Picking out a horse’s feet is one of the most fundamental tasks in equine care — and one of the most important. Done correctly and consistently, it prevents a range of hoof problems, keeps the horse comfortable, and gives you an early warning of anything that needs veterinary or farriery attention. It is also one of the first practical skills any new horse owner, groom, or rider should learn.
What “Pick Feet” Means
The phrase “pick feet” or “pick out feet” refers to the process of cleaning the underside of a horse’s hooves using a hoofpick. The underside of the hoof — the sole, the frog, and the clefts on either side of the frog — can pack with mud, bedding, stones, and debris. Left uncleared, this material can cause pressure, bruising, and conditions such as thrush — a bacterial infection of the frog that thrives in damp, dirty conditions.
Horses should have their feet picked out at minimum once daily — before and after work, and whenever they come in from the field. In wet conditions or deep bedding, more frequent checks are beneficial.
How to Pick Out a Horse’s Feet
The process is straightforward but must be done safely and thoroughly:
- Position yourself safely — stand beside the horse’s shoulder facing towards the tail. Never crouch directly behind the horse.
- Ask the horse to lift the foot — run your hand down the back of the leg from the knee or hock and squeeze gently at the fetlock. Most trained horses will pick up the foot willingly. Some horses need a verbal cue (“foot” or “up”) alongside the physical prompt.
- Support the hoof — cradle the hoof in your inside hand, holding it at a comfortable height — not yanked high, which strains the horse.
- Use the hoofpick heel to toe — work from the heel of the hoof towards the toe, clearing debris from the clefts either side of the frog. Be thorough around the frog itself, which traps mud and bacteria.
- Check as you go — look for any stones, nails, cracks in the hoof wall, signs of thrush (black, foul-smelling material in the clefts), or any changes from normal.
- Lower the foot gently — never drop the hoof; lower it steadily and allow the horse to place it.
Repeat for all four feet. Hind feet require the same technique — run your hand from the hindquarter down the back of the leg, supporting the hoof low enough that the horse is comfortable.
What to Look For
Picking feet is not just a cleaning exercise — it is also a daily health check. Each time you pick out a hoof, look for:
- Stones or foreign objects — a small stone wedged in the cleft can cause significant pressure and lameness if left in place.
- Thrush — black, crumbly, foul-smelling material in the frog clefts. Early thrush is easy to treat; advanced thrush can affect the sensitive structures of the hoof.
- Cracks in the hoof wall — small superficial cracks are common, but deep or long cracks need farriery attention.
- Loose or missing shoes — a risen clinch (the turned-over nail end on the hoof wall), a loose shoe, or a missing shoe should be addressed promptly before damage to the hoof wall occurs.
- Heat or sensitivity — run your hand around the coronary band and feel for unusual warmth, which can indicate inflammation or early laminitis.
Teaching a Young or Difficult Horse to Pick Up Feet
Not all horses lift their feet willingly. Young horses, nervous horses, or those with poor handling history may resist. The key is patience and consistency. Start by simply running your hand down the leg and rewarding any shift of weight — you do not need the foot in the air immediately. Build gradually, always rewarding the correct response. A horse that snatches its foot back, kicks out, or leans its weight on you needs patient retraining, ideally with a knowledgeable handler.
The BHS strongly recommends that all horses, from foalhood, are handled routinely to accept foot picking, farriery, and veterinary inspection of all four limbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I pick my horse’s feet out?
At minimum, once per day. Before and after riding is ideal. Horses kept in deep straw bedding or wet paddocks may need their feet checked more frequently, as damp packed material accelerates the development of thrush.
What does thrush smell like, and is it serious?
Thrush has a distinctive foul, rotten odour and produces dark, soft, crumbly material in the clefts of the frog. Mild thrush is common and treatable with regular foot picking, keeping the horse in clean dry conditions, and topical treatment. Severe thrush can penetrate deeper structures and cause lameness — if the frog looks significantly eroded or the horse is lame, call your vet or farrier.
Do unshod horses need their feet picked out too?
Yes — barefoot horses are just as prone to picking up stones, developing thrush, and accumulating debris. The difference is that there are no shoes to check, but the daily cleaning and inspection routine remains equally important.