Have you ever heard that old saying about ‘No hoof, no horse?’ Many of those old colloquialisms may not make a whole lot of sense in the modern world, but this is one saying that is just as true and just as important as it was the first time someone said it. Your horse’s hoof health is absolutely crucial to their overall health and well-being. This is also an area where a small issue can rapidly turn into an extremely dangerous one. Left untreated, hoof problems can affect horses’ gait, soundness, and, unfortunately, their futures. A local Walton County vet goes over some key basics of hoof care in this article.
What Are Some Common Hoof Diseases?
Horses are susceptible to a variety of different hoof ailments. Thrush, laminitis, abscesses, and founder are some of the most common, but horses can also get arthritis, bruises, White Line disease, Palmar Hoof syndrome, bone cysts, fractures, cancer of the frog, and many other problems.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones:
Thrush: Thrush is actually the most common hoof disease. In fact, one Dutch study found that a whopping 45% of the horses examined had thrush. This develops when bacterial infections attack the frog of the hoof. Thrush often develops when horses are kept in wet and/or dirty conditions. However, hoof conformation can also play a role. You may notice a foul smell coming from your horse’s feet before you notice any lameness or limping.
Bruising: Just like people, horses sometimes just get bruises. This can happen if your horse steps on a sharp rock, but can also be the result of trauma or poor farrier work. Hoof bruises are often somewhat visible to the naked eye, in that you may notice some discoloration. This type of injury will typically resolve itself if the horse is allowed to rest. Protective footwear may also be necessary. However, if the issue isn’t addressed, there is a chance that the bruise could get worse, and could develop into an abscess.
White Line Disease: Caused by bacterial and fungal infections, White Line Disease attacks the innermost layers of the hoof wall. Generally, bacteria gets in through a small crack or separation, causing an infection to the fragile tissues within.
Laminitis: Laminitis is extremely painful, and can cause severe damage. This condition happens when the laminae—tissues that connect the hoof wall to the foot—begin to detach from the coffin bone. It is most often triggered by dietary changes or poor diet. One instance would be if a horse suddenly turned out to a pasture with grass that has a high sugar content. However, it can also develop as a secondary condition due to another issue. It’s often seen in horses with Cushing’s Disease. Other risk factors include uneven weight distribution due to lameness, colic, strangles, or pregnancy-induced insulin resistance.
What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Hoof Problems?
Lameness and limping are the two biggest red flags, and should be a sign that your horse needs immediate attention. However, they aren’t the only ones.
Here are some of the other warning signs:
- Strange Gait
- Behavior Changes
- Heat or Swelling
- Abnormalities in Hoof Shape
- Foul Odor
- Cracks
- Heat
You may also notice some behavioral issues. Your horse may not want his feet handled, and he may be reluctant to walk or run on hard surfaces. Some horses get cranky or defensive about having their feet or legs touched, so you may also see things like biting, flattened ears, and other indications of annoyance.
How Do You Keep Your Horse’s Hooves Healthy?
Good Conditions: Paddocks and pastures sometimes get muddy, especially in spring or after heavy rains. Having a good drainage system can make all the difference here. Proper grading is key. This also applies inside the barn. We also can’t overstate the importance of clean bedding. Make sure that Silver’s stall is cleaned daily.
Farrier Care: Regular trims are crucial. Even small imbalances in a horse’s hooves can put stress and strain on his feet, which can quickly grow into deeper issues, such as issues with the soft tissues and ligaments.
As far as scheduling goes, every horse is a bit different. You’ll want to follow your vet and farrier’s recommendations. That said, as a very general rule of thumb, we would suggest getting your equine pal his pedicures about every six to eight weeks in summer. Horses’ hooves grow more slowly in winter, so you may be able to space it out a bit more in cold weather.
Turnout Time: Turnout is important for horses for several reasons. In the wild, horses are always on the move, looking for the next patch of grass. They’re really just not made to stand still for long periods of time. Make sure that Silver is getting proper turnout.
Exercise: Horses are very mobile naturally. Turnout time is important, but many horses need more exercise than that. Also, horses are often happiest if they have a job to do or duty to perform. Of course, every horse is a bit different. A senior pony won’t have the stamina of a three-year-old Quarter Horse. Make sure that Silver is getting the right type and amount of activity.
Proper Bedding
Clean bedding is crucial, but it’s also important that you have the right type of bedding. Certain types of bedding are quite acidic, and can actually change the PH of the soil. That’s dangerous, because it can then create conditions in which bacteria thrive. Be cautious when choosing beddings, and be extra careful with those made from coniferous trees, such as pine.
Hoof Picking
Horses are definitely not low maintenance: they are most likely the most high maintenance of all our companion animals. You’ll need to pick out and inspect Silver’s hooves daily, even if he hasn’t been ridden.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is also crucial to Silver’s hoof health. As mentioned above, too much grain—particularly sweet feed—can put horses at risk of laminitis. You’ll want to make sure that your horse is getting good hay, the proper vitamins and minerals, and a suitable amount and type of grain. The exact menu will vary a bit from horse to horse, and will also depend on the horse’s age, health, and exercise level. Talk to your vet to get specific recommendations.
Hoof Care Products
There are lots of great products on the market these days. While some are specifically designed to address specific issues, others are just good for overall care.
Hoof oils can be very helpful for certain conditions. If your horse gets dry hooves, you may want to add hoof oil into Silver’s regular grooming routine. Of course, choosing the right product is key here.
Some of the ingredients that tend to be helpful overall include biotin, iodine, methionine, and zinc. Phospholipids, omega fatty acids, and amino acids can also be very beneficial.
Other beneficial vitamins and minerals include the following:
- Calcium
- MSM
- Yeast
- DL-Methionine
- Chelated Copper
- Vitamin A
- Omega 3
- Vitamin C
- Phosphorous
- Aspartic acid
- Sodium
- Choline
Ask your vet for more specific advice about supplements and hoof care products. This is also a topic you’ll want to revisit regularly, as your horses’ needs will change over time.
Make An Appointment With Our Walton County Animal Clinic
Do you have questions or concerns about your horse’s hooves? Contact us, your local Walton County animal clinic, anytime! We are dedicated to offering both great care and great customer service.
