Does Keratex Hoof Hardener actually work and how fast did it take for you to notice results?

[HiddlesKenway]

So, I’m wondering if the Keratex hoof hardener works well and how fast it actually takes to work?

For background, the horse I am using it on has previously had laminitis in his younger years before I had him. Which I only recently found out (which explains why we’ve had feet issues for the last six years I’ve owned him almost.) this has been vital information just because it’s made decisions towards his feet a lot less complicated as before we just couldn’t understand why he was struggling so bad. He does have white line disease but it’s very minor and is regularly opened up and kept under control. He’s got thin, soft soles which is likely why we just cannot for the life of us get rid of the WLD, he is not shod because he’s sound on soft ground majority of the time and we want to avoid the WLD getting worse. Though, we have discussed this if we don’t have another choice and couldn’t keep him paddock sound. However, sometimes after a trim he’ll be practically crippled from tender toes for up to three days afterwards and he will come good again, he’s also back in work because for the last few years due to his tender soles he’s not been ridden as he wouldn’t even walk without much coaxing. This is actually an improvement because previously he would be sore for up to four weeks after a trim. Again we opted not to shoe him during this time as he was sound enough in the paddock and I thought his behaviour under saddle was him lacking any work ethic (lol, guess I was wrong cause now he’s happily jumping...) which now I feel guilty over but we can’t change the past, and now I know better.

He’s been on the same hoof supplement for up to a year now and that has made a massive difference. He was started on a simple biotin + calcium supplement for a solid six months before the current supplement that he’s been on throughout 2020 (Ranvet Hoof Food). The first one hardened up his hoof wall and produced healthier horn growth but I switched the supplement to a more rounded one that also contained other vital minerals and vitamins for healthy hoof growth which had made an even bigger difference. He’s been perfectly fine after most of his trims this year but the recent one came up two weeks ago and he was absolutely miserable for three days afterwards. I was ready to contact my farrier and demand we shoe him but opted to wait it out and see if he would improve on his own. We knew the day he was trimmed that he was especially tender as he wasn’t happy about it, so we discussed potentially using a hoof hardening product or trying boots. It’s been a lot wetter than usual for longer then usual and we suspect this has caused his feet to be much softer and with his already thin soles he just didn’t cope after this recent trim, however he was perfectly fine after those three days. I’ve still decided that I hate seeing him like that after him being so good for almost an entire year without tenderness on anything but rocks, so I wanted to try a hardener and see if it makes a difference at all for him.

So, my question is does it actually work? I’ve used it on him today already and how long did it take to work on your horse and how bad where they? Were they slightly tender on the rocky ground or were they barely comfortable on soft grass when you tried it?

 

[TheSpottyCobby]

I was about to post a similar thread. My pony is barefoot and is struggling a bit at the moment with how wet it’s been. I’ve used the hoof hardner but haven’t actually noticed an improvement ?

 

[HiddlesKenway]

I was about to post a similar thread. My pony is barefoot and is struggling a bit at the moment with how wet it’s been. I’ve used the hoof hardner but haven’t actually noticed an improvement ?

I’ve only used it once so far, which was today. I’m not actually in the UK. I’m Australian so it’s summer here but it’s been wet still. ? How often have you been using it, out of curiosity? Have you tried any barrier type products?

 

[TheSpottyCobby]

I’ve only used it once so far, which was today. I’m not actually in the UK. I’m Australian so it’s summer here but it’s been wet still. ? How often have you been using it, out of curiosity? Have you tried any barrier type products?

I used it last winter but sadly a series of unfortunate events meant his feet got worse... he ended up tying up (thats a whole different story). I’m trying to prevent the same happening this year but it’s just so wet. Was very footy on a hack yesterday on the paths we have. I’ve been using it since the end of October and saw a bit of an improvement at the start pretty quickly but think it’s now too wet for any improvement at all

 

[HiddlesKenway]

I used it last winter but sadly a series of unfortunate events meant his feet got worse... he ended up tying up (thats a whole different story). I’m trying to prevent the same happening this year but it’s just so wet. Was very footy on a hack yesterday on the paths we have. I’ve been using it since the end of October and saw a bit of an improvement at the start pretty quickly but think it’s now too wet for any improvement at all

Maybe try a barrier product like Venice Turpentine, or the Keratex Hoof gel for now? Might help whilst it’s wet since they’re designed for repelling moisture? I don’t know if they work since I haven’t used them myself but might be worth a shot?

Since it is summer here at the moment, I’ll try keep this thread updated on how my guy improves. Because it could be just too wet to do it’s job properly for you at the moment. I’ve heard a lot about how it works very well but I suppose every horse is different and living in differing conditions that can impact effectiveness.

 

[TheSpottyCobby]

Maybe try a barrier product like Venice Turpentine, or the Keratex Hoof gel for now? Might help whilst it’s wet since they’re designed for repelling moisture? I don’t know if they work since I haven’t used them myself but might be worth a shot?

Since it is summer here at the moment, I’ll try keep this thread updated on how my guy improves. Because it could be just too wet to do it’s job properly for you at the moment. I’ve heard a lot about how it works very well but I suppose every horse is different and living in differing conditions that can impact effectiveness.

Good shout on the hoof gel, probably worth a try ??‍ I hope the hoof harder helps yours. I bought it on recommendations so I’m sure it will work for some

 

[HiddlesKenway]

Good shout on the hoof gel, probably worth a try ??‍ I hope the hoof harder helps yours. I bought it on recommendations so I’m sure it will work for some

I was recommended formalin and I was a bit sketched out trying that so I thought I would track down an a hoof product that had something along the lines in it. So I did a lot of research on different products and things people have used in the past. Though it’s really hard to get a lot of the products here in Australia.

I don’t see why it wouldn’t work due to the scientific basis behind it.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Try Hoof Armour if you can get it. The foot needs to be perfectly dry and clean and the instructions need to be followed properly to get the best from it. It lasts for up to 6 weeks before having to be reapplied.

 

[meleeka]

I’ve used it and I’d say results were seen after a couple of weeks of using it daily. Pony has a history of laminitis and the wet ground just made her soles softer. She was stabled at night so I applied it then each day.

 

[HiddlesKenway]

I’ve used it and I’d say results were seen after a couple of weeks of using it daily. Pony has a history of laminitis and the wet ground just made her soles softer. She was stabled at night so I applied it then each day.

So, you definitely had an improvement with it. That’s good to hear, I wouldn’t say my guy it’s particularly bad at the moment so hopefully it makes a difference by his next trim!

 

[ycbm]

It's 8% formaldehyde. It works at making horn, sole and frog harder. Just buy formaldehyde and water it down, you'll get 200 times the volume for the same price.

 

[AUB]

I was very happy with it for my old mare, and the farrier also noticed a difference. It’s been a few years, so can’t remember how long it took to see a difference, but I don’t think it was more than 6 weeks.

 

[Bionic Boy]

I've used it and would highly recommend. Took a couple of weeks to notice the difference.

 

[super_cheval]

I have used it on my boy and yes I would totally recommend it, I started seeing a difference after a few applications. He used to throw shoes all the time, didn't throw them after the treatment.
Would 100% recommend and use again.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

You can also use iodine and eucalyptus oil mixed and applied across the nail holes and sole of the foot. It has a hardening antibacterial effect and prevents thrush as well as hardening the foot.