Trim Frequency
For most horses and ponies, I recommend a four to five week trim cycle and can accommodate more frequent trims for specific cases, such as laminitis. Some horses do fine with a six week trim but I like to see what each individual needs.
Donkeys generally are fine 6-8 weeks or even more depending on wear and growth as their more robust hooves tend to distort less with a longer trim cycle.
Photos of an older horse on first trim with my recommendations for moving to a shorter trim cycle. Feeling good and more changes to make as he grow out a healthier hoof. You can see that making too dramatic a change may not be the best for a horse - depending on the individual and circumstances such as arthritis etc. The equine is the most important judge!
A shorter trim rotation does the following:
Keeps hoof in correct balance for the limb and animal- reducing compensatory strain on tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Allows helping an equine to grow out a healthier hoof and resolve un-heathy flaring, cracks and distortions
Stimulates the hoof to grow more quickly (great for resolving issues!)
Keep ahead of long toes (I can also give you a rasp to use to help on a weekly basis!)
Allows maintenance of a good bevel/mustang roll to facilitate ease of break over {read more on break over here}.
Allows changes to be made slowly - such as reducing heel height to a most comfortable position for a high-low horse.
Helps your hoof care practitioner to keep a close eye on the hooves - often we can spot issues that may lead to injury/time off/vet bills ahead of time due to changes in the hoof (another benefit to barefoot!) This might be a saddle that no longer fits, a need for bodywork or another dental appointment. Changes in comfort, locomotion and posture show up in the hoof.
If a hoof needs nippers in addition to rasping, they have grown somewhat significantly out of balance. (Donkeys tend to grow ‘up’ and use of nippers is often necessary on a longer cycle).
Thrust monitoring/treatment as necessary
Consider if your tennis shoes grew two sizes larger every six weeks and then you got to go back to well fitting tennies when the shoe-fitter came back. It would throw you out of balance and then you’d have to adjust back to fitting shoes.
Your horse’s hooves should “look great” the whole cycle. When they suddenly look “due” they are likely well-past optimum trimming time.
These are just some of the reasons I hold to a shorter cycle. See how your horse’s hooves improve on a tighter hoof care schedule, I do believe they will appreciate it!
