Pick out hooves daily, book a farrier every 4 to 8 weeks, keep footing clean and dry, and use a conditioner if hooves are brittle. Consistency matters more than any single product.
Pick out hooves every day
Daily picking removes packed mud, stones and manure that hide thrush and bruising. Work from heel to toe, clean the grooves either side of the frog, and check for heat, smell or a spongy black frog. A sturdy pick with a brush makes the job quick. See the best horse hoof picks.
Keep a regular farrier cycle
Most horses need trimming or shoeing every 4 to 8 weeks. Long gaps let the hoof grow out of balance, which strains tendons and joints. Book the next visit before the farrier leaves so the cycle never slips.
Manage moisture
Hooves suffer at both extremes. Constant wet softens the horn and invites thrush, while very dry ground makes hooves crack. Keep stables clean and dry, rotate muddy gateways, and use a hoof conditioner on brittle or cracked feet. Compare options in our best hoof conditioner guide.
Support the barefoot or booted horse
Barefoot horses can be very sound with good trimming and gradual conditioning, but they may need protection on hard or stony ground. Hoof boots give that protection for riding and turnout without permanent shoes. See the best horse hoof boots.
Feed the hoof from the inside
Healthy horn grows from good nutrition. A balanced diet with adequate protein, and biotin, zinc and copper where the diet is short, supports strong growth over months. Hooves grow slowly, so give any change time to show at the ground.
