Hoof Problems in Horses
Hoof problems in horses are more than just an unwanted expense and nuisance- they lead to a greatly reduced quality of life for the animal, and sometimes, they even lead to death. Horses that cannot stand or walk correctly will quickly deteriorate. This is especially distressing considering that many hoof conditions are entirely preventable with only minimal effort. In fact, with the exception of congenital issues such as Navicular Syndrome, nearly all hoof problems are not only preventable, but easily treated when discovered early by an observant and responsible owner. However, the job is not only yours to be shouldered; you should work as a team with your veterinarian and farrier. You don’t need to be an equine expert in order to prevent or reduce hoof problems in your horse; you simply need to know what signs indicate there might be an issue, and who to call in the event that the problem is something you cannot handle on your own.
Your farrier should be a vital part of your horse’s healthcare regimen. Almost all hoof problems in horses can in some way be attributed to improper shoeing or trimming. Therefore, it is imperative that your farrier be a competent and fully qualified one. If you need assistance determining a farrier’s skill level, please contact your veterinarian, or read the article on this site entitled “Choosing a Competent Farrier.” Because a horse’s hooves grow constantly throughout its life, you will need a good farrier as long as you own a horse. This means you need a farrier that is easy to communicate with, can reach you in an emergency, and has no trouble answering your questions. He should even be willing to show you how to perform certain functions like removing a sprung shoe, and clipping a risen clinche or nail.
It should be noted that preventive measures such as current tetanus shots and proper nutrition are often overlooked. Proper nutrition may include the addition of biotin to your animal’s feed, which will serve to strengthen the hoof. Additionally, proper exercise is a crucial component to ensuring the health of your equine’s hooves. This means that not only should your horse receive adequate exercise, but the exercise should be conducted on appropriate surfaces, in appropriate conditions, climates and environments. Remember that on the underside of that hard hoof surface, there are very soft and sensitive areas that can be prone to infection or injury. Therefore, your second best defense against hoof problems in horses is observation.
Knowing how your horse moves, feels, looks, and smells will go far in discovering any potential problem before it gets out of hand. Spend the time with your horse to know what is normal for it. This means you should be handling the hooves daily, picking them out, checking their temperature, smelling for foul odors, and looking for even then most subtle sign that your horse is not walking or standing as it normally should. If you have this level of interaction with your animal, you will notice almost immediately if there is cause for concern.
 | "Understanding Your Horses Lameness" by Diane Morgan holds the "The four House Green Pet Community Seal of approval" ...should not only be owned by every equestrian, but also kept handy for easy reference." --Horse Illustrated Magazine
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Even the most observant and diligent of owners will sometimes nevertheless experience problems with their horse. So when one recognizes the slightest difference in their horse’s behavior or normal state, an educated horseman will have a strong knowledge of the most common horse hoof conditions, their symptoms, and treatment methods as detailed below:
Abscesses- Abscesses are infections in the soft, malleable portion of the hoof. This is typically as the result of an injury, such as a puncture to the sole of the foot. Any type of injury to any part of the hoof may allow bacteria to penetrate the injured area, leading to infection in the inside of the hoof that will fill with pus and seek the path of least resistance out of the hoof.
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