Cold Weather Hoof Care to Keep Horses & Livestock Healthy All Winter

While the same weather patterns affect all hooves, cloven-hoofed animals (like goats, sheep, and cattle) require slightly different management during winter.

Daily & Weekly Hoof Care Routine for Livestock

A few minutes of observation and upkeep each day helps keep goats, sheep, and cattle steady on their feet all winter.

1. Inspect animals daily.

Watch your herd as they move around during feeding or turnout. A limp, short stride, or reluctance to walk can signal early hoof pain or infection.

If an animal seems off, check between the claws for packed mud, manure, or small stones that may have lodged in the cleft.

2. Keep pens clean and dry.

Wet bedding and manure buildup are major causes of foot scald and rot. Clean high-traffic areas daily and add fresh, dry bedding as needed.

Pay special attention near feeders and water troughs, where hooves often stay wet the longest.

3. Trim hooves regularly.

Even in cold weather, hooves continue to grow. Trimming keeps claws balanced and prevents overgrowth that can trap moisture or cause animals to walk unevenly.

Schedule trims every 8–12 weeks, or more frequently if the ground remains soft and muddy.

4. Use foot baths to prevent infection.

Run animals through a zinc sulfate or copper sulfate bath on a weekly or biweekly basis to kill bacteria and toughen the hoof surface.

Dry feet thoroughly afterward and replace the foot bath solution regularly for best results.

5. Maintain solid, dry footing.

Add gravel, sand, or mats in gateways and around feeding areas to improve drainage.

Rotating pens during wet weather helps prevent mud buildup and gives hooves time to dry out.

Common Winter Problems for Livestock (and Prevention Tips)

Foot Scald / Foot Rot

Constant moisture and muddy conditions soften the tissue between the claws, allowing bacteria to invade. Foot scald can quickly develop into foot rot if left untreated, resulting in lameness and pain.

Prevention: Regularly trim hooves to remove excess growth, provide dry bedding, and use foot baths containing zinc sulfate or copper sulfate to reduce bacterial buildup.

Sole Bruising and Overgrowth

Frozen, uneven ground can cause pressure points and pain in untrimmed hooves.

Prevention: Maintain regular trimming every 8–12 weeks and provide firm, dry footing to reduce stress.

Nutrition for Strong, Healthy Hooves

Strong hooves start from the inside out, and winter is the perfect time to double-check that your animals are getting everything they need.

• Biotin, methionine, zinc, and copper are the foundation of healthy hoof walls. These nutrients work together to strengthen horn structure and support new growth. You might notice brittle walls, cracking, or slow healing after trims if your horse or animal isn’t getting enough. Supplementing with quality hoof care products (like Horse Guard or MannaPro) fills in the gaps, especially for horses or livestock with brittle or slow-growing hooves.

• Omega fatty acids help maintain hoof moisture and flexibility. Dry winter air and frozen ground can make hooves brittle, but good fat sources (such as flaxseed, rice bran, or omega-rich supplements) balance internal hydration and promote a natural shine.

• Protein quality matters too. Keratin (the primary building block of hooves) relies on amino acids from high-quality protein. Horses and livestock need consistent access to protein-rich forages or feeds, even during the off-season.

• For goats, sheep, and cattle, look for targeted mineral mixes, such as Purina Wind and Rain Mineral, which deliver the right trace minerals for tough, balanced hooves year-round.

Experts at Horse Guard note that it can take 8 to 16 months for a new hoof wall to fully grow in. Consistent supplementation helps build stronger, longer-lasting hooves from the inside out, so stay patient with the process.

For more tips on nutrition-based hoof care, see Wilco’s Feeding for Hoof Health guide.

Moisture Management

Winter weather tends to swing between soaking wet and bone dry, and hooves react to both extremes. Managing that moisture balance is a key part of winter hoof care.

Too wet, and the hoof softens, making it easier for bacteria and fungi to take hold. Constant exposure to mud or manure breaks down the hoof wall and sole, leaving horses and livestock vulnerable to hoof diseases.

Too dry, and the hoof loses its natural elasticity. When animals spend more time indoors, low humidity and bedding dust draw moisture out of the hoof, causing cracks and brittleness that worsen with every freeze–thaw cycle.

Here’s how to find the right balance:

• Use topical hoof dressings sparingly. A light coating of conditioner helps lock in moisture, but too much traps bacteria.

• Keep stalls dry with moisture-wicking bedding. Wood pellets or shavings help absorb wetness and keep the hoof surface clean. Avoid standing water or damp mats that soften the hoof over time.

• Apply sealants only to clean, dry hooves. Sealants protect against external moisture, but if applied to dirty or damp hooves, they trap bacteria instead of blocking it.