Saturday, December 18, 2010

Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: 5 Basic Hoof Care Routines For A Healthy Horse

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.


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To gather information about horse hoof
supplements, check out
http://www.e3liveforhorses.com/.


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