Maintaining the condition of the hoof is vital for the performance and functioning of your horse particularly when the ground conditions are hard. It's important to keep in mind the impact of concussive forces when hydrating a horse's hoof. Even simply landing after a jump can result in a force that's more than twice the weight of the individual on the load-bearing landing limbs.
During the winter months, hooves can suffer from the muddy and persistently wet conditions. Although hoof growth tends to slow down during the winter months, the hooves of unshod horses do not tend to break down as well as they do in the dry conditions.
In advance of housing cattle this winter pay close attention your cows’ mobility. Over the summer cow tracks can wear claws unevenly, small stones and pebbles can become embedded into the sole and as grass values decline in late summer body condition can follow. This in turn can lead to fat loss in the digital cushion which can increase the likelihood of developing a solar ulcer.
