Daily Exposure of Hooves to Water

In nature, the horse goes into the water most days to drink. They don't know that their hooves need to absorb moisture but they'd rather just spend some time drinking, playing and cooling off. The absorption of water prevents the hooves from drying out which keeps them elastic and supple to maintain their hoof mechanism. With a lack of water on hooves they can dry out and cause a lack of hoof mechanism, shock absorption, cracks and over time, contraction. 

Absorption of water happens when the periople corium (near the coronet of the hoof) has enough exposure to water. In the summer months, the ground gets so hard that there is no dew/moisture in the paddocks. When the hoof is hydrated the periople corium will become white. This can take from at least 30 minutes up to an hour in the summer months. 20 to 30 minutes of hoof soaking per day is optimal. 

Hoof Soaking for Hoof Trimming

Hoof soaking for at least 30 minutes before your monthly hoof trimming appointment is a must for your hoof trimmer to be able to do an optimal trim on your horse. 

Ways to soak your horse

Homemade Foot Baths 

An easy homemade foot bath trap can be made with four poles and some old carpet on a flat place near water for easy refill. It is best to have a yard around it so you don't need to stand there while your horse is soaking. 

Make it Easy! SO you DO it! 

It is a good idea to make hoof soaking a part of your daily routine with your horses and at the same time, make it easy for yourself. For example, give your horse a soak when you're finished riding and it is having its feed, or while you're hosing him down. You could also put them in the foot bath while you're having your breakfast. You need a flat area near to where you normally tack up and preferable near a hose. It is best to have a yard around this area so you don't need to stand there while soaking for 20 minutes. Teach your horse that hoof soaking is their resting place. 

Purchasing soaking boots or foot baths 

Here at EQHC, we sell these plastic foot baths and Mable Jean canvas soaking boots.
If interested, please email [email protected] for foot baths or please click on the button below for soaking boots. 

How to get your horse ready for soaking boots and foot baths.