5 Easy Hoof Care Tips

No Hoof, No Horse: Expert Hoof Care Tips from Mary’s Tack & Feed

At Mary’s Tack & Feed, we’ve spent decades working alongside horse owners, trainers, and farriers, and one truth never changes: “No hoof, no horse.” Healthy hooves are the foundation of every sound, comfortable, and happy horse. Whether you ride occasionally or compete regularly, consistent hoof care is essential.

Here are our expert-approved hoof care tips and trusted products to help your horse put its best foot forward.

1. Daily Hoof Care Is the Foundation of Soundness

Good hoof health starts with daily management. Clean, dry living conditions and regular handling go a long way toward preventing common hoof problems.

• Pick your horse’s hooves daily, before and after riding, to remove debris and check for early signs of thrush, cracks, or soreness.
• Keep stalls clean and dry using quality shavings or absorbent bedding to reduce moisture buildup.
• Stay on a consistent farrier schedule, typically every 4–8 weeks depending on hoof growth and workload. Be nice to them. Maybe get them a gift certificate for a massage for Christmas.

Regular trimming and professional hoof balance are key components of long-term hoof health and overall soundness.

2. Hoof Nutrition & Supplements: Building Strong Hooves from the Inside Out

Hooves grow from the inside out, which means nutrition matters. Quality hay and balanced feed are essential, but many horses benefit from targeted hoof supplements to support growth, strength, and integrity.

At Mary’s, we carry a carefully selected lineup of horse hoof supplements trusted by professionals:

• Farrier’s Formula Hoof Supplement – a long-standing favorite that supports strong hoof growth, thicker hoof walls, and healthy connective tissue. It has been trusted and proven for over 30 years.
• Farrier’s Equine Matrix – a unique nutritional approach featuring a proprietary blend of medicinal mushrooms, naturally occurring biotin, and Vitamin D2 to support cellular and connective tissue health.

3. Thrush Treatment: Stop the Problem Before It Becomes Lameness

Thrush can happen to even the most well-managed horses, especially during wet or muddy seasons. Left untreated, it can lead to soreness and lameness.

Mary’s offers a wide variety of thrush treatments for horses designed to eliminate bacteria and restore healthy hoof tissue. One standout favorite is:

• No Thrush Dry Thrush Treatment – a powder formula made with naturally occurring mineral salts and moisture-absorbing clays. This “dry” approach helps eliminate bacteria without damaging healthy tissue and removes the damp environment thrush thrives in.

4. Be Prepared: Hoof First Aid & Abscess Care Essentials

Hoof abscesses and minor injuries are part of horse ownership, which is why we always recommend keeping a hoof first aid kit in your tack room or trunk.

Basic items to have on hand include:

• Vetrap or cohesive bandage
• Duct tape or EquiFit Hoof Tape
• Epsom salt or Epsom salt poultice
• Cotton roll
• Hoof poultice pads

One of our favorite problem-solvers is the Hoof Wraps Hoof Soaker. Soaking a hoof doesn’t have to be a wrestling match—this easy-to-use soaking boot allows you to treat abscesses efficiently while saving time and frustration.

5. Hoof Conditioners & Dressings: Moisture Balance Matters

Using a quality hoof conditioner helps maintain proper moisture balance, preventing overly dry, brittle hooves or excessive softness.

A customer favorite at Mary’s is:

• Sound Hoof Conditioner – made with all-natural, non-toxic ingredients to promote moisture, suppleness, and a healthy shine. It’s ideal for everyday care and show-ring polish alike.

From daily maintenance to advanced hoof care solutions, our team at Mary’s Tack & Feed is here to help you make confident, informed choices for your horse. We carefully select products we trust and use ourselves—because your horse’s soundness matters.

Stop by the store or shop our full selection of horse hoof care products and let us help you keep your horse healthy from the ground up.