Is there an alternative to Keratex hoof hardener

[poiuytrewq]

As title really? Is there a product that’s a bit cheaper but that actually works to help harden soft soles?

Doesn’t appear to be diet related particularly, as the horse was on a completely foot friendly diet for two years with no real change. Admittedly he’s now not so, as he started dropping off over winter and I started using conditioning nuts which contain god only knows what but his feet are not better or worse for that (yet anyway)
As per usual the hardening of the ground is making him sore and I wondered if something topical may help.
I’ve used Hoof armour in the past but didn’t really see much difference.
He’s a retired TB flat thin soles but surprisingly decent hoof walls, they don’t crack, break or flare. Soles are not as flat as they used to be but still not ideal.
Any suggestions?

 

[Birker2020]

Iodine and sugar. Sugardine. Used it years ago.

I'm struggling with Lari too P. About every ten days he goes footsore. I think it's if he stands on a flinty stone. I try and sweep the stones of the dirt track at the side of the path but that doesn't last long with the traffic of passing horses being turned out/brought in.

I bought a load of 'vet wrap' type bandages from Poundland for £1 each and some silicone dish scrubbers and padded his foot for a couple of days.

I also bought a pack of three dish sponges for £1.65 simillar to the photos and used those. I leave on from around 6pm to 6pm the next night. I've started putting a bit of Keratex talc around his heel area to prevent rubbing of the bandages.

Only need to do it for a day or two and he's great for another 10-14 days.

 

[HeresHoping]

Iodine. Spray it on.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Keratex hoof hardener as recommended to me by my vet has been a literal life saver for my 24yo thin soled Cushing’s mare. Apply daily for a week then two or three times a week. It transformed her.

It works out more economical if you buy the 1 litre size which has lasted over a year for me - a little goes a long way. £81.46p.

Keratex Hoof Hardener for Horses

Keratex Hoof Hardener is available online with fast delivery from VioVet, the trusted supplier of veterinary medication, foods and animal care products.

www.viovet.co.uk

Why mess about with cheaper alternatives?

 

[Birker2020]

Keratex hoof hardener as recommended to me by my vet has been a literal life saver for my 24yo thin soled Cushing’s mare. Apply daily for a week then two or three times a week. It transformed her.

It works out more economical if you buy the 1 litre size which has lasted over a year for me - a little goes a long way. £81.46p.

Keratex Hoof Hardener for Horses

Keratex Hoof Hardener is available online with fast delivery from VioVet, the trusted supplier of veterinary medication, foods and animal care products.

www.viovet.co.uk

Why mess about with cheaper alternatives?

Because people on the forum were a little objectionable when I said I was using it on my horses feet. I seem to remember it was the formaldehyde in it that people said was bad for feet.

These quotes weren't on my post BTW.

I have used Keratex for years.

 

[I'm Dun]

Because people on the forum were in uproar when I said I was using it on my horses feet. I seem to remember it was the formaldehyde in it that people said was bad for feet.

this post isnt about you or the use of it, its a request for cheaper alternatives.

 

[Birker2020]

this post isnt about you or the use of it, its a request for cheaper alternatives.

I wasn't saying it was about me, I was responding to Tiddlypom asking why people won't use Keratex or in her words 'why mess with cheaper alternatives'?

Stop trying to stir please. Thank you.

 

[ihatework]

I wasn't saying it was about me, I was responding to Tiddlypom asking why people won't use Keratex or in her words 'why mess with cheaper alternatives'?

Stop trying to stir please. Thank you.

TBF to I’m Dun, your initial reply on #5 was all about you. But then heavily revised and edited to be a more appropriate response.

 

[Birker2020]

TBF to I’m Dun, your initial reply on #5 was all about you. But then heavily revised and edited to be a more appropriate response.

I'm trying to help the OP not engage in petty arguments with objectionable antagonists.

 

[mini-eventer]

I used formaldehyde as the cheaper alternative. I use it carefully and not all the time. Also aqueous cream as hoof moist

 

[Beausmate]

I've had good results with Red Horse's Stronghorn.

 

[Northern Hare]

NAF Rock Hard is a bit cheaper than Keratex.

ETA. I also used straight formaldehyde - the vet recommended and supplied it, but that was years ago. I think a lot more is now known and understood about potential side effects, so it needs to be used with great care, as per @mini-eventer above.

 

[ycbm]

Turpentine will also work and smells gorgeous

 

[criso]

I've used red horse stronghorn and leovet hoof hardener successfully. Not sure how they compare price wise though.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Whilst I’m a big fan of most Red Horse products, I found Stronghorn to be both ineffective and very expensive.

For the 24yo Cushing’s mare referred to above, in addition to Keratex Hoof Hardener I routinely use Red Horse Sole Cleanse, Field Paste and Hoof Stuff as necessary. She’s prone to getting thrush as well as soft soles if I let the hoof care protocol lapse, but she keeps in good order as long as I don’t drop my guard.

Although I’d heard of Keratex I hadn’t considered using it until my vet suggested that I did. Glad that I took up her advice on that. You do need to apply it strictly to the soles and lower half of the hoof wall - keep it away from the frog, heel bulbs and coronet band, and don’t let it run down into the collateral grooves.

 

[Birker2020]

You do need to apply it strictly to the soles and lower half of the hoof wall - keep it away from the frog, heel bulbs and coronet band, and don’t let it run down into the collateral grooves.

I didn't know about the CG, thanks for the info.

 

[McGrools]

Sugar and iodine. I’ve just used it once on 2 different tb abscess holes and the soles have hardened right up as a result.

 

[Birker2020]

I bought Keratex this afternoon - £30!!!!

 

[Beausmate]

I bought Keratex this afternoon - £30!!!!

Maybe that's one of the reasons OP is looking for an alternative?

 

[MuddyMonster]

I swear by Red Horse Strong Horn. Last paid £22 in December and still on the same bottle. It's brilliant & makes a real difference in my experience.

 

[SO1]

I use the Rock Hard for Bertie and it seems good. You don't need to put it on every day.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks all. I’m happy to pay the £30 or whatever as I do know it works really well
I just wondered having not used it in years if there was now an alternative.
Too many horses and all that. Every little helps. U think I’ll just order a bottle and be happy I’m not being done over!
It’s one of those things!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sugar and iodine. I’ve just used it once on 2 different tb abscess holes and the soles have hardened right up as a result.

Out of interest how do you do this? What is the mix?

 

[Birker2020]

Out of interest how do you do this? What is the mix?

Porridge like consistency I was told.

 

[Birker2020]

Maybe that's one of the reasons OP is looking for an alternative?

Which is why in my first sentence in the first reply I suggested sugardine and then went on to explain how I made my horse more comfortable with relatively simple and cheap products that work a dream which will be helpful to anyone else in my situation.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

It is expensive but I think you will be hard pressed to find something as good. It's been a life saver for me!!

 

[Carrottom]

My vet recommended painting on eucalyptus oil. I seem to remember I thought it helped.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Shop around for the Keratex. Naylors were £30 for 250ml when nearby Wynnstay had it for £25.

Buying the 1 litre bottle at just over £80 is defo worth it if you are going to use it long term.

ETA Keratex Hoof Hardener will rot the frogs if it comes into contact with them, which is which why you should avoid brushing it deep into the collateral grooves. Thin regular coatings applied carefully are all that is needed. Wear gloves yourself!

 

[ycbm]

It is expensive but I think you will be hard pressed to find something as good. It's been a life saver for me!!

I've always found formaldehyde works just as well.
.

 

[mini-eventer]

I've always found formaldehyde works just as well.
.

Me too it's basically the same stuff