THE recent spell of glorious weather has had its downside for horse owners. Aside from the obvious prob-lems in relation to sunburn, keeping horses hydrated and the impact on the ground, many horses around Ireland have developed very dry hooves.

If your horse is shod, they should be seen by a farrier every six to eight weeks. The farrier will be able to decide whether your horse needs a new set of shoes or a reset. This usually depends on how much road work your horse does. Every horse is individual when it comes to shoeing and foot growth. It is important to get your horse seen regularly by a farrier, especially if they have weak hooves. No supplement can ever match the ability of a good farrier.