Is Your Horse In Condition For Training?
Normally common sense goes a long way.  Think about yourself...

Do you enjoy learning, concentrating or doing lots of physical effort when you're tired, run down or just came in from an emotionally draining situation?

Well, that's the same case with your horse.  If your horse is tired from other training, has been ridden a while, etc....  or is in bad shape... then he isn't going to respond as well as you would like.

A healthy and vigorous body leads to healthy nerves and his brain will retain much more of what you want to teach him.  If your horse is dull or listless then be sure to warm him up and take the training slowly.  Don't do long periods of training under these situations.  Your efforts will not be rewarded if he's tired and worn out.

And, think about yourself, if someone is trying to teach or show you something....  if they speak kindly and soft to you vs. harshly and threatening you with a whip, wouldn't you react differently?  [Unless, perhaps you are in Marine training!]

Seriously, your horse will respond much better to pleasant, encouraging words with caressing or rub downs rather than harsh, loud words.  Talking harsh, screaming, whipping, etc. just saps the energy from a horse...  just like it would you.

So... if your horse isn't responding to your training or he seems down and dull then you might try talking gently to him, leading him around a little, and let him "warm up" to you some before you do any heavy training.

He'll be much more likely to give you his attention if he's not tired and alert.

Problems Handling your Horses Feet
Common factors influencing the quality of the hoof are genetics, environment, farriery and nutrition. The horse’s hoof is made up of or affected by all components of the equine diet, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Since there is no one nutritional panacea for hoof health, balancing these components (based on the horse’s age and lifestyle) is important for the overall health of the horse and its hooves.

It is also important to review the research that has been conducted on how different nutrients may affect the growth of the hoof. And, to understand how nutrition can help or hinder the hoof, it is essential to understand how the horse digests and absorbs different components of its diet.