Tying up your horse before cleaning its hooves is a safety measure for both you and your horse. Tie up the horse using a quick release knot so that it can’t move but you can untie it easily. If you’re using cross ties, make sure they have quick-release snaps.
Work gloves Hoof pick Hoof brush Files or rasps for hoof trimming
Coming up behind a horse and touching it before it hears or sees you can cause it to kick or harm you out of fear. Instead, make your presence known by talking to the horse as you approach it. Start by scratching its neck and gradually work your way down its leg.
If you cannot get your horse to stay calm, you may need to get someone else to help you. Have them pet and calm the horse while you begin the cleaning process. If you have a horse that is anxious or untrained, it may take some time to get it comfortable enough with you to be able to clean its hooves.
You can either hold the hoof with one hand and pick with the other or you can put the hoof between your thighs so that you have both hands free. This depends on what is most comfortable for you and your horse. Keep your feet together and pointed away from the horse. This will protect them a bit if the horse decides to put its foot down. As your horse gets used to the process, you can train it to lift its hoof for you when you get into position. This will make cleaning the hooves easier. [4] X Research source
Don’t be too forceful or dig too deep or you could damage the horse’s hoof. If your horse is wearing shoes, make sure to clean away any debris that might be lodged between the sole of the hoof and the underside of the shoe.
Make sure you are careful when cleaning the frog in particular. The hoof is pretty strong, so you’d have to pick pretty hard to injure it. However, you can hurt the horse if press the pick in really hard. Visualize how the inner part of the hoof is shaped so that you know what areas need to be cleaned out.
When you are done removing debris you should be able to see all of the parts of the bottom of the hoof: the frog, the sole, and the outside wall of the hoof. [6] X Research source
Position the hoof between your thighs or in your hand again and clean out the hoof the same way as you did with the front hooves.
Cleaning out the hooves is typically just one part of a daily grooming routine.
When a horseshoe is nailed on, it is nailed into the wall of the hoof. This can cause cracking if not done properly.
Cracks should be treated so that they do not begin to cause the horse pain and negatively impact the animal’s gait. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the crack, so consult with a farrier or a veterinarian if you are unsure how to proceed. A farrier is a person who cares for horses’ hooves professionally. If you catch the crack early enough, you should be able to easily repair it.
Typically horses need their hooves trimmed every 4-6 weeks. If you don’t have any experience trimming horses’ hooves then you might want to hire a farrier. Horses’ hooves are very sensitive, so it’s important you know what you’re doing before you try to trim them. While it is important to trim overgrown hooves, it’s also important not to trim them too short. A hoof that is trimmed too short can cause the horse discomfort and can impact its gait. [7] X Research source
Any open wounds should be treated so that an infection can be avoided or controlled. In general, treatment includes cleaning out the wound, applying medication to the infection or injury, and keeping the area clean by wrapping it and changing out the wrappings regularly. Look at the surface of the sole. If it is red or bruised this may be a sign that the horse’s hooves have been cut too short. Look for black discharge around the frog. This is a sign that your horse has a thrush infection. This is treated by keeping the area clean and dry until the condition clears up. Clear any dirt from the area where the fur meets the hoof wall using a soft-bristled brush. Then, inspect the area for any soft spots or wounds.
