should you put conditioner on your horses feet everyday?

No and nothing :)

They need to be able to breathe which they cant do covered in gunk. Very similar to skin breaking out cos we cover it with cosmetics.

Hoof health comes from diet>environment>trim or
diet> farrier/shoes>environment
 
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I'm not one for believing anything you put on them, does much, unless it's moisture you need during really dry months etc.

Never put anything, on any of mine in the 10 or so years in total between them....other than hoof black on the TB if we show.
 
My fingernails have been lovely since I started rubbing cornucrescine into them regularly. :D

Hooves don't have lungs, they don't need to breath and benefit from some conditioning. Just make sure they are clean and dry first.

Tiger - it you don't moisturise and sunblock your skin, you're going to look like a prune by the time you are my age.

Paula
 
I agree with tallyho, good diet is what you need. I use a bit off silverfeet around his frogs to help thrush but would never cover with gunk everyday.
 
Paulag said:
Tiger - it you don't moisturise and sunblock your skin, you're going to look like a prune by the time you are my age.
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I don't moisturise or sun block my finger or toe nails, and somehow they stay shiny and strong :)

I don't put anything on the outside of the hooves, but I have noticed a dramatic improvement in the smoothness and waterproofness of the outer layer of horn since feeding micronised linseed :)
 
my farrier was saying today i should grease my boys feet more, apparently coming in from the wet field and standing in the dry shavings causes the feet to expand and contract, resulting in splits. planning on ordering some grease on payday..
 
It depends on your view on hooves.

Traditional views from the farrier world (reference Hickman's Farriery and the WCF website) is that climate is important to hooves. Wet weather (such as our climate) means hooves are weak and too wet. Dry weather means the hoof is too hard and therefore will crack.

The impression from the WCF website is that it is rarely possible to have an unshod working horse in the northern hemisphere due to our high rainfall......

Kevin Bacon lotion appears to be the answer given for both too wet and too dry conditions.

I've heard the idea that going from wet to dry causes expansion and contraction to the hoof and cause it to split. In over 20 years of horse ownership (living in the North of England) I have never seen any firm evidence of this - nor any research to prove it.....

The Barefoot Taliban believes that a healthy, well nourished, hoof will be largely resistant to both dry and wet conditions and requires no topical treatments other than natural access to water (in dry climates) and occasional thrush treatments when needed.

I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle (in light of the Hampson/Pollitt Brumby study) where we can appreciate that climate DOES affect hooves - but that these changes are part of nature and not a failing.

My answer is to save the money on lotions, potions and greases and spend it on making sure the diet is as good as you can get it :).
 
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I don't use anything on my horses hooves, never had a problem with them touch wood. I would agree that diet is obviously important to their condition. If I thought there was a problem I would ask the farrier and follow advice, other than that I spend my pennies on other things!
 
The two main brands contain formaldehyde not something I'd want near my horse.

In my earlier post I was meaning harsh chemicals found in many generic skin care products, I use a natural SPF everyday thanks for your concern Paula.
 
Paulag said:
My fingernails have been lovely since I started rubbing cornucrescine into them regularly. :D

Hooves don't have lungs, they don't need to breath and benefit from some conditioning. Just make sure they are clean and dry first.

Tiger - it you don't moisturise and sunblock your skin, you're going to look like a prune by the time you are my age.

Paula
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Really?

I have hardly ever moisturised or used sunblock and in my fifties look like this:

2008.jpg
 
I do. I brush his hooves dry and clean and I cycle between Effol hoof conditioner and Cornucrescine. I also feed Biotin and limeflour. My horse injured his coronet band and has a crack which I'm trying to get to grow out, but unfortunately I live in an area with very acidic soils and constant wet, and its not helping, in fact this "summer" he has developed a bit of seedy toe living out despite my efforts. I think the next stage will be heart bar shoes for his hoof crack as I really don't want it developing into a serious problem.

This however is a warmblood that was raised on alkaline, limey soils. He is prone to mud fever too though a supplement keeps it at bay.My Irish bred horse has had his shoes off to rest and has perfect, hard, healthy feet with no additions or supplements. He never gets mud fever.
 
I was told Cornucrescine contains formaldyhide and shouldn't be used on a regular basis. In the 1970s we used to paste all sorts onto our horses' hooves but it seems now the thinking is to avoid harsh chemicals and lashings of grease on an already healthy hoof.
 
FionaM12 said:
Really?

I have hardly ever moisturised or used sunblock and in my fifties look like this:

2008.jpg
Click to expand...

Gorgeous girl Fiona! And very true... my sister is a model in malaysia and is 30. Throughout her her career, even though she and her friends advertise, creams, lotions and potions, very rarely apply the stuff. They all believe in hot water, followed by cold. Mind you, the water there is much nicer than it is here... :rolleyes:
 
I use Kevin Bacon hoof dressing every day and Fred's farrier has commented on how strong and good his feet are 'for a TB', I also feed Pure Feeds. When he was in racing his trainer never put anything on his feet unless he was racing (I was his 'lad' so I know this) and he still had good feet then so I'm not sure either way. A friend feeds jelly to her unshod horse.
 
Totally off the topic, but on the moisturising skin.

I work in care and go to a lady who is 97, marvelous lady and honestly could pass for 60. she has the loveliest skin and I just had to ask what she used, she told me she had never used soap and never worn lotions or make up :p just hot water.

well it worked for her!

On the hooves, since Bud has been a field where they have to enter the stream to have a drink his feet have never been better! So obviously a good generous soak a few times a day is the trick :D
 
My boy's feet went really brittle and weak after all of the wet weather we had over the summer. I can finally say that they are looking fantastic - I tried many products and I have found that the combination that works best for my boy is feeding him Farrier's Formula and applying NAF Hoof Rub to both the outside and the soles of his feet about 4 times per week.
 
If you change two things at once e.g Foot Formula & BRAND Hoof Rub... how do you know which one had the best effect?
 
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