Fundamentals of Proper Hoof Care

the animal is stabled after a ride has been completed.
While this may not always be possible good horse hoof care dictates that all horses have their hooves inspected and cleaned at least twice a week.
For proper hoof care you need to make sure that the paddock area is well drained and the stable floor is clean and dry. Damp flooring and standing in wet muck for long periods of time are factors that are only going to damage your horses feet. When the hooves of a horse are constantly being subjected to a damp environment then cracks and chips of the hooves will be the result.
If you need to prevent further cracking and splitting of your horses hooves it may be necessary to apply a dressing. This should not be done very frequently but a proper hoof dressing to the frog coronet heel and hoof wall will be able to trigger the growth of healthy new tissue. However no one should expect a hoof dressing to be the first line of defense when it comes to good hoof care.
Always schedule your horse for routine checkups with a local farrier. This is one of the best ways to make sure that your horse will have healthy feet and hooves.
Trimming of the hooves should be done regularly. Five to eight weeks is the normal amount of time that a horse can go without needing his hooves trimmed. Wild mustangs are able to keep their hooves trimmed naturally by running across rough surfaces and living in harsh environments but our domesticated animals are dependent on us to provide them with proper care for their hooves.
Not all horses require shoes but you should ask a farrier for his opinion before you select whether or not to have the animal shod. Horseshoes can protect the