Have you noticed that your horse’s hooves might be requiring more care? What are some hoof care problems and how can you prevent them from happening? Hoof care is a crucial component of making sure that your horse is in the best shape possible. If you want to learn more about how to care for your horse’s hooves and how to prevent hoof problems, here are some helpful tips you can incorporate for your horse. Keep reading to learn more!
Thrush
One of the most common problems horses experience is thrush, which horse owners will likely notice after smelling a foul odour. Not only does thrush smell bad but it has a distinguished appearance. It is typically a black liquid that occurs right around the horse's frog.
The best way to prevent thrush from happening is by taking preventive measures. The top thing to do is to ensure the horse's environment is clean. Always make sure that your horse's barn or stall is as dry and clean as possible.
Cracking
There are several types of cracks that a horse may experience. This includes horizontal cracks, sand cracks and grass cracks. If the crack is severe and has penetrated the horse's coronary band, then the owner will want to get them to the farrier who will take care of the problem.
The good news is that you can prevent cracking by ensuring that your horses are receiving adequate nutrition. Not only that, but your horses should have their hoofs trimmed on a regular basis. As a general rule of thumb, their hooves should be trimmed every 4-6 weeks.
Bruising
Another common issue horses have with their hoofs is bruising. Unfortunately, if a horse has bruised their hoofs, then it will take a few weeks to see if the bruising improves. If the bruising doesn’t improve or looks infected, you’ll need to bring your horse to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent bruising is to not bring your horse on rocky terrain. If this can't be avoided, make sure your horse walks very carefully on the terrain. If your horse rushes or walks excessively fast on rocky terrain, then bruising will likely occur.
Good Nutrition Is Important
A lot of problems with a horse's hoofs can be prevented or the risk can be lessened by ensuring they receive the necessary vitamins and minerals in their diet. One of the best things you can do is to feed your horse high-quality hay. When it comes to hay, it's always better to spend money on quality hay than it is to buy cheap hay that doesn't contain enough nutrients.
Let's not forget to mention that you should provide your horse with plenty of water. Always make sure the water is clean and fresh. If your horse isn't drinking enough fresh, clean water, then over time they will become more susceptible to hoof problems.
Make sure to improve your horse's nutrition over time. If your horse already follows a good diet, then there's nothing more to do except bring them to the vet for regular checkups. However, if you don’t have your horse on a good diet, now is the time to start making changes.
Final Thoughts: Buy Quality Supplements
When it comes to horse hoof care, the best thing to do is to take preventive measures to reduce the chances of your horse developing thrush, cracking, bruising, and other conditions. Don't forget to always provide your horse with good nutrition to prevent hoof problems from occurring. Part of this may be giving your horse high-quality supplements.
With that said, visit Equine America NZ today to see what supplements and products are in stock, and order the ones that will help maintain good overall health for a horse.
Now that you know more about the potential hoof problems that horses can get, the next step involves making sure your horse is protected from these problems ever happening. Here at Equine America NZ, we are a reputable brand that sells a comprehensive range of high-quality horse supplements to help you do just that.
Please give us a call at Equine America NZ today at 0800 440 888 to learn more or leave an enquiry.
