International Hoof Care Month is observed every year throughout the month of February. This month draws attention to the importance of looking after animals’ hooves. According to National Today, while the origins of International Hoof Care Month are largely unknown, we do know that this day was set aside to create awareness of hoof-care health. This sounds like a good day to know everything there is to know about animal hooves.
Our hooved animal friends – such as horses, mules, cows, goats, sheep, and pigs – cannot have a happy and healthy life when these parts of their legs are ailing. An ailing hoof may develop an infection that will cause the animal to start limping, have difficulty walking, and develop arthritis and other joint issues. This animal will also have problems feeding because they cannot bend since doing so places additional weight on the ailing hoof which is painful. Some animals will also have challenges mating because they rely on their legs to be able to support them during breeding.
A hoof is basically an enlarged toe made of keratin, a protein also found in human hair and nails. Hooves are composed of two structures, the ‘unguis,’ and the ‘subunguis.’ The ‘unguis’ is the nail, while the ‘subunguis’ is a fine layer on the underside of the nail. The ‘unguis’ surrounds the tip of the animal’s digit like a cylinder, encircling the ‘subunguis.’ Animals with hooves are known as ‘ungulates.’ There are two categories of ungulates, odd-toed ungulates called ‘Perissodactyla’ and even-toed ungulates called ‘Artiodactyla.’ The odd-toed ungulates use an odd number of their toes while moving, usually one or three. The even-toed ungulates walk on an even number of toes, usually two or four.
Just as we take care of our feet and toes, so we should take care of animals’ hooves since hooves affect their mode of transport and, consequently, every other area of their lives. They may develop infections or start walking with a limp. For animals that move in herds, any animal with an injured hoof won’t keep up with the rest of the herd, becoming vulnerable to predators. For others, such as horses, hooves bear the full brunt of the animal’s weight. Having an injured hoof puts them under significant stress and has a negative impact on their overall health.
If you have a pet with hooves, here’s how you can Observe International Hoof Care Month:
- Give proper care. Now is the time to check on them. Schedule an appointment with a farrier or look after their hooves yourself.
- Make a veterinary appointment. An animal’s hooves are but a part of their bodies. Schedule an appointment with a vet to make sure your animal is in overall good health.
- Share details about hoof care. Share what you know about International Hoof Care Month with your network. You could save other animals from suffering due to health issues.
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