Hoof care basics: Ensure the soundness of your Appaloosa by taking care of her feet

摘要

Healthy hooves create the foundation of every horse and affect her overall movement, performance and soundness. The following are a few hasic tips for making sure your Appaloosa gets the best hoof care possible. Choose a competent farrier. Good farriers are skilled, experienced, knowledgeable and reliable. They show up on time, answer your questions and work with your veterinarian if necessary to customize a shoeing program to fit your horse's needs. The best farriers are usually found by word of mouth, so ask trainers and other horse owners in your area for references. The American Farriers Association is another resource for finding a certified shoer—visit www.americanfarriers.org.