Hoof dressings - do they do anything ?

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orangegrace

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I know that hoof health comes from within and is mainly down to the horses diet etc but i wondered if there was any hoof dressings that benefit along side diet etc.

My horse has always had brittle dry feet. They have improved loads now and he is also fed Hoof First supplement which has definitley made a big difference. I was just wondering whether it would be worth purchasing something like Carr and Day and Martin Cornucrescine Hoof Moisturiser or NAF Pro Feet Moisturiser now the weather will be dryer? Will they make a difference or am i better just purchasing an oil for when Im competing ?

thanks in advance :)
 
I think the Kevin bacon hoof dressing makes a massive difference. I use the solid, fatty one rather than the oil. I wet their feet with the hose, then slather it on during summer and winter. This routine has improved the quality of my horses' hooves immensely.
 
I used to use Kevin Bacon hoof dressing, but I then started to feed a good Vit&min supplement (BF diet approved) and stopped using the KB. All of the horses have better quality horn now and the naughty wild mice in the tack room ate the abandoned KB hoof dressing as it's actually mainly made from lard. Mmmmmm yummy! ;)
 
cosmetically, hoof dressings are great! Water on its own will also be good which is why it's good to wet down an area in the field during the dry weather to keep hooves moisturised. All KB does is keep in moisture as dead horn cannot physically absorb fat.

However, if you don't address the quality of new growth, then you will always be applying cosmetics to keep it looking good.

Instead of asking here, why don't you do your own experiment? Hooves will vary depending on what people feed, where they are kept etc etc. and only you can decide what is best for your horses.

New horn takes approx 6months to grow down to the ground from the periopole.
 
Thank you for your feedback. I have used some before and am happy to try others I was just seeing if anyone had used any they really like. I have never tried the kevin bacon before so might try that. X
 
orangegrace said:
Thank you for your feedback. I have used some before and am happy to try others I was just seeing if anyone had used any they really like. I have never tried the kevin bacon before so might try that. X
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Remember also that KB will repel moisture and hooves do take in water to a certain extent. Don't apply to the soles or frog though or you will battling fungal infections forever!
 
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