Hoof Health in Wet Weather

Keep those feet fabulous.

When the skies open up and the paddock turns into something between a rice paddy and a slip ‘n slide, your horse’s hooves face a new set of challenges. Excess moisture can weaken the hoof wall, invite bacteria, and turn a healthy frog into a funky mess. The good news? With the proper routine, you can keep hooves healthy, strong, and ready for anything — rain or shine.

1. Pick, Peek, and Prevent
Daily cleaning is your first line of defense. Grab your hoof pick and clear out packed mud, gravel, and manure from heel to toe. The LSU AgCenter notes that moisture + muck = the perfect breeding ground for thrush and other nasty infections. A quick inspection also means you’ll spot trouble early — before a whiff of that “thrush smell” gives it away.

2. Trim on Time
Wet hooves are soft hooves — and soft hooves can crack, split, or develop white line disease. Farrier visits every 4–6 weeks (as recommended by the LSU AgCenter and many professional farriers) keep hoof walls balanced and strong, reducing the risk of separation and infection. Bonus: a well-balanced trim sheds mud and water more efficiently.

3. Drainage is Your Friend
If your turnout areas resemble a swamp, you’re basically running a hoof health obstacle course. Create sacrifice paddocks, rotate fields, and add drainage or gravel to high-traffic areas. The USDA and multiple equine management guides emphasize that drier footing prevents mud fever and thrush and keeps your horse happier (and cleaner) when the rain just won’t quit.

4. Know the Enemy: Moisture-Related Hoof Issues

• Thrush: According to the LSU AgCenter, this bacterial infection thrives in damp, dirty conditions and attacks the frog. Keep it at bay with diligent cleaning and targeted treatments.
• White Line Disease: Excess moisture weakens the hoof wall, allowing opportunistic fungi and bacteria to sneak in. Regular trims and prompt debridement are the cure for this.
• Abscesses: Soft soles + tiny cracks = a fast track for bacteria. If you suspect an abscess, get your farrier or vet involved quickly — prompt drainage can save days of downtime.
  
  

5. Feed from the Inside Out
Rainy weather is no excuse to slack on nutrition. Hoof experts agree that nutrients like biotin, zinc, and methionine help keep hoof walls resilient even when the ground is soggy. A balanced diet sets the stage for healthy new growth that is less prone to moisture damage.

The Final Footnote
Think of wet-weather hoof care as a spa-meets-security-system for your horse’s feet: daily cleaning, regular trims, solid footing, quick action on issues, and good nutrition. With extra attention, you can turn hoof health from “rain-soaked worry” into “mud? No problem.”

Check out our innovative new Silver Honey® product to combat thrush!