Caring for Your Horses Hooves
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

You would think that this most important part of the equine anatomy would be the subject of huge amounts of research and investigation. Until very recently however, this was not true. The result is that many of our commonly accepted precepts are at best untested and, as good scientific information is uncovered, some have been shown to be untrue. Good hoof care, though the subject of speculation since the time man first hitched a horse to a load, is still poorly understood. Now don't take this the wrong way: experience has led us to a workable methodology that results in the majority of horses being able to perform their intended work with few hoof problems. It is also true that there are still many chronic hoof problems that defy attempts at correction and sometimes explanation. Some of the known and conjectured problems with poor quality horn:

• genetics
• nutrition
• past trimming and shoeing experiences
• environment
• injury

This article provides an overview of the anatomy and principles of hoof care and trimming for horses and other equines. Links are provided to more detailed articles on various subjects pertaining to the care and diseases of horse hooves. Summaries of scientific reports are at the end of this article.

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