[LazyDaisy]

I've had two farriers tell me conflicting things. One says it's bad because it removes the periople that seals the hoof and another says it doesn't cause any problem at all.

What do you all think about hoof sanding for show. Yay or Neigh?

[CJ]

I saw someone elses farrier rasp the periople, and it didnt strike me as a good idea, so I asked my farrier. Nope, he doesnt like the idea/ practice either. Youre right, the periople is an element of moisture retention. I guess people sand it to get the dirt out? Ive always been content that a good Bath did the same thing.

[EqUeStRiAn]

We sand our show horses hooves a bit before each show, but I agree, Its definatley not good for them. But then again neither is bathing or hoof polish

[CJ]

Yeah, but arent bathing & hoof polish more temporary affronts than sanding a layer off?

[EqUeStRiAn]

Hoof polish can clog up hooves for months, bathing can remove oils that take weeks to regenerate, sanding a layer off can take anywhere from 3 weeks to a month to grow back. All arent natural, but they arent life threatening either.

[codyntampa]

I wouldnt do it.....I get the same results by using a scrub brush to clean the hooves and then painting them.

[Sandra-A1]

Once you sand a hoof there is no need to do it before each and every show....especially if you show regularly. Sanding is only done on a "as needed only" basis. You do not sand hard or deeply, you only want to make the hoof smooth in appearance once the hoof polish is applied.
There are products that can be put on the hoof after sanding that will help to seal the hoof.
Also, if you sand then you must take care of the hoof and use a good hoof conditioner and it would not hurt one bit to feed a supplement that is formulated especially for hoofs.
The problems from sanding come from people who do it too deeply, too often, and do not take care of the hooves properly after they over do sanding them!

[SweetIron]

I just use a relatively hard-bristled body brush. it gets the dust off and does not do much else, which is good.

[irideazip]

i have only sanded my horses hooves once and, while it looked nice, it was a lot of work. SO, i just let her go and polish before every show and moisterize during the week. AND...as taboo as this is...i still polish all four hooves black, even tho her two back feet are white...i love the look when all 4 are done in black...it makes her look so put together and neat and clean

[*Psylocke*]

Originally Posted by codyntampa

I wouldnt do it.....I get the same results by using a scrub brush to clean the hooves and then painting them.

lol I am sure it looked good but I highly doubt the same.... we sand before shows with an electric sander and not too much work with that one.... but doing it by hand I didnt enjoy.....lol if you arent showing and just want them to look good for someone then I would just hose the feet off and scrub with steel wool then hose again....do that a few times and the feet will look pretty good.

Psy