There are so many benefits to hot fitting shoes. First and foremost there is 100% contact between the hoof and the shoe making the shoe a perfect fit. It also kills bacteria in the white line.  Hot shoeing also helps moisture control. It helps seal the tubules, making them less likely to dry out in drought conditions or take on moisture in a wet environment.

It is individual to each horse’s needs of course but every 6-8 weeks is a good rule of thumb.

Honestly, hoof dressing does more harm than good in most cases. Studies have found hoof moisturizing dressings start to actually build up on the hoof wall and the foot can’t breathe. Another study found that when hoof moisturizer was applied to cracked, brittle feet, it further weakened the protein in the hoof wall; and the hoof lost its ability to regulate the moisture content of the hoof. If you insist on using some sort of dressing on your horse use a hoof hardener.

Mature adult horses teeth erupt 2-4mm every year. This means regardless of problematic signs you should get your horses teeth floated at least once a year. However, some signs there may be a problem are reluctance to eat, dropping grain, dropping balled up hay (quidding), chewing excessively on one side of the bit, head tossing, and weight loss. Halitosis (foul breath) and nasal discharge may be a sign of an abscessed tooth or infection.

Because of domestication horses teeth do not wear properly. Sharp points may develop and cause lacerations, ulcers and soreness in the horse’s mouth. If this uneven wear is allowed to continue, horses can develop waves, ramps, hooks and other serious malocclusions of the cheek teeth that can lead to severe pain, infection or tooth loss. Additionally, horses may have wolf teeth which are technically the first premolar. Wolf teeth are comparable to wisdom teeth in people. They have no known function and can cause pain and/or discomfort when the horse wears a bit. For this reason they are generally removed before introducing a bit or any training.

A foal’s first dental exam should occur shortly after birth to check for any congenital defects. A normal young horse should have dental work done between 18-24 months of age. Thereafter, your horse should see the dentist between every 6 months to a year depending on the dentist’s recommendation.