You've heard the expression "no hoof no horse," right? Well, in addition to having good farrier care, good hoof care comprises everyday care that you, the horse's owner, administer. In order to keep your horse's feet in top condition, you need to know how to correctly pick them up and clean them. Here's how you do it.

First of all, your horse's feet need to be picked up, checked, and cleaned every day. And that is whether or not you ride your horse that day. Your horse doesn't need to be ridden in order to step on a stone or a nail and have it lodge in his foot. Checking his feet every day is an excellent habit to get into!

So, what should you do if you pick up your horse's foot and find something there? Well, the first thing you should know is that puncture wounds can be quite serious. Instead of attempting to remove the object yourself, call your farrier!

Another good reason for picking up your horses feet on a daily basis is to clean them. Cleaning your horse's feet ensures that dirt and manure are not packed in there for too long. What happens when your horse's feet are packed with dirt or manure? He can get an infection called "thrush," which is a fungus that lives in wet, dirty feet. How can you tell if your horse has thrush? Well, thrush attacks the soft center part of the foot known as the frog, and is distinguished by its strong, rotten odor.

To clean your horse's feet, you'll need a hoof pick and a stiff brush. Pick up your horse's foot, and dig the point of the hoof pick into the dirt and the back of the foot, beside the frog. Try to get the pick under the packed dirt, which will make it come out quicker. Pick from the heel to the toe. Use the brush to clean loose dirt. When your horse's feet are clean, you should be able to easily see all parts of the hoof.

Another good reason for picking up your horse's feet is to check his shoes. You should notice a loose shoe or a bent nail, and will be able to tell if his feet are growing too long or are starting to crack. In any of these cases, a visit by the farrier is warranted.

So, what's the best way to pick up your horse's feet? Well, first of all it is worth mentioning that your horse should be trained to pick up his feet when you ask him to.

To pick up a front foot:

1.      Stand beside the horse's front leg, facing the tail.

2.      Run your hand down his leg to the back tendons. Squeeze his leg gently with your fingers and use a voice command like "pick up."

3.      When he lifts his hoof, make sure you hold it by the hoof and not the pastern.

4.      When you are finished, place the foot back on the ground gently.

To pick up a hind foot:

1.      Stand behind the horse's hindquarters, facing backwards.

2.      Put your hand on the hindquarters and slide it down the outside of the hind leg to the back tendons. Squeeze and pull forward gently, using a voice command such as "pick up."

3.      When he lifts his foot, it will come forward first. Using your hand, guide the leg back until it is a little behind him.

4.      Bend your knees and slide your thigh behind the horse 's hind foot. Hold the hoof, never the pastern. If you hold your horse this way it will ensure that he can't kick you. Instead, he would have to push you out of the way.

Remember, if you ask your horse to consistently pick up his feet in the same way, he'll be much more likely to understand—and oblige—when you ask.