The Importance Of Winter Hoof Care

As November hits down the temperatures can begin to drop significantly. Winter can be a challenging time not only for us but for our four-legged friends.

Horses in particular can find it difficult if they are not taken care of when the weather changes. Winter hoof care should not be overlooked. It is the responsibility of anyone with a horse in their keeping.

Throughout spring, summer, and autumn your horse’s hooves will get a little more action. Compared to when winter arrives and because of this, the hoof grows at a slower rate. Not all horses but a lot of them spend their time stabled in stalls, when the temperature drops. This can often result in less time grazing outdoors and more time inside on their feet. Eating and not moving enough. Over time the body’s reaction to this can create poor circulation. Which can cause a variety of problems for you and your horse. 

One effect poor circulation can have on your horse’s hooves is a reduction in the growth of the hoof horn. This can have a negative impact on your horse, especially if your horse is in poor health. 

How to encourage your horse’s blood circulation. 

Prevention is often the best cure. There are a few simple steps to follow which could help poor circulation in a horse. 

• Exercise, the amount of exercise horses do in the winter is reduced considerably. They burn off their energy when trying to keep themselves warm. Whether that is in the stables or out on the field. However, taking the time out to help your horse exercise is important, especially throughout the colder months. Due to temperatures being a lot lower than they have been used to. This will mean warming up can take a little longer. Being patient and making sure they are one hundred percent ready and warmed up. Only then should you proceed to do any exercise with your horse. Low-intensity exercises such as walks are probably best suited for this time of the year.

• Massaging your horse is a great way to get the blood flowing and increase your horse’s circulation. Not only will it help with their blood flow but it’s a great opportunity for bonding. During the winter, horses become less active which can result in them becoming bored easily. Spending some quality time with them will be a welcome distraction in the day. 

• Grooming, similar to massage, is a great opportunity to spend time with your horse whilst encouraging blood flow. This will also give you the chance to give your horse a thorough all-over body check. In case there are any underlying health concerns they may have missed. Try to include grooming into your horse’s routine, this could prevent many issues that horses may face in the winter. 

• Relax, having a relaxed horse will allow its circulatory system to run as it should. This will encourage a healthy blood flow which will result in a happy and hopefully healthy horse.

Often horses have cracks and other imperfections. Throughout the summer and spring these defects will grow out at a faster rate. However, during the winter months, it can take a lot longer. This is due to the slower rate at which your horses’ hooves will grow. 

Winter Hoof Care – How to prevent cracked hooves?

To prevent this from happening ensure horses are fed a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Carr Day & Martin’s Cornucrescine Original Hoof Ointment is great for encouraging healthy hoof growth. Helping to reconstruct damaged hooves, and improving the condition. This should be used often to avoid more damage to the horse’s hooves. Follow the treatment by using Carr Day & Martin Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Moisturiser. However, this product should be used in dry conditions. Ensuring the area they are residing in is dry and free from rainfall, urine, or spilled water. Before application, the hooves will need to be dry and free from any moisture. 

For hooves that may be soft and brittle, NAF has created an excellent Farrier Solution designed to protect weaker hooves. Made from natural ingredients making it is safe to use on the most delicate of hooves.

This solution should have horse hooves back to normal in no time. NAF Farrier Dressing is great for everyday use and can be used all year round. This hoof barrier will not only protect horse hooves but encourage growth for hooves that need some help. 

Winter Hoof Care – Mud Fever 

Mud fever is a non-contagious skin condition that becomes increasingly common in horses throughout the winter months. This is due to bacteria living in wet, muddy, and damp conditions. 

Horses may have Mud Fever for some time, the bacteria can be inactive for a substantial period. However,  if the conditions that your horse lives and exercises in remain the same; damp, muddy, and wet. Then the infection may become active due to being exposed to such conditions for a long period of time. 

Riding a horse during winter can also encourage bacterial growth which can develop into mud fever. If your horse becomes wet from rainfall when riding or builds up a sweat. Then they need to be cleaned and dried. If they are left in any way damp or wet. Especially if they have been in contact with any mud this will cause mud fever. 

Their legs should be bone dry. Use a barrier cream like NAF Mud Gard Barrier Cream, this will help protect them from wet and muddy conditions. Keeping mud fever at bay.

Keep stables dry and warm, closing doors if it begins to rain, however, ventilation is important. Make sure stables are being well ventilated and open windows for a period at a time. Check for water spillages or leaks, especially if there are buckets near their resting area. 

Rubber matting is a great way to protect their hooves from the solid stone cold ground. But will need to be removed when cleaning. Remove as much as you can from the stables. This will ensure there is no urine or other bodily deposits from your horse that could lead to infection. Their hooves are delicate, if standing in water or urine this can eventually impact the hoof. Beginning to break it down causing cracks or infection. If you have access to a pressure washer, this is a great way to kill bacteria when used with a disinfectant. Make sure your stables have excellent drainage before soaking the area and that the space is fully dry before allowing your horse entry. 

There are a variety of different items available to help protect and help horses from mud fever. 

Depending on how severe the mud fever is there are anti-inflammatories and pain relief. Which will be suggested by your local vet. 

Barrier Cream, as mentioned previously NAF has created a great cream designed to protect your horse. Carr & Day & Martin also have designed a Protection Plus Anti-Bacterial Barrier. This is perfect for waterproofing around the horse hoof area where irritations can occur. 

A mild and gentle shampoo can be used to remove mud before any infection unfolds. 

Microfibre Cleaning Gloves or towels are a great tool for absorbing any moisture and drying your horse in no time. These are perfect for wet and muddy horses. 

Mud fever boots can be another great accessory to protect your horse’s legs and hooves from infection. It is important to check that your horse’s legs and hoof area are bone dry before covering them with a boot. This will prevent bacteria growth. 

If at all unsure then contact your local vet for advice. Being prepared is the best way to avoid horses becoming infected. 

How do I know my horse has mud fever? 

Mud fever affects the lower part of a horse’s body, in particular, the legs and around the hoof area. Look out for unpigmented skin with areas of hair loss and scabbed-over skin. Matted hair is also another tell-tale sign of mud fever. 

In cases where your horse may have had mud fever for some time you may notice patches of weeping skin. If untreated it can develop into cellulitis which if not treated when discovered can lead to serious complications. In some cases life-threatening conditions. 

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your winter hoof care. Then please do get in touch with us either via our social channels or pop into one of our stores and have a chat with a member of our team. Our equine staff are full of knowledge and should be able to answer any of your questions on winter hoof care.