Hoof Heal or Kevin Bacon Hoof Dressing?

FestiveFuzz

FestiveFuzz

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Hi all,

The mare (cob x) I am taking on loan has a vertical crack developing down the middle of her front hooves and I was wondering whether Hoof Heal or Kevin Bacon Hoof Dressing would be best to treat them with?

She had her shoes taken off about a month ago and the cracks have only appeared since. Aside from the cracks she seems to be coping really well with being barefoot, I just want to prevent the cracks getting worse.

So what should I be buying to help improve the condition of her hooves?
 
GG2B said:
Hi all,

The mare (cob x) I am taking on loan has a vertical crack developing down the middle of her front hooves and I was wondering whether Hoof Heal or Kevin Bacon Hoof Dressing would be best to treat them with?

She had her shoes taken off about a month ago and the cracks have only appeared since. Aside from the cracks she seems to be coping really well with being barefoot, I just want to prevent the cracks getting worse.

So what should I be buying to help improve the condition of her hooves?
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What do the trimmer/vet say? I'm a big fan of inside out management of feet . . . so I'd be looking to improve condition at least partially with diet - what is she being fed?

Hoping Oberon has read this and has some more constructive advice for you.

P
 
Hoof Heal or Kevin Bacon Hoof Dressing?
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Neither, imo ;).

The cracks will be appearing because of a poorly connected hoof wall, which is too weak to bear the weight of the horse. The trick is to grow in a well connected hoof wall. Low sugar and starch plus balanced minerals will help.

Now that the crack is there, you need to keep it bug free or it can become very difficult to grow out. Clean out the cracks regularly with a gentle disinfectant, and apply something like Red Horse Field Paste. If months go by and the crack isn't growing out, I'd recommend cleantrax to give the cracks a jolly good clean out. Also review the diet to make sure there's nothing there which could be weakening the hoof wall connection.

ETA: Things like Kevin Bacon are more likely to make the problem worse, by preventing air getting at the crack.
 
Hi PolarSkye, she's currently on half a cup of high fibre nuts and out on 24/7 restricted turnout. She doesn't officially come to me on loan until September so for now I'm just riding her at the weekends to help the owner out. I'll have to check with her owner whether she's spoken to the vet/trimmer about the cracks.

I'm totally in agreement with the inside out management of her feet but didn't want the owner thinking I was interfering or questioning her management style.
 
My horse has some cracks on her hoof wall due to flaring they look worse than they are according to my EP.

She recommended gentle cleaning and as someone else has suggested Red Horse Field Paste, the past seems to be helping to prevent the crack from continuing up the hoof and has the bonus of smelling lovely in my opinion! lol

As others have said feed is key and perhaps discuss the cause with your farrier/ EP.

Good luck!
 
GG2B said:
Hi PolarSkye, she's currently on half a cup of high fibre nuts and out on 24/7 restricted turnout. She doesn't officially come to me on loan until September so for now I'm just riding her at the weekends to help the owner out. I'll have to check with her owner whether she's spoken to the vet/trimmer about the cracks.

I'm totally in agreement with the inside out management of her feet but didn't want the owner thinking I was interfering or questioning her management style.
Click to expand...

If she is only getting half a cup of nuts she and restricted grazing she probably isn't getting the nutrients she needs to make good quality horn. She would be better off having something like Formula4Feet. It is pellets so can be added to her nuts or even hand fed.
 
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