Recommend hoof hardener?

[Amyree]

I took a 12hh pony on loan last year for my daughter to learn on, he is fab and am hoping this year to get them into pony club etc. He hasn't been shod for quite a few years and has always been fine, but now we are hoping to do more on him this year I don't want to immediately rush to get him shod and was wondering if anyone could recommend a hoof hardener to try?

 

[tallyho!]

I would recommend something like a good hoof supplement like Equimins Hoof Mender. Cut out all starchy foods and switch to oil rich foods like linseed. Better to harden the hoof from the inside than paint something on. People seem to like keratex or Kevin bacon but I have never understood how you can harden dead material such as a hoof? Surely it has to grow strong in the first place?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I'm not a fan of any of the paint on hoof hardeners. I have found that feeding a good vit&min supplement that causes the horse to grow good quality horn works best. Pro balance and pro hoof from ebay are good as is the forage plus range. Also up his workload slowly so that his hooves have time to adjust to their new work level.

 

[misskk88]

A good feed supplement and cornucrescine helped my mares feet a lot. Hers were horrendous when I got her!

 

[Charmin]

Agree with others re feeding but I do have to say Kevin Bacon does seem to make a difference with my mares hooves. Although dead material, I liken using Kevin Bacon to using a good conditioner on your own hair (also dead) and it does seem to help!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Ewwwwww! I don't want to rub lard in my hair! Icky icky! Bluuuugh!

KB is mainly lard and when I gave up using it on my horses hooves, the mice ate it. *insert shocked face*

 

[Slightly Foxed]

My dogs love Kevin Bacon, you can't leave it around, it'd be gone in five mins.

Is it made from bacon??!

 

[wattamus]

I use Effol, I put it on once a day and my horses have no problems with their feet, cheap, lasts ages and really works! Can't recommend it enough

 

[Meowy Catkin]

SF - I don't know, it would be funny if it was.

 

[shannonandtay]

I've been using silver feet, it seems really good but to be honest don't know whether he has just got good feet or it really helps! I always think of the actor when any one mentions Kevin bacon!

 

[Kikke]

I agree hoof health comes from the inside so feet is very important!
Having said that a great secret that endurance riders keep is the old purple pray at the soles of the hoofs. really hardens. But the thing that really works is Formaldehyde. Yep sounds discussing and 99% of people may not have access to it but if you do, it does work like no other!