Hoof Care

Two questions covered in this month’s Practical Horseman Extra: Whether to sit or post the trot in a lower-level eventing dressage test and whether to put shoes on your horse or let him go barefoot.

Q: Hey Max, what’s one of your “all day, every day” horsemanship core practices?...Horsemanship starts with a solid foundation in care and training. Proper care of a horse’s hooves is especially critical since horses are built from the ground up. The hooves are irreplaceable, and farriers can only work so much magic.

Here are a few ways to combat these common equine health issues this summer.

Correct trimming and shoeing are essential parts of horse care. Understanding their core principles will help you identify a job well done.

Dr. Stephen O'Grady, an equine vet and farrier, shares how to prevent and treat your horse's thrush.

Learn about the different types of protective horse boots and what to look for when buying.

The latest in how and why the destructive disease laminitis develops and immediate and long-term treatment options

Show jumping trainer John Madden answers your questions from his conformation evaluation webinar.

If winter weather or your competition schedule has you riding less, right now may be the perfect time to strengthen your horse's feet by pulling his shoes for a few months.

On a healthy foot, heel and toe grow from the coronary band to the ground at the same angle; when the angle of the heel is less than that of the toe (making it look flattened out), the heels are considered "underrun."

Do you know what all those lines, divots and discolorations in the soles of your horse's feet mean? Learn how to "read" his hooves.

Event rider and trainer Wash Bishop explains the when, what and how of studs--and why they're not just for his sport. By Wash Bishop and the editors of Practical Horseman magazine.

Farrier Dave Werkiser shows you how to pick up and clean out feet safely. From the editors of Practical Horseman magazine.

Farrier Chris Volk shows you 10 hoof care tips to help keep your horse's hooves healthy and strong.