Photo by Anjajuli/Shutterstock
“No hoof, no horse” is a phrase that all horse owners can agree on. Your horse’s hooves are his foundation, so keeping them healthy and strong is essential no matter what time of year it is. Along with regular professional maintenance, plenty of exercise and other management, proper nutrition and healthy circulation play vital roles in hoof health. Daily support from key ingredients is a smart way to help ensure your horse is always ready to step up to the challenge.
While your horse’s hoof growth may slow down during the winter, it doesn’t stop completely. That means that your horse’s hoof support shouldn’t stop, either. Because hooves grow at an average rate of ¼” per month, the growth that you see at the coronary band now is the hoof that will be supporting your horse next summer.
Whether your horse is barefoot or shod, working with a knowledgeable hoof care professional is key to ensuring your horse maintains healthy, well-balanced hooves. Along with setting up a regular hoof maintenance schedule and sticking to it, there are other things you can do this season to help your horse put his best foot forward now and in the future. To learn how to battle fall and winter hoof health challenges from the inside and outside, check out SmartPak’s blog.
Horse Illustrated’s trusted partners bring readers important information about cool new products, research, and ways to better care for your horse and your horse’s home.
As winter winds down and soil temperatures start to rise, spring grass pops up all…
Plenty has been written about the prevention, causes, and treatment of founder, but less information…
Depending on the availability of indoor arenas, lights, and safe footing where you live, riding…
Needles and horses usually aren’t anyone’s favorite mix, but if you’re around horses long enough,…
Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L. Currently in first is Yasmin Ingham of Great…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
Read the full article about showing in hand in Horse Illustrated’s June 2024 issue! Here is some great content we…
Plenty has been written about the prevention, causes, and treatment of founder, but less information is available on whether or…
Depending on the availability of indoor arenas, lights, and safe footing where you live, riding throughout the winter can be…