Keratex hoof repair?

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Has anyone used this?

My geldings hooves are particularly crumbly at the moment which I think is due to the extended wet weather we’ve had as it’s not been a significant issue previously. A nail came out only a couple of days after his last shoeing. As my farrier was away another farrier put another nail in but said he didn’t think he would go his usual 5 weeks.

I was thinking of trying this stuff out as a temporary solution but I don’t know how useful it is or whether it could make the problem worse?

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I guess that’s a no then?

Any other suggestions?

 

[Barton Bounty]

My farrier hates keratex he says they make the hooves more brittle but I have used it with success previously, on a shod horse, apply liberally into the cracks etc on the lower half of the hoof wall. Really get it into the cracks and old nail holes.

 

[paddy555]

I guess that’s a no then?

Any other suggestions?

the last shod horse I bought was exactly like this. I had to exercise him and kept the shoes on. In the end I had to give up. I did try for a couple of years, I didn't give up easily.

I'm afraid the word "repair" is just that. Also BB is right Keratex does make them more brittle. My farrier at the time used a similar epoxy resin.



In the end I had to admit defeat, remove the shoes and start to grow a quality hoof. That solution did work perfectly. At the time there were no hoof boots (this was around 1998) If I was in this situation now I would remove the s hoes, get some decent riding hoof boots and get on with riding.

Also the thing you really want is growth so I would make sure the horse had a good quality supplement, protein, etc etc to get max. growth.

sorry probably not what you want to hear.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

the last shod horse I bought was exactly like this. I had to exercise him and kept the shoes on. In the end I had to give up. I did try for a couple of years, I didn't give up easily.

I'm afraid the word "repair" is just that. Also BB is right Keratex does make them more brittle. My farrier at the time used a similar epoxy resin.



In the end I had to admit defeat, remove the shoes and start to grow a quality hoof. That solution did work perfectly. At the time there were no hoof boots (this was around 1998) If I was in this situation now I would remove the s hoes, get some decent riding hoof boots and get on with riding.

Also the thing you really want is growth so I would make sure the horse had a good quality supplement, protein, etc etc to get max. growth.

sorry probably not what you want to hear.

No it’s fine I realise it’s a longer term issue to solve completely which has only been a problem this year but don’t know why except for the exceptional wet weather. I do a lot of different stuff with him especially over summer. Shoes stayed on during camp and I was hoping to show him this weekend.

Do you have any recommendations for supplements to improve feet?

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

My farrier hates keratex he says they make the hooves more brittle but I have used it with success previously, on a shod horse, apply liberally into the cracks etc on the lower half of the hoof wall. Really get it into the cracks and old nail holes.

I have been using the Keratex hardener this last week and so far so good. My farrier has recommended it before when his soles were a bit soft. We have very flinty ground here and even the natives struggle to go completely barefoot.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I believe in what goes in comes out. So what I feed gives BB really strong good feet, they are just very flat

 

[ChipsChaps]

I believe in what goes in comes out. So what I feed gives BB really strong good feet, they are just very flat

This is really important, but it takes about 9 months for new growth to come from top to bottom. My farrier recommended Keratex Hoof Hardener for my lad when he decided that not a single shoe would stay on while we lived on a particularly boggy mountainside - somehow the hills never drained! I was militant about daily application for two weeks, soles and walls avoiding the coronet band, and then two to three times a week after work for a few months. That held him together enough for fronts and a house move. Better (dryer) land and that 9 month time frame made a huge difference, he's now got a set on front and back! Now that we've finished the Keratex (partially because the bottle got spilt into our bed ) I pop on the PlusVital Hoofcare paste (?) after work, again farrier recommended, and he's been golden for three shoeing cycles now

I will say, the Keratex Hardener has some smell! It's also very drying to the skin, so I avoided the frogs entirely and also used gloves for application.

 

[paddy555]

No it’s fine I realise it’s a longer term issue to solve completely which has only been a problem this year but don’t know why except for the exceptional wet weather. I do a lot of different stuff with him especially over summer. Shoes stayed on during camp and I was hoping to show him this weekend.

Do you have any recommendations for supplements to improve feet?

I use equimins advance complete. I find they grow well on that.
Others use FB supplements or Progressive earth ones.

I have been using the Keratex hardener this last week and so far so good. My farrier has recommended it before when his soles were a bit soft. We have very flinty ground here and even the natives struggle to go completely barefoot.

I would imagine on that ground that either renegades or gloves would work very well. They have the thickest most protective sold. As someone said above it will take at least 9 months for the hoof quality to improve with supplementation.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Has anyone used this?

My geldings hooves are particularly crumbly at the moment which I think is due to the extended wet weather we’ve had as it’s not been a significant issue previously. A nail came out only a couple of days after his last shoeing. As my farrier was away another farrier put another nail in but said he didn’t think he would go his usual 5 weeks.

I was thinking of trying this stuff out as a temporary solution but I don’t know how useful it is or whether it could make the problem worse?

keratex hoof hardener is great

don't know about the hoof repair, but for damaged feet I use Equimins Hoof mender https://www.equimins-online.com/en/all-products/65-equimins-hoof-mender-75-supplement-pellets.html

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

When I took my mares shoes off she was on equimins advance complete and they grew really nicely. I did try the keratex but was a bit too drying for my liking, but we didn't really have wet fields. If you're struggling with the wet the hoof gel by keratex is good as it repels water so hooves stay dry.

I wouldn't use it for too long though because I think hooves do need a good soaking every now and then, one of those things where there is a fine balance!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I tried the Equimins Complete before and neither of my horses would eat it at even half the recommended dose. I ended up just putting a teeny tiny amount in until it was all gone. I’ve used pro Earth before which was ok so will go back to that. I think I stopped when they had some supply issues.

I’m currently using the Keratex hardener just on soles and the lower part of hoof around the nail holes. It seems to be holding at the moment. Doesn’t help that he is a serial hoof scraper and door banger!