Hoof care is important year round, but when we take a break from riding during the cold winter months, we may not be thinking about it quite as much. It’s true that hoof growth does slow during the colder months, dropping from about a quarter-inch growth to about one-eighth inch growth per month. We may not need to provide professional hoof care as often in the winter, but it should not be eliminated altogether.
What About Shoes?
If you usually keep your horses shod, winter is often the best time to pull the shoes and give your horse’s feet a break. Many farriers recommend this, in fact. By removing metal shoes, you’ll also be reducing the risk of your horse slipping and falling on icy ground. If your horse has sensitive feet when barefoot, you can always use hoof boots when the ground is hard and frozen for added protection.
Preventing Snow & Ice Build-Up
Though shoes are notorious for trapping snow and ice, forming dangerous mounds on the soles that can lead to slips or falls, even barefoot hooves can experience this same problem to an extent. To prevent snow and ice build up, clean your horse’s hooves daily when snow is on the ground. Spraying an oil-based solution such as half vegetable oil/ half water or plain cooking spray can also help to prevent this problem.
Another option is using hoof boots during snowy weather, but you will still need to remove them daily and check for moisture or ice that may have worked its way inside the boots. If you do choose to keep shoes on your horse all winter and live in a region that tends to get snow or ice, have your farrier apply snow and ice hoof pads beneath the shoes to prevent build up.
Provide a Dry Area for Your Horse
Because of the often continuous freeze-thaw cycle in winter, there tends to be a lot of moisture and mud, which can lead to problems such as weakened hooves, cracks, and thrush. It’s important to have a dry area where your horse can stay out of the mud for at least a few hours each day. This could be a stall, a run-in shed with raised footing, or even a paddock filled with pea gravel or some other type of appropriate footing. Hooves that stay continuously moist are prone to structural breakdown and problems, so providing a dry area is crucial.
Hoof Nutrition
Last but not least, don’t forget about hoof nutrition in the winter! Even if you aren’t riding, you’ll want to continue to support your horse’s hoof health with proper vitamins and minerals. We recommend our Bentonite Clay which contains more than 70 essential trace minerals. Many people have reported great improvement in their horse’s hoof quality while using this product. Bentonite clay can also be used to safely detoxify heavy metals and chemicals from your horse’s body, as well as for digestive issues such as diarrhea.