How often should a horse's hoof be clipped?

Answer 1

Horses don't really 'need' to be clipped. If you won't be riding or showing in the winter it is best for the horse to allow them to grow out a winter coat. If however you do show or ride during the winter you would want to clip the horse in the fall when the coat begins to come in thicker than in the summer. Once you begin to clip you must keep the horse blanketed to prevent chills. If the horse lives out at pasture even during the winter you may want to try a partial clip instead of a full body clip. To tidy up the whiskers on their muzzles, and long hairs on the chin and pasterns you can clip these down about once a week to every two weeks depending on how fast they grow back in.

Answer 2

If your horse gets so furry that it is uncomfortablely hot or sweating more than usual, then it should be clipped. If you have a horse show coming up, it should be clipped. So it doesn't really matter- it just depends when your horse gets furry.

Answer 3

Each horse is different and their hooves grow at different speeds (just like your fingernails may grow faster than your best friends') Some horses need a trim every 4 weeks while others may not need a trim for 6 - 8 weeks. Weather, the seasons, diet and the terrain the horse is walking on are all factors that can change how fast a horses hoof grows. Consult with a reputable farrier to determine your horses needs, preferably one who is knowledgeable in Natural Hoof Care. Because a horse is almost always on its feet, their hooves are their foundation and of utmost importance to the health of your horse. Get your horse on a regular farrier schedule for a happy, healthy and sound horse. For more information on Natural Hoof Care, scroll down this page for some links to the forerunners in Natural Hoof Care, Jaime Jackson and Pete Ramey.

Answer 4

The general rule of thumb is every 6-8 weeks. It varies from horse to horse. Many factors can affect how often a horse needs a trim. If a horse is shod (has shoes) it depends on how quickly his feet grow, and how quickly he wears the shoes down. If the horse is barefoot (does not have shoes) it depends on how quickly his feet grow in relation to how quickly he wears his feet down. If he grows his feet out quicker than he wears them down, he'll need to be trimmed more often. If he wears them down quicker than he grows them, you may want to consider shoeing him.

Talk to your farrier to see how often they think your horse needs a trim. Also keep an eye on his feet, if they start looking really long, the toe starts turning up (like an elf shoe), the sides are splaying out, or the toe starts looking square rather than rounded, it's time to call the farrier out to give your horse's feet a trim.

Answer 5

You generally want to clip your horse every couple months if you are not showing. If you are showing, you should clip your horse once every 3-4 weeks in order to keep him or her looking sharp for the judges.

Answer 6

The hoof pick needs to be used every day and after rides. The soft brush also needs to be used every day. Never ride without removing dirt from a horses fur.

Answer 7

Do you mean clean the horse itself or it's stall? You should clean it's stall daily, and the best thing is to clean the horse daily as well.

Answer 8

every 6-8 weeks generally, but each horse is different, and some require it every 4-6 weeks, so I advise you talk to your farrier.