Learning how to clean your horses hooves is a great way to check a very important part of your horse for problems. The foot of the horse is the pedestal that the whole horse stands on, extra care needs to be taken in this area. As the old English proverb goes, "no hoof, no horse".http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/quotes_horseproverbs.html A horse should not be expected to ride or perform with the the strain of a rider without the proper hoof conditioning and care.

Taking into consideration all the potential hazards of work, showing, and just running around in the pasture being a horse, this isn't as simple as it sounds. Still, a good place to begin is the basic cleaning of the foot. At this point you can check for loose horse shoes, or to see if a dirt or rocks has worked its way up between the shoe and the hoof. You may also check for corns, bruises, or abscesses.http://www.extension.org/pages/Cleaning_a_Horse%27s_Hoof This task should be done at least daily, and before and after riding.

Work your way around the horse in a manner that you would do everyday. You may find that your horse appreciates this and may even lift his own feet for you once the pattern is established. Using a word that you use every day will also help your job. The horse will soon start to respond it you say "pick it up" or "let me have it".

1. Hoof pick--This is the most basic of tools and you will be surprised at how many different kinds there are. They range from plastic to metal, from straight to ergonomically shaped. Some have mud brushes with stiff bristles, some without. You will want one that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to maneuver around. You may want to invest in two or three so you always have one handy.
2. Hoof conditioner: There are many different kinds of hoof conditioners out there from all natural with aloe and lanolin to petroleum based. The purpose of the hoof conditioners is to maintain moisture in the hoof, hydrate the hoof, and keep excess water out of the hoof.http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4604283.html
3. Gloves: Gloves are an essential part of horse care for the protection of your hands. Horses hooves may have sharp edges and are almost always dirty. There are many to choose from and any horse supply store or catalog would have them. They range in price from very reasonable to quite high. What you want to look or is a glove that fits your hand snugly, like a second skin, so you can grasp small objects and do buckles if you need to. If don't want them so tight that you cannot comfortably make a fist. You may choose leather or cotton, whatever works for you. Cotton has the advantage of being able to be washed. Leather gloves seem a little more sturdy and sharp objects are less likely to poke through. If your leather gloves get wet; however, it is a little difficult to get them soft again.

To ask your horse for his front foot:

1. Stand side by side with the horse facing backward.http://www.extension.org/pages/Cleaning_a_Horse%27s_Hoof
2. Place the near hand on the horses shoulder, pushing until he shifts his weight to the other side.
3. Slide the outside hand down the back of the leg to the flexor tendons below the knee.
4. Squeeze the skin around the chestnut or a little lower. If he ignores this you can tap on the coronary band with the hoof pick to remind him of his manners.Grooming To Win by Susan Harris, Howell Book House, New York, NY 1977
5. As the leg comes up, cradle the hoof with your hand. Do not hold the pastern and let the hoof dangle.Grooming To Win by Susan Harris, Howell Book House, New York, NY 1977
6. Clean the hoof from back to front
7. Gently put the foot down.
8. Do not allow the horse to jerk the foot away or decide when hoof cleaning if done.

To ask your horse to lift his hind leg:

1. Stand next to the horses hip facing backwards.
2. Lean against the horse with the hand closest to the horse, asking him to shift his stand to the other leg. You may notice some horses that purposefully lean back into the pressure. A sharp tap and telling the horse to "Get off" or "pick it up" will remind him of his manners.
3. With your free hand slide it downs towards the rear of the cannon bone, to the flexor tendons, under the hock.
4. Squeeze briefly.
5. Pull forward against the tendon.
6. Once the foot is up, cup it with the INSIDE hand.http://www.extension.org/pages/Cleaning_a_Horse%27s_Hoof
7. Grasping your hoof pick clean the hoof from heel to toe being careful to clean the frog gently and go around its edges.http://www.extension.org/pages/Cleaning_a_Horse%27s_Hoof
8. Gently set the hoof back down when you are done, being careful not to set it on your toe or fingers.

If you have a particularly heavy job once you have the horses hoof up you may want to assume a squatting position and put the hoof on your thighs.

Do not lift the horses leg too far up or pull it too far to the side. This may cause the horse to struggle or kick out to get his leg away.Grooming To Win by Susan Harris, Howell Book House, New York, NY 1977

Do not slide your hand down the inside of the leg, especially on a strange horse. By going down the outside you are able to deflect a kick or push to safety. If your hand is on the inside should the horse snatch his foot up or kick, your arm would be trapped as he flexed his hock.Grooming To Win by Susan Harris, Howell Book House, New York, NY 1977