Pet grooming guide

Horse hoof care is one of the most vital pet grooming routines in horse care as if the hooves are damaged or unhealthy then you won’t be able to ride your horse. It doesn’t take long to pick out the hooves and should be done at least once a day and preferably before and after riding out. Don’t forget that even if you don’t ride your horse its hooves will still need cleaning out.

The most important tool for this job is a hoof pick which is a hooked instrument which can be used to remove stones, mud and manure that has become imbedded in the hoof. Most horses have been trained to raise their hooves for cleaning if you stand beside them and run your hand down their legs. Ensure that you clean the area around the frog thoroughly as this is where infection is most likely to begin.

Apart from the discomfort and bruising that can occur if a stone becomes lodged in their hoof, the biggest risk from infrequent picking out is that of horse thrush. If left untreated for long enough the thrush will make the horse lame. The bacteria that cause thrush thrive in the warm, moist environment produced by a hoof filled with mud or manure. You will recognise a case of thrush by the nasty smell produced. If the case is only mild then you will be able to use a shop bought lotion to help get rid of it but more severe cases will require a visit by the vet.

When the picking out has been finished then you need to move on to the next pet grooming exercise. This is the dressing of the hooves with a special oil to help increase the amount of moisture in the hoof. By doing this you will help prevent common problems such as cracked hooves, sore feet and loss of shoes.

Every 6-8 weeks you will need to have the horse shod as leaving them on for a long time can cause damage to the hoof and lameness. While the farrier is shoeing the horse ask him to trim the ever growing hooves. This keeps them in good shape and stops the horse from becoming unbalanced, which can lead to lameness. Make sure that you always get an experienced person to perform this procedure and don’t risk damaging your horse by attempting this yourself.

One final pet grooming exercise that people who are showing their horse may carry out is to add a black or clear polish to make a nice, shiny finishing touch.

All these horse accessories can be bought at a local pet store.