Before Hoof Grooming™

(In this description, the term "horse" refers to horses, donkeys, mules, etc.)

Hoof Groom™ is a term coined by Martha Olivo to describe a person who cares for "bare" hooves on an as-needed basis. In Nature, horses tend their own hooves. "Hoof Grooms™" respect and care for the hooves as one respects and cares for the rest of the horse’s body by "mimicking mileage" through routine care that aids exfoliation of dead hoof skin before it accumulates enough to interfere with hoof form and function.

Grooming is an exercise of good stewardship. Among horse people, whole body grooming of the horse is universally considered a necessary, generally pleasant task; a labor of love, if you will.

A groom with knowledge of hoof care can incorporate the same concern for the hooves into the overall grooming routine. Grooming aids in exfoliating dead skin from the horse's hide, keeping it clean and healthy, free of sweat and grime. A good groom also examines the horse’s body for wounds and parasites as they check the horse’s general condition from head to tail. "Hoof grooming" denotes a harmless action that assists dead hoof skin exfoliation. It also enables the groom to detect, address and/or circumvent hoof problems.

Hoof grooming™ completes the whole body grooming process for the horse. Timely hoof grooming™ matches the hoof wear that a horse would experience if it could move freely enough to care for its own hooves.

Hooves should be groomed at no more than 3 week intervals. Once the grooming routine is established and the hooves are groomed properly and routinely, there are no more drastic changes to the hoof form. Timely correct hoof grooming results in horses enjoying comfortable, sound well formed hooves.
Discomfort frequently occurs to hooves trimmed at longer than 3-week intervals, due to dramatic changes in hoof form.

There is a distinctive calmness associated with hoof grooming™. Both horse and human are encouraged to relax and be comfortable throughout the hoof grooming™ process. Hoof grooms™ generally sit on a short, wheeled stool as they attend to their horse’s hooves. This relieves the human’s back of unnecessary strain. Horses are able to bend their limbs in a more comfortable manner when they are not pulled out sideways. Horses are also allowed to adjust their balance and shift their hooves as they need to without fear of reprisal, since there are no nails or hard, unforgiving metal for either party to contend with. Consequently, there is no need for the hoof groom™ to hang on to a leg for dear life. This results in a relaxed and focused hoof grooming™ session.

Hoof grooming™ has been already proven worldwide by thousands of horse owners who groom their own horses’ hooves! These people can attest not only to significant monetary savings in veterinary and farrier bills, but also to improved relationships with their horses. Read any of the natural hoof posts and see for yourself!

Hoof grooming™ results in a stronger horse/human bond. The reason many of us have horses is to enjoy a special relationship with a wonderful, powerful creature. In fairness, the horse’s basic nature should be regarded throughout its lifetime of service to us. The ability to move freely is fundamental to the well-being of a prey animal. What better gift can you give to your horse than his own healthy, unfettered hooves?

Same hoof after Hoof Grooming™