Can someone give me a rough idea how a hoof tester is used? i know what they look like but never seen anyone use one.

Hoof testers are used to place pressure on a foot in a controlled and exact manner. Be careful to not squeeze too hard, as any horse can be made to flinch with too much pressure. Start at one heel, and squeeze lightly. (Just enough to see the bar and seat of corn move. ) Then move up about a half inch and squeeze again with the same amount of force. Continue around the hoof in that manner until you reach the opposite heel. You can then go from medial frog to lateral wall and vice-versa for pressure on the navicular region. Be sure to do the sound foot first if possible so that you can determine how the horse will respond to pressure on a good foot. It gives you a comparison for the lame foot.