How Many Weeks Apart Should Your Horses Feet Be Trimmed?

Unshod horses need regular trimming. Soft surfaces such as pasture and stable bedding do not wear the hoof down at all therefore the hooves need to be trimmed about every three to four weeks (six weeks maximum).

How often should I trim my horses hooves?

every 4-6 weeks
It is best to trim your horse’s hooves every 4-6 weeks in Spring or Summer and every 6-10 weeks in Autumn or Winter – regular trimming is great for your horse’s overall health.

How long can a horse go between trims?

6-8 weeks
We are traditionally used to trimming horses every 6-8 weeks. This has been, and largely still is, considered an adequate and pro-active way of caring for hooves.

Can you trim a horse’s hoof too much?

Horse hooves, similar to human fingernails, need to be trimmed regularly as excessive growth weakens durability and causes them to split, crack, chip or break off. Plus, excessive trimming can be painful and lead to significant complications in everyday activities.

How often should the farrier come?

every 4 to 6 weeks
The average horse needs to see a farrier every 4 to 6 weeks, but not every horse is the same. Some horses may need to see a farrier more, or less, often than the average horse. Determining how frequent your farrier visits will depend on the growth rate and current health of your horse’s hooves.

What happens if you don’t trim horses hoofs?

As caretakers of horses, it is important to know the basics skills to evaluate the health of your horse’s hooves. What many people may not realize is that improperly trimmed hooves can not only be unappealing but could potentially cause extreme pain and even lameness if left uncared for.

How often should a horse with laminitis be trimmed?

The laminitic foot changes dramatically on a daily basis. It is not unusual to trim laminitic horses every week or every two weeks during the acute phase. Once a horse becomes more stable, a trimming cycle of every 4 weeks is optimal.

Why do horses get sore after a trim?

Often horses are sore after a trim due to inappropriate trimming for that horses particular situation. The hard part about trimming successfully in all situations, is the huge amount of variation that exists between breeds, environments, riding disciplines and most importantly, pathological hoof conditions.

Is first or second cutting better for horses?

Timothy Hay
Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.

Why is my horse lame after a trim?

Perhaps too much material was removed in one trim and your horse needs a few days to adjust. A supporting structure that they needed (sole, wall, bar, toe callous, etc) may have been trimmed too much. Or perhaps the trim itself was appropriate for the foot, but that limb is adjusting to the change.

Why is my horse lame after farrier?

The shoe could be applying excessive pressure to the sole, or the angle changes that were made are more than the horse could handle. If the horse was trimmed, the problem could be excessive sole removed and sole bruising, or angle changes.

How do wild horses keep their hooves trimmed?

Wild horses generally cover several kilometers a day across various surfaces. Doing so keeps their hooves trim as the different terrain provides different degrees of abrasion to wear down their hooves naturally. The constant movement of the horse allows it to wear down the hoof at a rate similar to its growth.

Can a farrier make a horse lame?

Yes, a horse can become lame in the upper body from improper shoeing. Of course a more common problem I often see is sole pressure.

How long can a horse go without a farrier?

Every horse is different, but most horses will need a visit from a farrier every 4 to 6 weeks. This length of time is determined by the way the hoof grows and the wear on their shoes.

How much does a farrier cost per month?

For a farrier to trim your horse’s hooves, you can expect to pay $30-$50. For a farrier to put shoes on all four of your horse’s hooves, expect to pay $65-$150.

How do wild horses survive without trimming?

Wild horses maintain their own hooves by moving many kilometres a day across a variety of surfaces. This keeps their hooves in good condition as the movement across abrasive surfaces wears (‘trims’) the hooves on a continual basis.

Do horses like when their hooves are trimmed?

But most of them do like having their hooves picked and don’t mind shoeing at all – so long as an expert does it! Nevertheless, most horses are relatively “neutral” when it comes time for them to be shod. They might not like the process, but they don’t hate it either.

What months are worse for laminitis?

Spring is traditionally known as a peak time for laminitis, but the latest research shows that the second biggest killer of horses and ponies is an all-year-round threat.

Is long grass better for laminitis?

Most horses do not need the high nutritional value and benefit from the many fibers and the low nutritional value of long grass. Because older grass also contains less sugar, this is also safer for horses that shed in the summer or are sensitive to laminitis.

Can hoof trimming cause laminitis?

Lameness which prevents weight bearing in one leg leading to laminitis in another supporting limb. Trauma resulting from excess work in unshod horses on hard ground, or from over-enthusiastic hoof trimming.

How do you keep a horse calm when clipping?

If you place your hand between the clippers and the horse they will be able to feel the vibrations but will minimal hum. If the horse is comfortable with the vibrations through your hand, start by moving the clippers along his body in the direction of the coat, without cutting. Repeat until he is comfortable with this.