Hoof Preparation

For perfect polished hooves, here are some tips to help you get that smooth glossy look!

• Trim the hair around the coronet band.  This is a must if you use hoof black on a white foot, it will stop the black ‘bleeding’ onto and up the white hair.
• Sandpaper blocks.  Use a medium & fine grade sandpaper block around the coronet band to smooth the hoof ‘cuticle’ (that waxy scurf around the top of the hoof).  Sandpaper blocks are flexible and can also be used to clean up daggy chestnuts on the legs.
• Sand the surface of the hoof lightly to give a smooth, even base to apply hoof black.  If showing with natural coloured (white or parti) hooves, give the hoof a good scrub and let it dry first before sanding, this will show you where the stains in grooves are.
• After sanding, rub over the hoof with black or white boot polish.
• Toothpaste!  Super quick and safe hack for white hooves and feet with shoes on. Use a couple of dollops of white toothpaste with a cloth or toothbrush to get those nail holes and toe clips really clean and white.
• If you have a fidget, try to pre prepare hooves at home when they are relaxed and relatively still.  Doing this the night before your event will save time and frustration.  If touch ups are needed, try doing this while the horse is on the float, or step them up onto the ramp to touch up on the day.
• Carpet squares are cheap, lightweight and easy to use under the foot for hoof painting.
• Touch-ups!  In-between classes and need a perfect finish for a championship call?  Steel wool is your best friend here.  Plain (un-soaped) steel wool rubbed over the hoof will tidy up any streaks or blemishes, remove dirt without washing, and buff up the remaining hoof gloss ready for a quick re-coat of colour or clear.
• Hairspray – an often used ‘pro hack’ for keeping the hoof gloss from rubbing off.  Be aware that hairspray is a solvent, and may well make your hoof black run!  Make sure hoof polishes are totally dry before spraying and apply sparingly.
• A la Naturel – for the natives and natural look, use the cleaning methods for white hooves above, for dressing, try Glass Pro Coat Laminator over the hoof rather than waxes or vegetable oils (these can make the dirt cling to hooves) It will stop the dirt sticking and makes an easy wipe over to get ring ready for a perfectly natural look.
• Remember!!  If you use hoof black, or resin type glosses, remove them after your show.  A little non-acetone nail polish remover will do the trick.