To oil or not to oil?

DayleAshley

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 April 2012
Messages
91
Location
Medway,Kent
Visit site
Do you oil your horses hooves??? When I was younger it was something I always did but I no longer do it as was told years ago that it is bad for the feet and my farrier likes feet to be left alone as much as possible. But the top of my boys hooves that is hidden under his huge amount of feather is dry and flaky almost. Should I oil them or not? Or is there something else I could put on them to moisturise without my farrier shouting at me?!
 
My old horse got dry feet at top where feather hung over i oiled that when very dry and also had a hoof balm i used sometimes.
My current tb is bare foot i rarely use anything although with all this dry weather and ground i have resorted to oiling them once a fortnight to give some moisture and prevent cracks seems ok so far.
 
My farrier recommends Kevin Bacon hoof dressing. It's the only one he says is any good.

Third vote for Kevin Bacon - really good stuff, it's basically animal fat and seems to keep them moist without stopping water getting in (one of the bad things about old fashioned oil)
I find it lasts a few days and works well on thrushy frogs if used underneath also.
 
Another vote for Kevin bacon, especially for how dry it's suddenly got, my boys feet have got really dry and are getting a bit brittle, so I'm hosing his feet, waiting around 5 minutes then applying Kevin bacon :)
 
Top