How often should you pick out hooves?

The basic rule: at least once a day

For most horses, the rule is: pick out the hooves at least once a day. Always do this before and after riding. Before riding, you remove stones, clumps, and manure that could cause pressure. After riding, you check for injuries and make sure no dirt remains in the frog grooves. Horses kept in a stable with limited movement can develop thrush more quickly due to the combination of moisture and manure. For them, a consistent routine of picking out twice a day is a sensible choice.

Turnout changes the situation

Horses that are out in the field day and night have fewer issues with damp stables, but face different risks. Mud and wet grass surfaces retain moisture around the hoof. Even for horses at pasture, pick out the hooves every day when you bring them in or check on them. In changeable weather — such as the Dutch autumn and winter — twice a day is even better. Dry, hard ground in summer, on the other hand, calls for attention to cracks and brittle hooves.

When more frequent picking out is necessary

• After every ride, even after a short 20-minute lunging session
• In muddy or wet pasture conditions, especially with more than 5 mm of rainfall per day
• If your horse is prone to thrush or white line disease
• In summer on sandy surfaces that compact and pick up stones
• Around and after the farrier's visit, to properly monitor the new condition of the hoof
• For horses with laminitis or other hoof conditions, on the advice of your vet

What to check when picking out

Picking out is more than just removing dirt. Use the moment to really look at the hoof. Watch out for:

• An unusual smell or dark, crumbly frog — an early sign of thrush
• A loose or cracked hoof wall, especially at the white line
• Stones or twigs lodged deep in the frog grooves
• Red discolouration or heat in the hoof, which may indicate inflammation
• Wear on shoes or clips that are beginning to come loose

Record abnormalities in the horse profile

Small changes in the hoof are easy to overlook if you don't keep notes. Use the horse profile in EquiSight to record daily observations. This way, you can see at a glance whether a problem is gradually getting worse or improving. You can also use the agenda to plan farrier visits and treatments. Do you have questions about what you're seeing? Ask them via EquiCoach — it gives you direct, contextual advice based on the data you've already entered.

Practical tips for a good routine

• Always keep the hoof pick in the same fixed spot, so you never have to search for it
• Pick out in the same order: left front, right front, right hind, left hind
• Clean the frog grooves carefully but thoroughly with the tip of the pick
• After picking out, use a soft brush to remove any remaining dust if needed
• Note anything you observe immediately, even if it seems minor