Cleaning out your horse’s hooves is an essential part of horse care, and you need to do it frequently. As we can see in the video, this young horseman knows his job and most probably knows how important is to keep your horse’s hooves clean. He is doing everything that needs to be done in this case: he’s picking out the horse’s hoof and he uses the hoof pick to clear out the dirt.
Trimming your horse’s feet is very important and it should be done at least every 6 to 8 weeks in the summer. Also, show horses may need more frequent trimming. But as for winter, because the horse’s hooves grow slower at that time of the year, you should trim or shoe the hooves every 6 to 12 weeks. This time interval may be different between horses based on their hoof growth.
Moreover, keeping your horse’s hooves balanced is also necessary. Horses with balance hooves move better and have less stress and strain on bones, tendons, and ligaments.
Nutrition can also help some hoof problems:
Feed good-quality hay.
Correctly supplement vitamins and trace minerals.
Provide constant access to fresh, clean water.
Correct poor nutrition can lead to gradually improve hoof health.
Cooperate with veterinarians and horse nutritionists to set up a good nutrition plan.
It’s very good to teach your little future horseman at least the basics. And even if he will not choose to keep horses in the future, some information does not harm him. When you see a good horseman, you’re unable to tell where the instruction is coming from. It’s like telepathy.
Hoof cleaning should be a part of your daily routine, and along with a clean environment, a healthy diet, and the regular attention of a farrier contributes greatly to hoof health.
“The horse. Here is nobility without conceit, friendship without envy, beauty without vanity. A willing servant, yet never a slave.”