🛠️ Vet Care 2025: Essential Hoof Care for Horses in All Seasons 🐎🦶🌦️

There's an old saying in the equine world: "No hoof, no horse." And in 2025, that still rings true. Healthy hooves are not just about aesthetics—they’re the foundation of your horse’s movement, comfort, and longevity. Whether you’re a backyard horse owner or managing a show barn, understanding seasonal hoof care is essential. In this guide, Dr Duncan Houston explains how weather, moisture, and trimming routines affect your horse’s feet—and what you can do about it year-round. 🐴🧠

☀️ Summer Hoof Challenges: Heat, Dryness, and Brittleness

From June through August, extreme heat and low humidity can wreak havoc on your horse’s feet. In hot, dry conditions, hooves often become:

• 🔥 Brittle and prone to cracking
• 🧱 Hard and difficult to trim
• 🚫 Dehydrated, leading to hoof wall separation

As the hoof wall dries and contracts, it can pull away from the sole. Dirt and grit may enter these gaps, causing:

• 🩹 Bruising of the sole
• 💥 Abscesses
• ⚠️ Cracking and breakage along the hoof wall

🧴 Summer Hoof Care Tips

To combat summer hoof issues, hydration is your best friend—but not just with water.

• 💧 Use a lanolin-based moisturizer (not oil-based) like Hoof Maker or Valentine's Dressing
• 🧴 Apply to the hoof wall and sole every other day during dry months
• 🚫 Avoid excessive water soaking, which can disrupt natural moisture balance

Lanolin helps retain internal moisture without blocking the hoof’s natural breathability. Oil-based products can seal the hoof too tightly, preventing healthy air flow. 🧪

🧠 Vet Tip:

Most horses grow hooves more slowly in summer. Schedule trims accordingly, and inspect hooves weekly for early signs of cracks or abscesses. 🔍

🌧️ Fall and Winter: The Moisture Challenge

As the seasons change, moisture becomes the next enemy. Rain, mud, and even morning dew can soften hooves excessively, causing:

• 🧊 Hoof wall separation
• 🦠 White line disease
• 🌫️ Thrush and canker

Think of it like plywood left in water—eventually, the layers start separating. When this happens to your horse’s feet, nails from shoes must be placed higher and higher, weakening the hoof even more. 💥

🛠️ Fall/Winter Hoof Care Tips

• 🛑 Minimize exposure to puddles, mud, and wet bedding
• 🐾 Use drying agents like Durasole to firm up wet hoof walls and soles
• 🪵 Keep horses on well-drained footing whenever possible
• 🌤️ Rotate turnout to dry fields during rainy weeks

Even wet grass can do damage. Morning dew repeatedly moistens and dries the hoof—an inconsistency that causes wall weakening and eventual cracks. 🧬

🧱 The Danger of “Wet-Dry Cycles”

One of the biggest threats to hoof integrity is the cycle of soaking and drying. Examples include:

• 💦 Stepping into ponds, then walking across dry pasture
• 🌫️ Wet morning dew followed by hot sun
• 🌊 Owners who intentionally run over water troughs to “hydrate” the hooves

This doesn’t help—it makes it worse. The repeated swelling and shrinking weakens the hoof wall’s structure. 🧱

🧴 What to Do Instead

• ✅ Use a hoof sealant to maintain internal hydration and resist external water absorption
• 🧼 Clean hooves daily to remove trapped moisture and debris
• 📆 Schedule farrier visits every 4–6 weeks without fail

🧰 Common Seasonal Hoof Problems and Solutions

🧠 The Role of the Farrier in Hoof Health

Your farrier is your hoof care partner. But hoof issues caused by environmental damage aren’t their fault—they’re preventable with proper management. 💬

Communicate clearly with your farrier. If your horse loses a shoe due to wall separation, discuss:

• 📉 Use of clips or glue-on shoes
• 🔧 Modifications for seasonal needs
• 📅 Adjustments in trimming intervals

📱 Ask A Vet: Real-Time Hoof Help

If you’re ever unsure about your horse’s hoof health—whether it’s a crack, a sudden limp, or questions about moisturizers—Ask A Vet is here to help. 🧠

With the Ask A Vet app, you can:

• 📸 Send photos of hoof issues for real-time vet advice
• 💬 Chat with professionals like Dr Duncan Houston who specialize in hoof health
• 📂 Get seasonal care plans based on your location

Download the Ask A Vet app today for peace of mind and better hoof care—wherever you and your horse are. 🐴💙

🏁 Final Thoughts: Every Season Counts

Hoof care is not just about trimming and shoeing—it’s about being proactive, understanding your environment, and adapting your routine as the weather shifts. 🧭

With the right approach, you can avoid common seasonal problems and support long-term soundness in your horse. Whether it’s a dry summer or a wet winter, your horse’s hooves need consistent attention.

🐾 Want expert support in your hoof care journey? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app today to connect with trusted veterinarians like Dr Duncan Houston—because sound hooves mean a sound horse. 🐎🛠️