Are you aware of the saying "no foot – no horse"?
The majority of lameness problems have an origin in the feet; anything that has
a harmful effect on the feet is painful for the horse and reduces its ability
to work. You need to check all four feet daily; this includes picking them out,
looking for injuries, and checking that the shoes are not loose. The feet must
be checked regularly by a farrier and trimmed if necessary. If a shoe comes
off, arrange for a farrier to visit as soon as possible. Never work a horse
with only three shoes; it is better to remove the shoe on the other side to
keep the pair of feet level.
In order to check the feet, you will first need to learn the
proper way to lift the foot. First, it is best to tie up the horse or else it
may try to walk away while you are attempting to lift its foot. When lifting a
front foot, stand close to the horse’s shoulder, facing the tail. Place the
hand nearest the horse on the animal’s shoulder, and move it down toward the
leg. This motion lets the horse know that you are about to pick up its leg, so
it won’t be startled by an otherwise sudden movement. Reach around the back of
the horse’s leg, and then run your hand down the inside. Keep a light, but firm
pressure on the leg. Press backward and upward on the back of the pastern to
encourage the horse to lift its foot. If it does not, grip the pastern and pull
the foot up and back. When the foot is lifted, support the leg by putting your
hand around the hoof wall, with your palm against the inside wall. If you need
to examine the foot or use a hoof pick, tilt the sole up.
The process with the hind legs is similar. Stand close to
the horse’s flank, where it is hard for the horse to kick you. Run your nearest
hand down its hindquarters. Bring your hand around to the front of the leg just
below the stifle. Then run it down the inside of the lower leg, keeping a
consistent pressure. Take hold of the fetlock. Squeeze it gently, and pull the
joint upward and forward. This should encourage the horse to lift its foot off
the ground. Raise the foot so that it is clear of the ground, but don’t lift it
too high because you will throw off the horse’s balance, making it
uncomfortable. Hold the foot steady by putting your other hand around the toe
while you release your grip on the fetlock. Support the leg by taking hold of
the toe from the inside with your original hand. Let the foot rest in your
palm. You cannot tilt the hind foot as much as a front foot.
You should also be aware of the proper way to use a hoof
pick. Pick out the feet at least twice a day, and check the foot at the same
time for any disorders. Choose a hoof pick that is not too sharp. Clean the
grooves beside the frog first, then the sole of the foot. Always work toward
the toe to avoid damaging the frog or the horse’s leg if the pick were to slip.
Remove all of the mud and debris, as well as any flaking horn.