Tips for hoof health in the winter
Depending on where you live, you might need to adjust some of your hoof care routine in winter. Because of weather, ground conditions, and even how much you ride.
jump to shopping
Here are some cold weather hoof care tips
- Keep your horse moving! The hoof pumps blood. The frog and the digital cushion of your horse are the mechanisms for getting blood up your horse’s legs and back into his body. Less movement can interfere with this, as evidenced by stocking up. Also, a horse that moves around is more comfortable in his body and mind!
Keep exercising – it’s good for everyone!
- Do keep up with checking digital pulses. The risk of laminitis doesn’t go away in winter, and for some horses, the risk may increase. And it’s just a nice habit to get into. Here’s a VIDEO for step-by-step instructions into checking your horse’s digital pulse.
- Pick your horse’s hooves more than once or twice a day. There’s usually more mud in winter and you want to be able to check digital pulses often. Hard and frozen ground can be cruel to a hoof.
So much mud can trap bacteria, causing thrush and white line disease.
- Check on the coronary band daily. This is where the hoof grows from, and it’s a common place for abscesses and wounds to happen. Most fuzzy winter coats cover this area, so get in there with your eyes and fingers.
- Use hoof hardeners if needed. Most of them contain Venice turpentine as the main ingredient. Hoof hardeners might help the horse that is more sensitive to the harder ground in winter.
I like hoof boots for the barefoot guys in winter. And sometimes in warmer temps, too!
- Add pads for snow or protection from the hard ground. I’m not always a firm believer in barefoot horses over winter. Bruises are common in the winter, and keeping your horse shod might be in his best interest.
- A thin-soled horse (you may need X-rays to confirm this) might even benefit from a leather pad. Thin-soled horses bruise easily and the winter ground is especially hard on them. Alternatives to leather pads include pour-in pads or any number of rubbery inserts that can add a layer of protection to the hoof.
- Use boots for barefoot horses if the ground and footing are questionable. There are many styles that are appropriate for use during turnouts and/or riding.
- Adjust your farrier visits if appropriate. Many horses slow down in their hoof growth in winter, so you might be able to go another few days or week. Some horses get really chipped up, or the wet/dry cycle is worse and your horse needs more frequent attention.
This area will be major MUD in a matter of days. So. Much. Fun. Not. Really.
- Avoid mud as best you can. Moving to a more agreeable climate is certainly worth considering. If your horses like to congregate in certain areas (GATES!) you can add drainage, gravel, mats, old carpet, or lure them away with slow feeders in other parts of turnout. One of the dangers of mud is that when the pocketed hoof prints freeze, they are a tripping and ankle-breaking hazard. For your horse, too!
What changes to your horse’s hoof care routine do you make in winter?
Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you. You can also visit my Amazon storefront here: PEG storefront.
If hooves are your jam, this book is for you.
A simple and trusted hoof supplement.
For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.
The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.
Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.
Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.
Feed your horse's hoof health from the inside out.
This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.
The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.
These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.
This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.
These boots are great for protecting barefoot horses.
Thank you!