Put Your Best Hoof Forward
International Hoof Care Month is celebrated throughout the month of February, so this month we’ll be looking at hoof and foot disorders in horses, how they come about, and how VetMed Wound Care can help your horse put its best hoof forward.
There are many disorders that can affect your horse’s foot. These include bacterial and viral infections, bone cysts, corns and cankers, fractures, puncture wounds, and laminitis. It should be noted that these conditions can come about in a number of different ways.
Anatomy of the hoof and foot:
Internal:
Did you know that there are no muscles in the horse foot? Instead, there are bones supported by tendons, ligaments, the hoof wall laminae, and the digital cushion. These three bones are the coffin bone, the navicular bone, and the pastern bone.
External:
The wall, sole, and frog are the three main components of the hoof’s external structure. The part of the hoof that you see when a horse is standing is the wall. The wall is made up of the toe in front, the quarters at the sides, and the heel at the back. Once you lift the foot of the ground, you will be able to see the sole, frog, the wall bars, and the collateral grooves.
The importance of good hoof care:
There is an old adage that says “no foot, no horse”, basically reiterating the need for good, strong, healthy hooves. While horses may be able to overcome other ailments and injuries, because the feet bear so much weight, painful and infected hooves cause a massive problem.
Hooves that have not been properly maintained run the risk of becoming bruised, developing cankers, or becoming cracked. While thrush is a sign of infection, poor trimming and shoeing on the other hand may lead to bruised soles.
It is vital to sort out any type of hoof problems as soon as possible. Waiting to take action could lead to lameness and even more pain and injury for your animal. In some cases, it may be possible to prevent the condition with careful management.
Factors that influence hoof health
There are a number of factors that influence the growth and health of hooves. These factors include:
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Age
- Exercise
- Environmental factors like wet or dry environments
- Hormone imbalances like metabolic syndromes
- Shoeing and trimming of horse hooves
- Whether they’ve suffered hoof damage from previous conditions like laminitis
Using VetMed
Our VetMed Wound and Skin Care range is natural, non-toxic, and completely safe if ingested. Because of it’s antimicrobial action, it’s effective against pathogenic bacteria, viruses, moulds, and fungi. Our Wound and Skin Care spray acts as a disinfectant on the affected area, while simultaneously speeding up the healing process.
VetMed Wound and Skin Care can also be used to fight inflammation, dermatitis, and is odour-neutralising.
To learn more about VetMed, check out our other articles here. Get in touch with us to order your VetMed products today.