As I picked my horses’ hooves, my grandson asked me why they didn’t have toes. He had been reading articles about animals and wondered if horses didn’t have them because they don’t move around the same way as other creatures do. Coincidentally I’ve often wondered the same. Horses don’t have toes because they have little …
When my grandson visits, he helps groom our horses. He recently asked me to teach him how to care for his horse’s hooves, so I did, and I also decided to put some information together for other new horse owners. We groom our horses every day, including caring for their hooves. Thorough daily grooming helps …
One of my horses pulled a shoe shortly before his race at Fair Grounds. The trackside farrier had to replace the shoe — avoidable with tighter scheduling. That’s the version of “how often to reshoe horses” that racing owners actually live with. For most horses, reshoeing every 4–8 weeks is the standard. For racehorses, the …
Quick Start: 2-Minute Clean Check: Run hand down leg for heat or swelling. Position: Stand at shoulder or hip; never directly behind. Pick: Heel-to-toe with firm, short strokes. Frog: Clean the deep side grooves thoroughly. Inspect: Look for stones, cracks, or foul smells. Reset: Guide the foot down gently; do not drop. Repeat: Aim for …