFREQUENT FARRIER VISITS

Your farrier performs two key functions when he provides care. First, he helps to maintain the integrity and health of the structural components of your horse’s feet, including the hoof wall, sole, and frog. Second, he ensures that the feet remain in the proper balance. If you allow your horse’s