Released March 17, 2011
STOCKTON, Mo. — Hoof care is critical to the general overall health of horses during the winter according to Dona Goede, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Excessive moisture causes the outer covering of a horses' foot to deteriorate, which causes cracking and splitting. Mud and sand can work their way into the cracks, causing the hoof to spread even further.
"Every effort should be made to keep the hoof wall intact. This can be done by keeping the hoof as dry as possible and applying hoof dressing regularly," said Goede.
Hoof dressing is basically an oil or grease that keeps water from soaking into the foot. During wet weather, this is a difficult task but it is important to maintain the hoof quality and integrity.
"If you will not be riding during the winter months, have your horse's shoes pulled in the fall. Shoes are slippery on frozen surfaces, and also sometimes cause snow to ball up in the hoof, so most horses are better off without them for the winter," said Goede.
Or, ask your farrier to advise you about special shoeing for traction.
All horses also need their hooves trimmed about every eight weeks.
"During the muddy season, thrush (a smelly infection of the hoof) may be a problem, so keep checking your horse's hooves on a regular basis," said Goede.
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University of Missouri, http://agebb.missouri.edu/news/swnews/queries/showall.idc?story_num=5632
Source: Dona Goede, (417) 276-3313
Writer: David Burton, 417-881-8909, burtond@missouri.edu
