Buy local, buy what your horse actually needs
Good hoof care does not require a cart full of products. Most horse owners need a sturdy hoof pick, a firm brush and a few carefully chosen items matched to the horse. Whenever possible, start with a nearby tack shop, feed store or farrier supplier. You can ask questions, compare products in person and keep your money in Ontario’s horse community.
The links on this page go directly to the shops themselves. Hoof Care 101 does not receive a commission from them.
The hoof-care products worth keeping on hand
1. Hoof pick and stiff brush
This is the true everyday essential. Pick out each hoof regularly and use the brush to clear packed dirt from the sole and frog so you can see what is happening. Choose a pick that feels secure in your hand and is sturdy enough for packed Ontario clay and winter footing. Keeping one at the barn and another in the trailer is often more useful than buying a fancy grooming set.
2. Thrush and frog-care products
A treatment can be useful when there is a specific problem, but it should not replace cleaning, dry standing areas and regular farrier care. Ask your farrier which type suits the condition before reaching for the strongest bottle on the shelf. Deep central-sulcus cracks, persistent odour, discharge or tenderness deserve professional attention rather than repeated trial-and-error treatment.
3. Hoof dressings and conditioners
Not every dry-looking hoof needs oil, and no dressing can overcome an unsuitable trim cycle, constantly wet footing or an unbalanced diet. If your farrier recommends a conditioner, buy a product intended for that particular job and follow the label. Avoid choosing by shine or smell alone.
4. Hoof boots
Boots can provide temporary protection for a barefoot horse, trail work or some rehabilitation plans, but fit matters far more than the logo on the boot. Measure a freshly trimmed hoof and discuss the intended use with your farrier or an experienced boot fitter. An ill-fitting boot can twist, rub or come off at the worst time, so this is one purchase worth making through a knowledgeable shop.
5. Hoof supplements
Hoof quality begins with the whole diet. Before adding biotin, zinc or another supplement, review the horse’s forage, feed and mineral program with a veterinarian or qualified equine nutrition professional. Hooves grow slowly, so genuine changes take time. Adding several overlapping products can cost more without fixing the real deficiency.
6. Farrier tools
Nippers, hoof knives and rasps are skilled tools, not a general owner starter kit. Used incorrectly, they can change hoof balance or injure the horse and handler. Leave trimming and shoe removal to a trained farrier unless you have been personally taught how to handle a genuine emergency. For day-to-day care, a good pick, brush, flashlight and clean workspace are enough.
A sensible owner’s starter kit
Keep it simple: a sturdy hoof pick, firm brush, gloves, a bright flashlight and your farrier’s number. A clean towel and basic hoof-wrapping supplies can also be useful when your veterinarian or farrier talks you through an emergency wrap. Product choice should follow the problem—not the other way around.
Where to buy hoof-care products locally in Ontario
For readers in the Durham, Hanover, Owen Sound, Orangeville and Barrie area, these are useful places to start. Inventory and hours change, so call ahead if you need a specific brand, boot size or farrier item.
Professional Farrier Supply
Mono, just east of Orangeville. This is the specialist choice for horseshoes, professional farrier tools and hoof-care products. It is especially useful when you need something more specific than a general tack shop carries.
Britt’s Corner Tack
Arthur. A nearby independent tack shop with a physical storefront, grooming supplies and general horse-care essentials. It is a convenient local stop for many owners south of the Durham and Hanover area.
The Horse Habit
West Kemble, near Owen Sound. An independent local shop for horse equipment and stable needs, with staff who encourage customers to call and ask questions. A practical option for Grey-Bruce horse owners who want to shop in person.
Horse & Hound Tack Shop
Barrie. A Canadian family-run shop with leg and hoof-care products, tools, feed and supplements. It is a useful eastern option when you are already travelling toward Barrie or Simcoe County.
Greenhawk Equestrian Sport
Multiple Ontario locations. Greenhawk carries everyday picks and brushes as well as hoof treatments, dressings, boots, supplements and some farrier equipment. Use the linked store locator to find the closest shop and call ahead if you need a particular product or size.
A local feed mill or farm-supply store may also carry everyday hoof products and can often order a specific item for you.
How to buy the right product the first time
Ask before you drive. Call the shop with the product name, size and intended use. For a hoof boot, take fresh measurements and clear photos after the trim. For a treatment, describe the condition to your farrier rather than simply asking for “something for bad feet.”
Check the label. Look at the active ingredients, directions, warnings and expiry date. More aggressive is not automatically better, and combining treatments can irritate healthy tissue or make the original problem harder to assess.
Spend on fit and advice. A correctly fitted, appropriate product from a knowledgeable local supplier is usually better value than a cheaper item that cannot be returned, does not fit or was never suited to the horse.
When a product is not enough
Sudden lameness, unusual heat, a strong digital pulse, swelling, a puncture, a loose shoe or a crack that reaches sensitive tissue needs a call to your farrier or veterinarian. A bottle from the tack shop should never delay proper diagnosis and care.