How to Clean a Horse Hoof for Riding

Horse hooves are circular in shape with a triangle of flesh inset at the base called a frog. The hoof itself is cartilage, like your fingernail, and needs to be cleaned at least twice a day to remove debris caught between the shoe and the hoof.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Select a horse pick from the tack room. This tool is shaped like an angled L with a metal pointed end and a plastic or rubber handle. Look for one with a brush attached, as this type is much easier to use.
2. Attach your horse to cross ties in the aisle for security. Start at the front left leg and work you way around in a circle. Stand with your left shoulder at the horses left shoulder and the pick in your right hand.
3. Bend down at the waist while running your hand down the front of the horses leg. Feel for any heat or tenderness, which are signs of strain or possible infection. At the bone just before the hoof, apply slight upward pressure while leaning your left shoulder on the horses left shoulder to shift the weight off this foot and apply upward pressure as if you are pulling the hoof up. The horse should respond by lifting the foot.
4. Slide your hand down further to just before the hoof and hold it there. Take the pick in your right hand and remove all the loose dirt and straw. Starting at the top of the hoof, closest to your left hand, move the pick down to clean the hoof by removing any stones or debris.
5. Brush the entire hoof and clean the frog. Avoid touching the frog, which is the triangle shaped flesh at the top of the hoof with your pick. Remove any stones between the hoof and the frog with great care. Be sure to run the pick along the horseshoe to remove any small rocks or straw.
6. Look carefully for any cuts, blood or swelling. Feel the hoof with your hand to check for heat as a sign of possible infection or injury. The hoof should always be cool and dry without any odor.
7. Put the foot down and run the pick over the front of the hoof to remove any mud or dirt. Repeat this process on each of the four legs. This must be done before and after every ride. This is especially important if the horse wears horseshoes, as debris and stones easily get stuck and can cause pain.

Tips & Warnings

• Never place the elbow of your arm near the inside of the horse's leg or wrap your arm around the leg when picking up the foot. Keep your arm along the outside of the leg at all times. If your arm is on the inside and the horse moves suddenly, you will lose your balance, and the force of the movement could break your arm.