How to Trim Your Horse’s Hooves

Regular hoof care is vital for your horse’s health. If you’re comfortable, you can learn to trim your horse’s hooves yourself.

Materials Needed:

• Hoof knife
• Hoof rasp
• Nippers
• Hoof pick
• Clean, flat surface

Steps:

1. Gather Your Horse: Secure your horse in a safe, calm area and use a halter and lead rope.
2. Pick the Hooves: Use a hoof pick to clean out the hooves, removing dirt, stones, and debris.
3. Examine the Hoof: Check for cracks, thrush, or any signs of infection before starting the trim.
4. Trim the Hoof Wall: Using nippers, carefully trim the excess hoof wall, taking care not to cut into the sensitive areas. Follow the natural shape of the hoof.
5. Rasp the Edges: Smooth the edges of the hoof wall using a rasp, creating a level and neat finish. This helps prevent chipping.
6. Check the Frog: Ensure the frog (the triangular structure on the hoof’s underside) is healthy and free of debris.
7. Repeat on All Hooves: Complete the process for all four hooves, checking for uniformity and balance.