Using this simple guide might help you in your grooming practices.
1. Approaching your horse ensure the symmetry is releatively close, they don't have to be perfectly equal, but very similar to the same size and shape.
2. Examine for faults in the hoof wall and coronary band. Lift up each hoof, run your palm along the outside of the wall to pickup any impairments. Apply the same technique for the coronary band and then squeeze it softly. Using these two techniques will also show soft spots and moisture holding areas.
3. Carefully inspect the sole. Examine the colour of every hoof. Ideally they should be identical in colour. A clearly delineated dark spot indicates bruising or hole.
4. Look at and compare the frogs. The hooves at the front should be of similar proportions and shape, the same applies to the back hooves. Try and softly depress each frog with your hoof pick, in the majority of areas, apart from the desert areas, it should be slightly spongy.
5. If already shod, grasp the shoe and see if it moves. Look for lost clinches, if the shoe is loose you might choose to take off the shoe before your horse misplaces it on its own and risks taking a section of hoof with it.
If you regularly check your horses hooves, you will be able to avoid a lot of issues by catching the problem early.
It is recommended you include into your hoof cleaning routiene a few quick steps. Use your pick from heel to toe. If packed solid you may need to loosen it up a touch before it is taken off. Once the material is removed, check all the regions of the hoof and make sure that there isn't a smelly odour as this is often a obvious indicator of thrush. Make sure there are no rocks or gravel stuck anywhere, particularly under the shoe.
Your horses hooves should display a natural sheen on the wall of the hoof.
If you find a smooth level surface with no cracks, circles, depressions, flares and a concave sole which touches the shoe, then you should be pretty sure that the hooves are in good condition.
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