People who don’t have to care for hooved animals don’t quite understand the amount of care that has to be used to keep those hooves in good condition. Animal hooves, particularly for horses, require special care to keep them in the best condition possible and to keep the animals moving.

To remind people of this fact, and to make sure that people are making sure that their animals are well cared for, International Hoof Care Week was created. This week starts on the third Tuesday in January and continues to the following Friday. It’s a good week to bring the farrier out to take care of your animal’s hooves, or to take care of them yourself.

The History Of International Hoof Care Week

Although we’re unsure of who invented this holiday, we do know that it’s been observed since at least 2003, and maybe even a little before that, by the American Farriers Journal. It’s been celebrated every year since then, however, with farriers, vets, and farmers coming together to spread the word about this holiday.

Observing International Hoof Care Week

There are a number of ways that people can participate in this holiday. They can take the time to learn about caring for hooves, they can hire the services of a professional farrier for their animals, or they can attend an equine hoof care clinic. People can also use this week to learn about farriers and whether or not they want to become one.

It’s also important for people to let other interested parties know about this week. This includes telling them in person, of course, but it also includes letting people know about it online using the hashtag #InternationalHoofCareWeek. Helping to inform people about this week can help ensure that no animals go without the hoof care services that they desperately need.