by Helium01

Created on: April 12, 2009   Last Updated: November 07, 2009

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is an old adage that horse owners need to be very aware of. Selecting and providing high quality hay and feed, keeping routine veterinary appointments, and keeping your horse on a schedule for routine hoof care are some vital steps. Unfortunately, there are many owners who skip routine hoof care, and wind up with horses that have hoof pathologies that could have easily been prevented.

About Hoof Care Practitioners

A properly-trained and highly-skilled hoof care practitioner can keep your horse sound and healthier for a very long time. While there are many people out there who skimp on their initial education and continuing education in the art of hoof care, there are those who strive to learn as much as possible, in order to provide the highest level of service to the horses and their owners.

In the past, and sometimes even in present day, hoof care practitioners have been looked down upon by some areas of the equine world. Hoof care is a difficult job that demands strength, intelligence, and more than your average dose of "horse sense". Hoof care practitioners are routinely asked to deal with rank or extremely badly behaved horses, in oftentimes less than desirable conditions.

Find a Hoof Care Practitioner

When you are searching for the right hoof care practitioner for your situation, take the time to talk with them first. Ask for references, and follow up on them. Ask who they studied with, and for how long. Take some time to do research online, and learn what healthy, properly cared-for hooves look like. Compare the knowledge you gain to your horses, and the service practitioner's work.

Preparations for Hoof Care

-Provide a clear, safe area to work in, that has a minimum of distractions.

-Have your horse clean, and ready to work on upon their arrival.

-Teach your horse to lift and hold their legs politely.

-Discuss any lameness issues before the hoof care practitioner arrives, so that he or she is ready to treat what problems may arise.

-Keep children, dogs, and other horses away from a horse that is being worked on.

-Put cell phones on vibrate, and let callers leave a voice mail.

-A fan in hotter climates in the summertime will do two things: it will keep your horse and the hoof care practitioner cooler, and it will also push away the hordes of flies that tend to bother horses.

-Most importantly, pay when the job is completed. Hoof care practitioners work for money, not for fun, and payment is due when the job is complete.

By taking the time to find a qualified hoof care practitioner and preparing for his visit, you will find the process of horse hoof care goes smoothly. Above all, remember that a properly cared-for hoof means a happy horse!

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