When to Call Your Farrier

Your farrier visits on a schedule—typically every 4–6 weeks for shod horses, or every 6–8 weeks for barefoot horses. But horses' hooves change constantly. Learning to read your horse's feet and movement will help you catch problems early, before they become serious. This guide helps you recognise when something isn't right and what information to share with your farrier.

Check your horse's feet at least twice daily—once in the morning and once at evening turnout. Look for:

• Heat in the hoof: Feel the hoof wall and sole with your hand. A normal hoof is cool and even. If one hoof is noticeably warmer than the others, especially if the horse is lame, contact your farrier or vet.
• Swelling: Look at the coronet (the band of skin at the top of the hoof). Swelling here suggests inflammation inside the hoof and needs attention.
• Discharge: Any pus, blood, or dark fluid from the sole, frog, or between the shoe and hoof means infection. Call immediately.
• Loose shoes: A shoe that's shifted, bent, or coming away from the hoof is uncomfortable and can damage the hoof—don't wait for the next appointment.
• Cracks: Small surface cracks in the hoof wall are normal, but deep, spreading cracks or cracks that reach the coronet need assessment.
• Frog decay: The frog (the rubbery V-shaped part on the sole) should be firm. If it's soft, smelly, or separating from the sole, it needs cleaning and treatment.
• Lameness or stumbling: If your horse is suddenly lame, even slightly, or stumbling more than usual, the feet are often the cause.

Movement Changes to Notice

Watch your horse during turnout and riding. Report to your farrier if you see:

• New lameness or a change in gait
• Reluctance to work on hard ground
• Shortened stride on one side
• Dragging toes or stubbing
• Reluctance to load weight onto one leg
• Changes in jumping style or refusal

Pick out your horse's feet at least twice daily, especially after turnout or work. Remove dirt and bedding from the sole and frog. Look for any abnormalities while you do this. Keeping hooves clean helps prevent infection and lets you spot problems early. If your horse is stabled, ensure the stable has good drainage and is cleaned regularly—wet, dirty bedding encourages hoof problems. For turnout, provide shelter and good footing; avoid muddy, waterlogged fields if possible.

Call your farrier immediately (same day or next morning):

• Loose or shifted shoe
• Any discharge from the foot
• Heat in the hoof with lameness
• Obvious puncture wound or nail in the sole
• Sudden lameness
• Swelling at the coronet

Call your vet immediately if:

• The horse cannot put weight on the leg
• There is significant swelling above the hoof
• The horse is running a fever
• Discharge is profuse or the hoof is very hot

Schedule a farrier visit within the next week if:

• The hoof looks dry and brittle, or the frog is deteriorating
• The shoe is wearing unevenly
• You notice asymmetry (one hoof looking different from the other)
• The horse seems to be working differently

When you call or when your farrier arrives, be ready to describe:

• When you noticed the problem: "Yesterday afternoon" is more useful than "sometime this week"
• Which leg: "Right front hoof is hot" not "a foot is warm"
• Behaviour changes: "He's not willing to trot on the road" or "He's favouring his left leg when standing"
• Recent changes: "He went barefoot last week" or "We schooled on deep sand"
• What makes it better or worse: "He's worse after work" or "He's better after walking out"

Routine farrier visits are typically every 4–6 weeks for shod horses. If you've had a problem—heat, lameness, or infection—keep a close eye on the hoof after treatment and report any changes. If you notice the problem returning before the next scheduled visit, contact your farrier. Building a strong communication partnership with your farrier means they trust your observations and will prioritise calls when you report genuine concerns.