Posted by Phil Armitage on December 31, 2003 at 15:35:37:
In Reply to: hoof conditioners posted by Jessica on December 30, 2003 at 12:55:09:
: I was wondering if anyone could tell me some home remedies for hoof conditioners? My 13 yr old STB gelding has his hooves trimmed/filed every month, but his hooves are dry and crack very easily. My farrier says it is possilbly caused by the years that he had horse shoes on his hooves and now he does not. I'm not sure if that is the cause, but I was just trying to think of ways to make some hoof conditioner at home. I thought of using mane/tail conditioner mixed with water and baby oil (I use that as a mane/tail detangler and it works quite well....), but I'm not sure. So any suggestions would be nice.
: Thanks in advance,
: Jessica
Don't use artificial or man made oils or conditioners on the hoof. Natural oils seem to work best. Hoof flex makes a great hoof dressing oil that I like alot. Peanut oil works well. Normaly all you have to do is apply a dressing to the corronet band under the hair, this area will absorb moisture better and the new growth will be healthier. Another good way to get moisture in the feet is run the hose if it not to cold out, over the corronet and hoof, few minutes is all you need for a few days, you don't want to over do it, becuase the feet can get to moist and soft. The shoes don't cause feet to be to dry, the enviroment is the cause, the feet can get to dry or to wet wether there shod or not.
Phil