Using this simple checklist will hopefully help you in your daily grooming practices.
1. Looking at your horse be sure the symmetry is releatively close, they do not have to be perfectly equal, but very similar to being the same size and form.
2. Carefully examine for faults in the wall and coronary band. Raise up the hoof, run your hand along the exterior of the wall to pickup any defects. Use the exact technique for the coronary band and then squeeze it softly. Using these two techniques will also point out tender spots and damp holding areas.
3. Carefully inspect the sole. Check the colour of every hoof. They should be identical in colouration. A well delineated dark spot indicates bruising or damage.
4. Look at and compare the frogs. The hooves at the front should be the sae size and shape, the same applies to the hooves at the rear. Try and gently push each frog using your hoof pick, in most areas, excluding the desert areas, they should be slightly spongy.
5. If your horse is shod, hold the horseshoe and see if it moves. Check for lost clinches, if the shoe is loose you might opt to remove the shoe before your horse loses it on its own and perhaps removes a chunk of hoof with it.
If you frequently check your horses hooves, you should avoid a lot of issues by noticing the problem before it's too late.
We recomend you work into your daily hoof cleaning a couple of quick steps. Use your hoof pick from heel to toe. If it is tightly packed you may be required to loosen it up a touch before it is taken off. Once the blockage is taken out, examine all the regions of the hoof and make positive that there isn't a smell as this is often a obvious sign of thrush. Make sure there aren't any rocks or gravel lodged anywhere, even underneath the shoe.
All hooves should exhibit a natural gloss on the wall of the hoof.
If you find a smooth uniform surface free of cracks, rings, dishes, flares and a concave sole that touches the shoe, then you should be positive that your horses hooves are in good condition.
Author Resource:
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