Keratex Hoofcare are the experts when it comes to dealing with hoof problems.

Why are we the experts? Well quite simply our chemists have gone back to basics to find the causes of hoof problems. As a result we are often in strong conflict with traditional management regimes for the hoof.

Why are we in conflict with traditional hoofcare methods?

Traditional, by definition, implies old and before we started researching new hoofcare methods over ten years ago we first looked at what was available within the traditional hoofcare armoury. As scientists we were concerned that most traditional hoofcare products were in some way oil or grease based, and some home concocted 'conditioners' were even formulated with discarded motor oil, which in itself presents major problems for the user.

Because of our scientific appreciation of the structure of hoof horn...

...it came as no surprise that tests with these oil based products showed considerable deterioration of the horn structure at molecular level. These oils soften and weaken the horn and have a tendency to replace natural moisture and prevent the hoof from 'breathing' by sealing the structure. We were able to conclude that oil and grease based 'conditioners' provided no positive benefit to hoof health and in fact were entirely contra-indicated due to the way in which they compromise horn quality.

The fact that oils and greases were supposed to also impart a pleasing appearance to the hoof also proved short lived...

...as dust and bedding soon attaches to the surface, and in contact with urine they become emulsified and water soluble so provide little protection for the hoof against important environmental influences.

Our scientific research is now confirmed by the opinion of a majority of Vets. and Farriers who recommend against the use of oil based 'conditioners' due to the problems caused to the horn structure following repeated use of these preparations.

Apart from these oil based hoof 'conditioners' very little else was available to owners ten years ago...

...and unfortunately the thought then was, as it still is to a lesser degree, that unless you soak the horses hooves in oil at least once a day you were not caring for your horse. In fact those who never used oils, against all the traditions of horse husbandry, were doing their horses a greater service and most likely do not suffer the hoof problems of the 'oil and grease devotees'.

Another problem we encountered early on...

...was the traditional belief that it was almost part of horse ownership to expect the feet to deteriorate during the summer months and that the only remedy was to soak the hooves in water for a couple of hours a day.

As scientists we could not accept that the horse had evolved with a natural deficiency, that caused the hooves to break up regularly during the drier months.

Of course there is nothing wrong with the way the horse has evolved. The hooves are breaking up as a result of the un-natural environment in which horses are kept.

Recognising that the majority of horses have Thoroughbred blood in some proportion, and that the Thoroughbred is fundamentally a desert horse, we investigated the effects of water on hoof horn. What we found in the laboratory was again contrary to the thoughts of the traditionalists.

The structure of horn is designed to be at it strongest...

...and most resilient when it is dry. The chemical structure dictates this, it is irrefutable. When horn is wet it absorbs water, swells appreciably, becomes more flexible and has reduced structural strength.(A comparison is the human fingernail after bathing. Fingernails are also predominently constructed from Keratin, just like hoof horn.)

While the horn remains wet, during Winter for instance, it is stabilised in this weakened and swollen state. Unfortunately the hooves tend to look better during Winter because the cracks close up and seem to disappear giving the impression, wrongly, that hooves are best when they are wet. It is this weakened state of the horn which gives rise to the often heard remark about shoes being 'sucked' off in the mud. In reality the surface area of a horse shoe is insufficient to produce enough suction to pull it off the hoof.

What most likely happens is that the water sodden hoof goes down through the mud, perhaps at a gateway, onto firmer standing and simply twists the shoe off the weakened horn.

So having established that wet horn is weaker...

...and that absorbed water has a considerable effect on the molecular structure of horn we were led to consider the effects of excess water being dried out of the hoof, as would happen in Spring and early Summer.

When horn absorbs water and swells...

...the effect is to disrupt the normal keratin molecular structure to accommodate the newly introduced water molecules. This causes the chemical and electrical bonds between adjoining keratin molecules to 'stretch' to let in the water molecules. This stretching, which is associated with the hoof swelling while wet, causes the bonds to weaken. However while the hoof is constantly wet the inter molecular structure of the keratin is supported by the water molecules. But if the water molecules are removed too quickly, as would happen when the weather dries, the remaining keratin structure is left in a very weakened state. If the water is removed slowly over a controlled period of time, about 12 weeks, the bonds will readjust and repair to a dry state.

Because weather patterns have changed dramatically...

...over recent years it is not unusual to go from five months of high rainfall and low temperatures to high temperatures and no rainfall in a matter of days. When horn is wet it swells to accomodate absorbed water. The advent of dry warmer weather causes the horn to dry out so that the hoof capsule then shrinks back to its normal size. (Farriers will confirm that if they shoe a wet foot on a hot day it will quite often shrink sufficiently in just a few hours for the clenches to rise - giving some magnitude to the problem.)

This sudden reduction in water content, with the associated shrinking, will leave the hoof in a weakened state and will result in cracks as soon as the horn is stressed. The horn structure also becomes more permeable, allowing more moisture to be easily absorbed.

Tradition, recognising the change in the hoof structure from wet to dry, thinks the solution is simple - more water. WRONG.

More water just starts the process off again...

...with the hoof swelling. During Summer the high ambient temperatures will soon dry out this absorbed water causing the hoof to shrink yet again. Therefore the traditionalist who hoses the feet every day, or stands the horse in a stream for an hour or so, is just making things worse. It is not his fault, it is the traditions he follows. Although he in part recognises the problem, he does not appreciate the cause. This is how modern research can so easily contradict years of tradition - in this case associated with years of cracked hooves. It is therefore little wonder that horse owners still tend to think it is a normal occurrence for hooves to crack in summer.

Although our work on the transitions of hoof horn...

...from wet to dry was fundamentally carried out in the UK, it was a visit to Saudi Arabia which confirmed our findings. Some of the top yards there reported problems caused by hooves cracking up for no apparent reason. The hooves displayed the same damage that we had seen so often in the UK, and the cause was quickly traced to recently installed irrigated feeding paddocks. The horses hooves were getting wet while they fed and then suddenly drying in the high ambient temperatures. We were able to recommend Keratex Hoof Gel which stopped the problem. This experience highlighted the effect of changing just one element in a natural environment and further supported our findings that water can have a long term and devastating effect on the quality of hoof horn if left unchecked.

A few simple examples which correlate directly to the effects of water drying out of hoof horn:

1. Wet clay placed in the hot sun soon cracks, because it dries too quickly. Potters soon discovered that if they dry their newly made pots slowly they would not crack.
2. Trees cut for timber are dried or seasoned for several years to allow the moisture to dry out slowly. Rapid, uncontrolled, drying will cause fresh cut wood to crack or 'shake'.
3. Marine archaeologists when preserving sunken wooden ships, such as the Mary Rose, (Henry VIII's flag ship which was recovered from the solent), continually spray the wood to prevent drying out. If this long sodden wood were to dry too quickly it would soon disintegrate into dust.

BEDDING is perhaps not immediately thought to be associated with hoof quality...

...but it is one aspect of horse husbandry with which we are in complete agreement with tradition.

During recent years we have seen an increase in different types of bedding materials, with wood shavings and paper becoming very popular and latterly hemp and other dense materials on offer. The improved absorbancy of these new beddings can exacerbate problems with wet hooves by promoting even faster drying.

The new bedding materials are dense, with no air circulation, and being very absorbent, they tend to remain damp. All in all the perfect environment in which micrococcus ureus can reproduce and prosper.

It is all due to a micro organism called micrococcus ureus.

Micrococcus ureus is an anaerobic organism which thrives in an airless environment. Its main claim to fame is its ability to convert urea, in urine, into ammonia. You will probably have notice the pungent smell of ammonia in some stables, and more often than not this will be a stable using one of the new bedding materials.

It is straw which we have found best for keeping the hooves in good condition - the traditiinal bedding material!

Everyone professes to have the cleanest and driest bedding in their stables...

...but unless every bit of damp bedding or urine is removed micrococcus ureus will find it and very quickly start producing ammonia.

Ammonia, apart from being a possible cause of respiratory problems, also dissolves natural oils and fats which protect the horn. The unprotected horn will absorb urea, which can destructure hoof horn and soles at molecular level. Effectively it unwinds the keratin molecule from its spring like appearance, breaking the intermolecular bonds and leaving the hoof and sole soft and weak. Usually the horn below the clenches will start to crumble, the sole will become prone to bruising and there will be an increase in fungal and bacterial infections in the hoof capsule.

These symptoms are becoming increasingly apparent in horses kept on these new types of bedding.

Tradition dictates that straw be tossed every morning...

...how better to ensure a good circulation of air, and stacked to dry with air passing freely through. Equally the structure of straw allows urine to drain through more effectively, with little wetting or absorption. Soiled straw is easy to identify and remove. All this helps prevent the development and reproduction of micrococcus ureus and ensures low concentrations of ammonia in, or under clean straw bedding.

Deep littering with any type of bedding is to be discouraged in the interests of good hoof health for the same reasons as stated above.

We know that in some areas good straw bedding is difficult to come by...

...and if you are lucky to have it freely available it is often at a premium. If paper, straw or hemp are the only options then it is essential to take care to properly protect the hoof and soles against the effects of ammonia. See Keratex Hoof Gel for protection against these problems.

The horse has evolved to be a roaming animal...

...so that in its natural habitat it would not be in constant contact with dung and urine. This is not the case with stabled horses, so it is not surprising to find that hooves have no natural protection against the effects of ammonia.

A new Hoof Disease...

...which has only been diagnosed within the last 3/4 years, is now becoming a major concern for Vets and Farriers. We refer to onychomycosis, or White Line Disease as it is more commonly known.

Although little is currently known about White Line Disease, certain aspects may soon provide a greater insight. It does not affect all horses. It is not transferred by farriers tools. The prognosis against future infection is not good for horses showing symptoms, even though all infected tissue is removed. It is therefore considered essential to introduce some prevention procedure against future infection and until more definitive data is available as to the cause, all horses should be considered at potential risk.

There is an opinion that white line disease may only affect horses with an abnormal immune system, perhaps as the result of a drug regime.

White line disease has now been identified around the world and considerable work is being done to find out more about this debilitating hoof condition. If you would like to read an in-depth article on White Line Disease, please click here.

Proper hoofcare is, and always will be, one of the most important aspects of horse husbandry. It is also the most neglected.

Hoofcare for most owners comes way down the list...

...with a new saddle or a new pair of chaps often being seen as more important than even the most basic preventative hoofcare. We all know that it's no fun spending money keeping hooves in good condition, however, no matter how pretty the new chaps may be, or how high tech the new saddle, the old adage of 370 BC still holds true 'No Foot, No Horse'.