best thing for soft soles? shoes keep coming off due to wt weather:(

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fruity

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Was going to get Keratex hoof hardner but at £30 a small bottle i wondered if there was anything else worth trying? My mares in a very marshy wet field and she has really deep feet that trap the wet and her soles are like sponges,you can press your thumb into her feet,it's awful,she's quite tender on one foot as we have quite flinty land so she must of bruised her sole slightly.I want her to have stronger feet for when we do xc etc otherwise i'm going to have a punctured sole one day if i'm not careful,any ideas?
 
I think it doesn't make a huge difference what you put on them if she is going to remain in damp conditions.

If you do want to buy something I can assure you that Keratex does work - but in your case I would be a little worried about sealing in potential infection, and want to get her really dry for a couple of day before applying it.
 
Keratex may be expensive but it lasts for quite a while and really saves on farriers bills. amazing stuff, well worth it i'm afraid!!
 
Keretex doesn't seal the sole or hoof capsule it replaces water and stops the wet/dry cycle that causes the problems, ie in field(wet) in stable/ride (dry) etc. As it is really diluted formaldehyde (very dilute!!) it should kill off most surface bugs provided the surface is clean and dry. So it will work in either wet or dry conditions provided you use it regularly, every three days it the instructions so i have picked sundays and thursdays so i remember as it is easy to forget when things are going well!! As your mare is field kept I would suggest more regular application to start with and see how you get on.
Where are you buying it for £30!! Mine last for ages and certainly doesn't cost that much!! Shop around, think RRP is £25 so most places about that!!

Pads for soles are ok but in the field they could trap the dampe and bugs, causing you more serious problems.

I hope that all helps, each horse is differant so you will just have to trial and error to see what suits yours. Good Luck!
 
eucalyptus oil works v well and is a good antibac aswell, not expensive and keeps well in the cupboard for ages. should be able to get a bottle from your vet put it on as many times a day as poss.
 
Over reach boots may be a good consideration for a wet turnout as the going gets a litlle sticky the front hooves may not get out of the way of the hind hooves quite as easy.
 
Hi there I have the same problem, Domi was on Keratex for 6 weeks and I do think it has hardened his feet (but I also kept him in a lot during that time) but now the farrier has just fitted pads. Although Im worried about them because of the trapping damp/mud/stones etc ...
 
Asked my farrier and he thinks pads could trap the nasties and she's prone to getting things stuck in her feet anyway so we're thinking to leave them out for now which i agree with him about.I'm just going to probably go and get some Keratex,the tack shops round our way arn't cheap,i may try and see if it's cheaper online,thanks everyone.
 
My tb had terrible feet and soft soles he still has collapsed heels but his hoof quality is excellent esp for the breed.How do you feel about putting him on a hoof supplement that could cure all your problems in long run.Keratex works really well but is sounds as if you need long term improvement.I only lose shoes if he overeaches not because his feet are soft anymore.
 
Pads are great but not for wet fields. My TB often has pads in because he has very flat feet with paper thin soles, however I've had to not have pads for the last three shoeings because they aren't lasting. The mud in the field seems to rot them and pull them out.
Keratex works to some degree with I'm with cellie. I'd put him on a hoof supplement. I highly recommend formula 4 feet. The other thing is, as others have said, are you sure he isn't overreaching?
 
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