White Hooves

[jinxy]

My horse has four white feet and I have found that over summer they tend to get brittle (?) and break away so obviously he doesnt keep his shoes on very well. It is a nightmare that the few chances I get the opportunity to go and compete he has loose shoes or has lost one.

Please can anyone suggest a hoof moisturiser/supplement to keep my boys feet intact!

Also has anyone else found that their horses need shoeing more often, mine has only gone 5 weeks and needs doing again normally goes 7?

Thank you

 

[Nats_uk]

My horse has two white hind feet and he gets quite badly cracked hooves if I am not careful.

I use Naf Hoof Moist Cream (http://www.ingatestonesaddlery.co.uk/Horse/Horse-Care/Hoof-Care/NAF-Hoof-Moist-Cream-100562.aspx) twice a day and it helps stop cracking.

I also recommend Absorbine Hooflex (http://www.ingatestonesaddlery.co.uk/Horse/Horse-Care/Hoof-Care/Absorbine-Hooflex-101062.aspx) as an alternative to hoof oil if you do showing or dressage as it acts as a hoof moist but looks like hoof oil.

I have also been told Effol Hoof Ointment is good.

 

[bumblelion]

Effol hoof ointment is amazing, really strengthens hooves, also cornucresine intensive hoof moisturiser is really good too but three times the price!!

 

[peanut]

Another vote for Effol.

My horse has one white hoof and I haven't found it wears any different to the others.

 

[pedilia]

Three of mine have white hooves and they are the ones that are barefoot, so I think the thing about white hoofs is a bit of a myth tbh.

 

[KatB]

The white foot think is a myth that came about because you can see damage more on a white foot than a blck one

Kevin bacon is the best stuff, and the only stuff any of my farriers has ever recommended. Oakwood hoof moisturiser works very well too

Mine goes 5 weeks between shoeing, but only because I like to keep it short for hoof balance more than anything!!

 

[Rana]

I use NAF Hoof Moist, which my farrier said would be "ok". He recommends Derby Hoof Grease, but haven't tried it myself yet. He did say not to overdo it though. If it's wet, or there's a lot of dew on the grass, the hoof will soak up the natural moisture, and there's probably not much point putting anything else on. He told me to use hoof grease/moisturiser once a day if it had been dry. If you do it too often, the hooves will go soft and crumbly, which is just as much of a problem.

And yep, mine would normally go 7 weeks with no problems, but only went 6 last time round.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Kevin Bacon is the best stuff, all the farriers around here recommend it as well.

 

[aelt]

My horse has all white feet, though in very good condition.

Naf hoof moist is very good, and my farrier uses kevin bacon too!

 

[Donkeymad]

There is no truth in the idea that white hooves are weaker than black.

Another vote for Effol here

 

[sam72431]

My farrier said that Effol is a waste of space and never to put it on unless for shows or something he said to always put cornucrescine on or just put water on the hooves! So i stopped putting effol on and the hooves improved really quickly but i guess it varies between horses!

 

[angiebaby]

Mine has four white hooves, barefoot, hacked out on all terain. they do get brittle this time of year, and I am also a fan of Kevin Bacon, best used straight after farrier has filed them, and kept in the sun so it stays soft!

 

[LucyPriory]

Hi White feet are no weaker than black. Hoof moisturisers are to be avoided they can encourage bacterial breakdown of the keratin which will make the horses feet more prone to breaking. When you say 'brittle' do you mean hard and dry? If they are hard and dry and are flaking/splitting/cracking then there is something amiss with your DEET - diet, exercise, environment or trim. Similarly if the feet are soft and flaky there is something wrong with your DEET. Very often it is too much sugar. Cut all molasses - and I mean every scrap - and beware feeding any sugary treats, licks or anything else. Then don't let your horse stand in a dirty bed for any time at all and don't let them stand in a wet boggy field. Give it a bit of time, bin the hoof moisturisers and you'll be fine!