Proper horse foot care is more that making sure their hooves don’t get too long. Keeping them properly manicured for shoes or running barefoot is key to a horse’s performance.
I’ve trimmed my horses’ hooves plenty of times, but really never the how best to go about it. My buddy Devlin is pretty handy and volunteered to help. So him and his daughter Charlotte came out to trim the horses’ hooves.
Taking time to clean the sole and frog are important to good hoof health. One main problem is bacteria building up in these places and weakening parts of the foot.
I usually trimmed a hoof flat as if I was going to shoe it. Devlin likes to trim the quarters higher than the heal and toe. Keeping the pressure where it needs to be. There are many theories out there on the best way to trim a hoof. But this line of thinking mimics the mustangs who run many miles daily with no shoes at all.
The same goes for the hinds. This nifty little stand helps save a guy’s back.
Chief’s are easy. Mollie’s flat get out of hand.
Well done.
Devlin has a good way about him. Calm and commanding usually bodes well for horse, farrier, and owner. Good work, son.
People and horses both, happy feet make all the difference.
ReplyDelete