11/12/2025
When it comes to our horses’ hooves and soundness, sometimes we don’t notice right away that something might be “not quite right.” This is something so many owners quietly experience, and it takes a lot of awareness and humility to say, “I thought I was doing what was right, and now I’m learning more.” That’s excellent horsemanship in action.
It’s also incredibly common to not realize there’s room for improvement until you see positive results after a hoofcare change, such as increased stride length, improved comfort, or a healthier hoof shape developing. Horses don’t always show lameness until they’re fairly uncomfortable, and some horses can look “sound” while quietly struggling with issues.
So in that regard, how can amateurs know what to look for in good hoof care? A few guiding principles can help build confidence over time:
A helpful way to evaluate hoof care is to start by watching how the horse moves. A good trim or shoeing cycle should support a clear, confident heel first landing at a forward walk on a flat surface, a stride that shows fluidity throughout the horse’s back and upper body, and easy, balanced turns. You want to see movement that stays the same or improves after each appointment, and ideally does not slowly decline throughout the cycle. If your horse looks looser, more fluid, and more confident both in hand and under saddle, that is valuable feedback that the approach is working. The horse is the ultimate judge, and every horse is an individual – they are the best ones to show you what they prefer.
It’s also useful to observe the hoof itself between appointments. Healthy hooves will typically show strong frog development, and hoof walls that don’t flare, break, or separate before the next appointment, and if shod, you’re not seeing overly worn shoes or excessive shoe loss. A properly functioning frog will have the consistency of a firm rubber eraser when palpated, and should not have any splits, deep crevices or pockets. A hoof that is contracted often has a tight split between the heel bulbs and even in the center of the frog, showing that the hoof isn’t actively engaging with the ground.
A hoof that still looks fairly balanced towards the end of the cycle is a sign of skill and good hoof mechanics; if the hoof starts to fall apart within a week or two, or if the hoof begins to look overdue before the hoofcare provider comes back, it’s worth asking why. A hoof should never “look due,” and a good trim or shoeing approach will keep the hoof in balance throughout the cycle, and not chase after excessive length or distortion at every appointment.
Communication with your farrier is another key piece, and good professionals welcome thoughtful questions. Asking what they are prioritizing in each trim or shoeing, how the horse’s landings look that day, how the hoof health and frogs are progressing, and what their long term goals are for the feet helps you understand their approach. Farriers who are confident in their work generally enjoy discussing their reasoning and sharing a plan.
Tracking progress over time is extremely helpful, even for amateurs. Simple tools like photos mid-cycle and after shoeing, slow-motion landing videos on straight lines and on a flat surface at a walk, and notes about stride length, comfort, and performance recovery build a clear picture of what the horse is experiencing. No single moment tells the whole story, but patterns over time can help establish what works and what doesn’t for each individual horse.
Finally, trust your instincts. When something feels off, exploring alternatives is good horsemanship, not second-guessing. Horses do best when their people stay curious, observant, and willing to learn. Keep asking questions, keep collaborating with your team, and keep advocating. Your horses are lucky to have someone who keeps growing on their behalf.
📎 Save & share this article by Alicia Harlov at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/11/12/how-to-tell-if-your-horses-hoof-care-is-working/
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