Had a disagreement today over hoof testers. My mate swears by checking every hoof, I think it's a waste if the horse isn't lame. What's your take?

2 comments

2 Comments

Wait you found a hot nail on a pony that wasn't even limping. That's wild. I mean idk, I always kind of thought like your mate, that it was extra work for no reason. But hearing that changes my view a lot. It's one of those things you don't get until something almost happens, you know? Makes you wonder what else we're missing by just waiting for a limp to show up.

fox.jason3d ago

A study from the University of Florida vet school mentioned that mild hoof soreness often hides until it gets serious. My farrier told me this for years, but I brushed it off as overkill. I had a pony who never limped, so I never saw the point in testing all four feet every time. Then one morning, we found a hot nail during a check that would have caused a bad infection. Now I see it as basic care, like brushing before you ride. Checking each hoof with testers spots small problems before they turn into lame horses.