Equestrian Knife and Other Tools For Horse Owners

A hoof pick is a basic tool that should be in every horse owner’s barn. It’s designed to pick out all the sand, pebbles and other debris that horses pick up while roaming fields or navigating trails and arenas. This prevents the buildup of debris, which can lead to the development of cracks, splits and other issues that can cause pain for the animal. The pick should be used regularly to clean the hoof, and it’s important that it’s made of high-quality metal for a long life.

Farriers recommend a pick with a smooth, sharp edge for easy use and maximum efficiency, so a good sharpening stone should be kept handy. The knife should also be kept in a safe, dry location so that it can be easily found when needed. Some models come with a clip or ring to allow the user to attach it to a belt or saddlebag for quick access when needed.

In addition to a good hoof pick, owners should include in their barn supplies a few other essential items for hoof care, such as a frog rasp and a nail file. A rasp helps smooth and round the edges of a horse’s hooves and helps reduce the chance that a loose nail will slip out during trimming. A nail file makes it easy to remove any ragged or snaggled edges on a nail, which can be painful for the horse.

Another useful item to have on hand is a free-standing hoof brush, which sweeps away debris from the corners and crevices of a hoof that can’t be reached with a standard pick. These brushes, which are typically composed of stiff synthetic PVC bristles, should be brushed gently over the entire hoof to clean it thoroughly. This will help prevent infection-causing debris from clogging the sole and frog of a hoof, says farrier Neal Baggett.

Other tools that can be helpful for horse owners are a hoof knife, a hammer and a pair of pliers. A hammer is an important tool for farriers to have in the barn for building and repairing shoes, but it’s also handy for any owner who might need to break apart a piece of equipment or shave a rough surface. A pair of pliers can be used to remove nails or wires from horses and to pick out bits of debris that get stuck under the shoe.

One model that combines all these tools is the Rough Rider Equestrian Hoof Pick Trapper, which is sized similarly to traditional slipjoint pocket knives and features a 3.5″ 440 satin finish stainless steel knife blade and a hoof pick with yellow synthetic or white smooth bone handles. The blades have nickel silver bolsters and brass liners.

While it may seem counterintuitive to combine a hoof pick with a pocket knife, the designers behind this model were successful in making an incredibly useful tool that’s easy for horse owners to carry with them on the go. The knife is compact enough to fit in a pocket, and the handle is comfortable for gripping. It can be purchased from the manufacturer for less than $14.