Hoof Care

There's an old saying, "no foot, no horse," that sums up the importance of hoof care. Neglected hooves become overgrown, diseased, cracked and prone to many other problems that result in lameness. Abscesses and infections can be fatal. Basic hoof care is a simple task that should be performed with daily grooming or, at the very least,... more »

For those new to the horse world, it can seem like a bewildering jungle of exotic terms such as cantle, surcingle and ergot. None of these are more confusing--or more important--than those that refer to the body parts of the horse. more »

Since their domestication, horses have played an integral part of the development of humans. From agriculture to warfare, humankind has depended on the horse for a lot, including the proper care that is part of an unspoken agreement between man and horse.
Part of that care is the job of the farrier. Although their jobs have changed... more »

If you love to be around horses and are looking for a career working with them, you can become a farrier. Farriers, or hoof care specialists, are in heavy demand as every horse needs its hooves trimmed between 6 and 8 weeks. Learn how to become a farrier with the following steps. more »

Thrush is an anaerobic bacteria that lives in soil and infects horses’ hooves. A thrush infection is characterized by a black, moist discharge in the clefts, sole and frog of the hoof. When left to fester, thrush will give off a foul odor. What is worse, it will eat away at the hoof, causing abnormal growth, causing lameness.... more »