If winter weather or your competition schedule has you riding less, right now may be the perfect time to strengthen your horse's feet by pulling his shoes for a few months.

On a healthy foot, heel and toe grow from the coronary band to the ground at the same angle; when the angle of the heel is less than that of the toe (making it look flattened out), the heels are considered "underrun."

Do you know what all those lines, divots and discolorations in the soles of your horse's feet mean? Learn how to "read" his hooves.