Hooves, teeth and grooming

In short

• Pick out the hooves every day with a hoof pick, from heel to toe, and check the frog, the sole and the smell.
• Trimming or shoeing every 6–8 weeks for a horse, 6–10 weeks for a donkey, for life.
• A donkey's hoof can't cope with wet. A dry turnout and a roof are the number one cure.
• Laminitis is an emergency: standing "on its heels", hot hooves, a strong digital pulse. Take the animal off the grass and call the vet.
• Teeth: a check once a year, twice for young and old animals. Rasping is done by a vet or a qualified equine dental technician.
• Before the farrier comes: the horse must calmly pick up all four feet. That takes weeks to teach, not the morning the farrier arrives.

What's inside

Chapters

1. The hoof: what's what
2. Daily hoof care
3. Trimming and shoeing
4. Donkey feet
5. Hoof diseases and laminitis
6. Hooves through the year
7. Teeth
8. Grooming and coat care
9. Teaching a horse to pick up its feet
10. Care after work
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Farrier and hoof log
• Weekly hoof and leg check
• Teeth and care log
• Care costs and kit
• Care calendar