Once the fields turn to mud and the gateways become a quagmire, your horse's hooves start working much harder. Constant moisture, mud and wet bedding soften the hoof horn and give bacteria the conditions they love, which is why thrush is so common at this time of year (British Horse Society).
A good hoof-care routine doesn't need to be complicated. It mostly comes down to doing the simple things consistently.
Pick out feet every day
Daily picking out is the most useful habit you can have in winter. Clear out mud, stones and packed-in bedding, and pay particular attention to the frog and the grooves on either side of it.
It's also your chance to have a proper look. Check for cracks, changes to the frog, any discharge or an unpleasant smell. A strong, foul smell or black, tar-like gunk around the frog is often the first sign of thrush (British Horse Society).
Give them somewhere dry to stand
In winter, hooves go through a constant cycle of wet field, muddy gateway, wet bedding and back again. Wherever you can, give your horse a clean, dry area to stand on, whether that's hardstanding, a well-bedded stable or a dry patch away from the water trough. Too much moisture softens the hoof wall, so even a few hours a day out of the wet helps (British Horse Society).
For horses living out in particularly wet, muddy conditions, Keratex Hoof Gel is worth adding to your routine. It helps protect the hoof from excess water, urine and manure while still letting the hoof breathe (Keratex).
If your horse's legs suffer in the mud too, Keratex Mud Shield Powder puffs straight onto the lower legs for a waterproofing, antibacterial layer on skin that's prone to scabs in wet conditions.
Look after soft or weak hoof horn
Some horses are blessed with tough feet. Others struggle the moment the weather turns, and weeks of wet ground can leave the horn soft, worn or prone to cracking.
Keratex Hoof Hardener is designed to strengthen weak or damaged horn and help manage moisture. Apply it to the lower half of the hoof wall and the sole, and keep it away from the coronary band and frog (Keratex).
No hoof product replaces your farrier. Regular trimming or shoeing keeps the foot balanced, and it's the foundation everything else builds on. Hooves grow more slowly in winter, but it's still worth sticking to your usual farrier routine (British Horse Society).
Preventing and spotting thrush
Thrush is a bacterial infection of the frog, and it sometimes spreads to the heels. It thrives when mud and muck get trapped in the clefts of the frog and stay there (British Horse Society).
Keeping feet clean and as dry as possible is your first line of defence. If your horse is prone to thrush, Keratex Frog & Thrush Disinfectant can be used twice a week, or as needed, to help keep the frog healthy (Keratex).
For really dirty or smelly feet, Keratex Hoof Wash is a disinfecting wash for the hooves and lower legs. You can use it as a scrub or a soak (Keratex).
When to call your farrier or vet
Topical products are great for prevention and mild cases, but some signs need a professional. Call your farrier or vet if you notice any of these:
- discharge that keeps coming back, or a smell that won't shift
- bleeding or sensitivity around the frog
- the frog breaking down or shrinking noticeably
- heat, swelling or lameness
Make it part of the routine
No single product will keep hooves healthy through winter. What works is consistency: pick out daily, check the frogs, keep bedding clean and dry, give them somewhere dry to stand and keep up with farrier visits.
Get those habits in place now, and you'll both be in a much better position by spring.
Sources: BHS – Winter hoof care; BHS – Thrush in horses; Keratex product information.