Natural care to prevent cracks and splits - How you and your farrier can work together for strong, summer hooves
Having got through the long, dark, wet, winter we all look forward to those sunny days of summer. Less mucking out, more riding, more competitions and events, equals more fun with your horse. But, as horse owners, many of us will recognise the frustration on the morning of a show:
“Oh no – today is not the day for you to lose a shoe!!”
Alongside more sunshine, the dry, hot months can also bring a host of hoof health concerns which, at best can ruin your plans for the day, and if left unchecked, may lead to long-term damage or lameness. The combination of hard ground, increased moisture loss, and the ever-present microbial activity makes summer one of the most challenging seasons for maintaining strong, healthy hooves.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Whatever your horse or pony’s foot regime, from fully shod to barefoot, ensure you are working with your farrier for regular professional care. Alongside that we, as owners, can all implement a daily hoof regime to maintain strong, healthy hooves between farrier visits.
The Summer Hoof Challenge
Hooves are remarkably adaptable structures, but they’re also vulnerable to environmental stressors. Here are the most common problems owners encounter during the hot months:
Dry, Cracked Hooves
Prolonged exposure to dry, hard ground and increased water evaporation from the hoof can lead to brittle, cracked walls. These cracks may be superficial at first, but if ignored, they can become deeper and more painful, providing an entry point for infection.
Hoof Wall Separation
As hooves become dry and lose their natural elasticity, the wall may begin to flare and separate from the white line. This opens the door for bacteria and fungi to invade, which can spiral into white line disease or abscesses.
Thrush and Fungal Infections
While dry conditions dominate during the day, horses standing in dewy fields overnight or standing in muddy trough areas during hot weather can develop pockets of dampness around the frog. This, combined with warm temperatures, creates ideal conditions for thrush and other fungal issues.
Increased Risk of Abscesses
Dry hooves can harden and contract, trapping debris. When moisture suddenly re-enters the environment—for example, after a storm or hosing—the hoof expands again, sometimes pushing trapped debris deeper into the structure, causing painful abscesses.
The Role of Proper Topical Care
While a good trimming schedule and balanced nutrition are essential foundations for hoof health, topical applications become critical during the summer to maintain the hoof’s barrier function and microbial balance. But not all hoof products are created equal. For the best summer protection ensure you combine moisture regulation with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The following key actives, are particularly recognised.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining the hoof’s natural moisture barrier. When applied topically, they penetrate the hoof wall to support elasticity and flexibility, preventing cracking and flaring. They help maintain the integrity of the stratum externum—the outermost protective layer of the hoof— which is held together by lipids (fats). The regulating barrier formed helps reduce excessive evaporation in dry spells, whilst repelling excess water in wet conditions.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, especially those derived from plant oils, are ideal for maintaining this natural lipid layer. Unlike synthetic sealants that can block the hoof from breathing, these bioavailable oils condition the hoof while allowing for proper moisture exchange, and are highly compatible with hoof horn.
“Maintain hoof moisture balance through the summer, as that will help with the integrity of the horn itself, helping it to adapt to dry conditions." Andrew James. AWCF. Master Farrier
Lauric Acid
Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid with powerful natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Derived primarily from coconut oil, it targets common pathogens responsible for thrush, white line disease, and other microbial infections that flourish during hot, humid conditions.
Unlike harsh chemical treatments, lauric acid is gentle on healthy tissue and helps create an environment where beneficial microbes can thrive while pathogenic bacteria are suppressed. It's particularly useful for treating and preventing frog infections and white line intrusion without causing drying or irritation.
Teatree Oil
Long recognized for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal properties, tea tree oil is one of the best natural ingredients for hoof care. It’s especially useful for managing thrush, seedy toe, and superficial infections of the sole and frog, helping to maintain the absence of anaerobic activity.
For summer hoof care formulation, teatree works synergistically with fatty acids and lauric acid to maintain a healthy hoof.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary isn’t just a fragrant herb—it’s a potent natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. In hoof care, rosemary oil enhances circulation to the hoof capsule and promotes healing of minor abrasions or bruises that can result from hard, uneven ground.
Hoof Application Tips for Maximum Benefit
- Apply daily especially during periods of intense heat or when your horse is working hard.
- Focus on the hoof wall, sole, and around the frog, but avoid packing oils into deep cracks unless directed by your vet or farrier.
- Ensure hooves are clean and dry before applying.
- Use as part of a broader hoof care routine that includes regular trimming, good hygiene, and targeted hoof nutrition.
Nourishing from within
For an all-round holistic approach to hoof care we also need to ensure we are supporting through their diet with the right nutritional tools for strong, healthy hoof horn growth.
Start with a balanced diet, ideally fibre and forage focused. Not only is the high-fibre diet natural to the horse and their digestion, but it will optimise richness and effectiveness of the hindgut microbiome which, in turn, are responsible for metabolism of key hoof wall nutrients, such as biotin.
However, hoof nutrition is about much more than biotin alone. For further information on choosing a hoof support supplement, read our ‘No hoof, no horse’ blog.
Reference
2017. Gerndt, Nina & Neumann, Stephan & Sünder, Angela. Fatty Acid Pattern of Stratum Corneum Differs in Equine Hoof Horn of Different Quality and Moisture. 10.4172/2574-2868.100006.
Written by: Kate Hore, Head Nutritionist. RNutr (Animal), R.Anim.Technol (Cert), BSc(Hons). – Find out more about Kate and out Technical Team HERE.
