1. In the past six months, how often did your
horse have some pain related to his feet?
(1 pt) All of the time
(2 pt) Most of the time
(3 pt) Some of the time
(4 pt) Occasionally
(5 pt) Never
2. What best describes the appearance of your horse's feet?
(1 pt) All four toes appear long, with low heels and cracks in the feet; or crooked legs
(2 pt) All four toes appear long, with low heels, and mismatched feet or toed-in foot
(3 pt) Either the front or hind feet appear long with low heels, or are mismatched or toed-in
(4 pt) The front feet are slightly mismatched or toed-out
(5 pt) Feet appear matched, not toed-in or toed-out, and the hind feet have nice heels
3. During the past six months, how often did your horse get at least 45 minutes of structured exercise (not just turnout)?
(1 pt) Never
(2 pt) Once or twice per month
(3 pt) Two to eight times per month
(4 pt) Eight to 20 times per month
(5 pt) >20 times per month
Your answers to this six-question Healthy Horse Hoof Test will provide a score that can help you determine if your current horse hoof care plan is appropriate. Discuss the results of this test with your veterinarian and farrier to assist
you in determining the best care for your horse.
Healthy Horse Hoof Test
Richard A. Mansmann, VMD, PhD
Thi is the Print Version: print out copies of this page. .
Also print out copies of Healthy Horse Hooves for respondents.
Sponsored by Dr. Dick Mansmann of Equine Podiatry & Rehabilitation Mobile Practice of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517
If you would like to arrange a consult with Dr. Dick Mansmann about your horse's hooves
contact him at DickMansmann@gmail.com or give your name and contact information here.
Name ______________________ Phone ___________ Email ____________________________
If your horse's score is 24 or greater, your horse's feet are on the correct path, but do show this test to both your veterinarian and farrier for their comments. Foot problems like laminitis are very unpredictable and mild changes in diet, such as pasture grass getting more "lush" with no reduction in grain intake or pasture grass turnout time, can influence the onset of laminitis. You should score your horse’s hoof health again in 6 to 12 months. If your horse's score is less than 24, this may be an indication that your horse's feet are having or about to have problems that need consult with both your veterinarian and farrier. Additional management, laboratory tests, or radiographs may be suggested to help to increase your horse's score or to help solve or prevent foot problems. 4. During the past six months, what best describes
your horse's diet regarding grass and hay?
(1 pt) 24 hours/day of lush pasture; no hay
(2 pt) 12-24 hours/day of lush pasture with supplemental hay
(3 pt) 6-12 hours/day of lush pasture with supplemental hay
(4 pt) <6 hours lush pasture with supplemental hay
(5 pt) Hay, with or without access to minimal quality pasture
5. During the past six months, what best describes
your horse's diet regarding grain?
(1 pt) > 12 lbs. grain/day
(2 pt) 8-12 lbs. grain/day
(3 pt) 4-8 lbs. grain/day
(4 pt) 2-4 lbs. grain/day
(5 pt) 0-2 lbs. grain/day
6. During the past six months, which of the following
best describes the appearance of your horse?
(1 pt) Very heavy with cresty neck and fat pads
(2 pt) Heavy, with a mildly cresty neck
(3 pt) No cresty neck; cannot see ribs
(4 pt) Might see ribs if the light is right; shiny coat
(5 pt) Can see ribs, but the horse is not thin; shiny coat
Circle one answer for each of the 6 questions.
Please fill in your horse's name here:
Please give the US state of your horse's location or write "Outside USA."
My Horse's Healthy Hoof Test Score is _________
Add together the point values for the six questions. You will get a total between 6 and 30.
