What can be detrimental to a horse's feet if not cared for properly?

The health of a horse's feet is crucial to its overall well-being and performance. When hooves are not properly cared for, they can suffer from increased hoof cracks and injuries. This can result from a variety of factors, such as irregular trimming, not managing diet appropriately, or neglecting to address environmental conditions like wet and muddy terrain.

Horses with improper hoof care may experience issues like thrush, abscesses, and cracks that can lead to pain, lameness, or long-term damage. These problems not only impact the horse's comfort but can also affect its movement, training, and competition capabilities. Ensuring that the hooves are regularly trimmed, maintained, and cared for helps prevent such detrimental issues and promotes healthy, strong hooves that can withstand the horse's activities.

Other factors, such as a weak top line or sore back muscles, may be related to general health and well-being but do not specifically pertain to foot care. The growth of a longer coat is largely an environmental or seasonal issue and does not have a direct impact on the health of the hooves. Therefore, maintaining hoof health is the most pertinent concern regarding care and potential detriments.