🌦️ Vet Research 2025: How Seasons Affect Horse Hoof Growth and Travel Patterns 🐎🦶

Ever wondered why your farrier might need to visit more often in some months and less in others? Or why your horse still needs turnout time even when it’s cold and snowy? 🌨️ According to Dr Duncan Houston, new research shows that seasonal shifts affect not just hoof growth, but also the way horses move—even when their surroundings don’t appear to change much. 🧠🐴

📊 Study Background: Linking Environment to Equine Movement

A study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science followed 10 horses at the University of Connecticut. Each horse was:

• 🛏️ Stalled for 7 hours/day
• 🏞️ Turned out for the remaining hours
• 📡 Fitted with GPS trackers to monitor movement patterns

All horses were trimmed and shod every 6 weeks. The team tracked how hoof growth and movement changed across seasons—revealing some fascinating insights. 🧪

📏 Hoof Growth Isn’t Uniform Year-Round

On average, equine hooves grow between 8–10 mm per month. But this rate can vary depending on:

• 🎂 Age
• 🐴 Breed
• 🥕 Nutrition
• 🌍 Climate and environment

💡 Seasonal Findings:

• 🍂 Fall: Fastest hoof growth
• ❄️ Winter: Slowest hoof growth

Why does this matter? Because hoof trims that are too far apart during high-growth seasons can lead to:

• ⚖️ Imbalance
• 🔁 Breakover issues
• 💥 Joint strain

Tip: You may need to trim more often in the fall and can possibly extend intervals slightly in winter—always consult with your farrier and vet. 📆✂️

👣 Seasonal Movement Patterns: What GPS Revealed

Despite assumptions that horses move less in colder weather, the GPS data showed something unexpected:

• 📈 Step count stayed consistent across all seasons
• 🌸 In spring/summer: Horses explored farther from the barn
• ❄️ In winter: Movement concentrated near shelter—but total distance remained similar

This proves that even when confined to smaller spaces due to weather, horses still need—and seek—movement. And limiting turnout in winter could disrupt their natural psychological and physiological patterns. 🧭

🧬 Why Turnout Matters All Year Long

In the wild, horses naturally move 16–20 hours per day. This movement is essential for:

• 🔄 Circulatory health
• 🧠 Mental well-being
• 🦶 Hoof wear and blood flow

Horses kept in stalls without adequate turnout can develop a range of problems, including:

• 🔗 Stocking up (fluid retention in legs)
• 💢 Behavioral stress (cribbing, weaving)
• 🩺 Lameness from lack of natural hoof loading

Dr Duncan Houston recommends regular turnout—even in winter—with dry, safe footing and shelter. Horses that keep moving will maintain better hoof quality and overall health year-round. ❄️🏃‍♂️

🦶 Hoof Care Tips by Season

🍂 Fall

• 📈 Fastest hoof growth—trim every 4–5 weeks
• 🧴 Moisturize to prevent drying/cracks in cooler winds

❄️ Winter

• 📉 Slower hoof growth—may trim every 6–7 weeks
• 💧 Avoid repeated wet/dry cycles to prevent wall separation
• 🔍 Watch for thrush in wet/muddy turnout areas

🌱 Spring

• 🌼 Growth begins increasing again
• 🧼 Clean out wet soles daily

☀️ Summer

• ☀️ Dry heat = brittle hooves in some areas
• 🧴 Use hoof moisturizers or sealants as needed

📏 The Hoof Growth Cycle and Movement

Movement stimulates hoof health by increasing circulation through the digital cushion, the soft tissue at the back of the hoof. That’s why horses that move more tend to have stronger, more functional hooves. 💪

While the GPS study didn’t show seasonal changes in step count, it’s important to:

• 🛏️ Limit stall confinement
• 🚜 Maintain safe, dry footing during wet months
• 📆 Adjust trimming schedules seasonally

📲 Ask A Vet: Tailored Hoof Plans by Season

Not sure how often to trim in winter vs. summer? Or what products to use during dry vs. wet weather? With the Ask A Vet app, you can consult directly with Dr Duncan Houston and other licensed equine vets for personalized guidance. 📱🐴

Use Ask A Vet to:

• 📤 Share hoof photos for expert analysis
• 📈 Track seasonal changes in hoof wear or balance
• 🧠 Get real-time answers for turnout, nutrition, and trimming

Download the Ask A Vet app today and build your horse’s care around the seasons, not just the calendar. 🧭🦶

🏁 Final Thoughts: Seasonal Awareness = Smarter Hoof Care

Your horse’s hooves don’t grow the same every month—and their movement changes subtly with the weather. But one thing is consistent: horses are built to move, explore, and wear their feet naturally. 🐎

By understanding and adapting to seasonal differences in hoof growth and behavior, you can:

• ✂️ Schedule trims more effectively
• 🦠 Prevent infection and hoof wall damage
• 📈 Improve your horse’s comfort, balance, and performance

🐾 Ready to align your hoof care with the seasons? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to get expert help from veterinarians like Dr Duncan Houston. Track, adjust, and thrive—season after season. 🌦️💙