Healthy Hooves

Your horse grooming kit is not complete unless you have the proper tools to clean those hooves. To properly clean your horse's hooves, stand next to the animal, facing his rear, not his head. Then, slide your hand gently and slowly down the back of his leg before grabbing and raising each foot—this will give him fair warning so that you will not take the horse by surprise. Next, remove all debris and mud from each hoof using a hoof pick. To do so correctly, start with the heel and make your way towards the toe. Be sure that you remove all caked mud and dirt that may have made its way into any nook or cranny of the hoof. Take extreme caution around the frog (the soft, sensitive tissue in the middle of the foot). Then, scrub away any leftover dirt with a good hoof brush. Examine the foot looking for black and chunky areas, cracks, or foul smells that could indicate thrush. Also make sure that none of the shoes are loose. Finally, feel for any abrasions or lumps on the legs and feet that might indicate a health problem.