Things You'll Need:
- Wire bristled brush
- Course sandpaper
- Fine sandpaper
- Hoof polish
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Step 1
Knock off any surface dirt from the hoof using a stiff wire bristled brush. Be careful to avoid the horse's sensitive skin around the base of the hoof. Use a damp rag to wipe off any remaining dirt, making sure to get in the grooves of the hoof.
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Step 2
Start sanding the hoof using course grade sandpaper first. You can use strips of sandpaper and do it by hand, going back and forth. If that seems too tedious, use a small electric sander to optimize your time.
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Step 3
Check for cracks in the surface of the hoof. This may be a good opportunity to treat them with a product designed to help heal hoof cracks. Some horse fanciers recommend filling the cracks with wood putty to create the smoothest surface possible for a show. If you choose to do this, be sure to allow the putty time to dry completely before the next step.
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Step 4
Sand the hoof with the fine grade sandpaper. It may be a good idea to do this step by hand so that you can pay particular attention to troublesome spots. The fine sandpaper should even out the rest of the rough edges off the horse's hoof. Use a damp rag to wipe the surface clean.
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Step 5
Apply hoof polish to the sanded hoof. What product you choose to use will depend upon how polished you need your horse's hooves to look for the show and the natural color of your horse's hooves.
