The Anvil: Seasonal Tips for Horse Feet

Winter for most of us here in the Northwest is spent buried under snow those of us who compete are on the offseason, and the hunting and pack season is over. The sliders are off, the borium is off and it's time to take a little break and enjoy the hard work of the previous year.

There really isn't any reason to keep full shoes on your animal if your paddock or turnout isn't too rocky or exposed to rocky areas. Some owner's might prefer half shoes in areas where the turnout has varied terrain, or their horses are still used for trail rides or off season trainings.

However, those of us lucky enough to have a decent turnout should take full advantage of the offseason to let our horses go barefoot and schedule regular trims. Good diet and regular hoof care is the best way to keep your horse's feet healthy.

Tips for Spring

and schedule your trims and shoeings in a timely manner, every 5-8 weeks, and get ready for summer!