It can be easy to overlook hoof care in the winter, as many riders exercise their horses less and focus on their weight during the colder months. But it’s still crucial to keep your horse’s feet in mind. Remember the old adage: no foot, no horse.
Check out our top tips for caring for his feet during the winter.
Pick out his hooves daily
No matter where he is or what he’s doing, keep on top of picking out your horse’s hooves. Mud or manure can trap moisture in the foot, and lead to problems like thrush, while small rocks and pebbles can get lodged and cause bruising or lameness.
Give him a dry, flat space to stand
Wet conditions increase the risk of thrush and pastern dermatitis, whereas sudden cold snaps can lead to poached ground becoming frozen with dangerous ruts which could lead to bruising.
If there isn’t dry flat ground in his field, consider bringing him in for a few hours to allow his feet to dry off and give him a break from uneven ground.
Keep your regular farrier appointments
Whether your horse is ridden or not, it is important for him to be seen every 6 – 8 weeks by a qualified farrier, even if he doesn’t have shoes.
While hooves may grow slower during the winter months, they can be worn down unequally, resulting in an imbalanced foot. If left without correction, your horse could develop flares that put an uneven strain on the hoof wall, eventually resulting in cracks or pulled shoes. Prevention is better than a cure, so try to keep on top of his farrier appointments.
To shoe or not to shoe?
It’s worth discussing with your farrier on the best course of action, considering your horse’s workload, how much turnout he will get, and the local weather.
If you live somewhere that is likely to snow, this can be a tricky decision. Leaving your horse barefoot provides more traction than regular shoes, but only if he has regular trims. Rough surfaces may wear the foot down faster, but the hoof won’t ball up with snow.
In comparison, you could shoe and use screw-in nails or ice nails to provide him with more stability in the snow. Be cautious that these can inhibit the natural flight pattern and increase concussion in the hoof and limb if too much traction is provided.
Alternatively, you could use snow pads, where an air bubble pops snow out the hoof, or rim pads, which keep snow out whilst leaving the frog exposed. The latter are usually preferred for wetter environments.
Supplements and treatments
If your horse has poor quality hoof then it could be worth feeding a nutritional supplement to help improve his feet. Speak to us about what will help him the best. Hoof growth is slow, so it can take up to six months to see the results of feeding supplements, so don’t lose hope when you don’t see immediate results.
If you experience dry winters, then your horse’s hooves may struggle to retain moisture. Speak to us about a moisturiser or oil to support him in this way.
If you do choose to feed a supplement or use an oil, remember that these are not replacements for regular trims, shoeing appointments, or veterinary visits.
When in doubt, always discuss your concerns with us, so you can ensure both you and your horse are prepared for the winter ahead.