Keratex - WOW!

[Horsey Bird]

Hello Folks
Thought I'd share an experience with you all ! 2 months ago I moved Mary Lou to a new yard and started her on the Keratex Hoof Supplement. My main reason for doing so is she is not shod and our new hacking grounds include lots of road work, the beach, woods and some horribly rough stony rocky paths. Her feet used to chip a lot in the past and I wanted to see if I could use a combination of Keratex and easing her gently into the new terrain to continue keeping her unshod.

Well all I can say is the Keratex has worked WONDERS on her feet. Within 3 weeks, her feet were no longer chipping. I dont understand why it worked so quickly because I expected it to work as the hoof grew out. It took us about 4-6 weeks to ease her feet into being comfortable on all terrains. We can happily go out now for 2 hours and she doesnt get footsore and as Hairy Cob will tell you, there are some very rough paths around our area.

For anyone whose horses feet are in any way dodgy all I can say is give it a try. Yes its expensive - my £40 tub will last me about 3 months but she's about 650kg and you feed according to weight.

The one thing I noticed with it is it seems to slow the downward growth of the hoof. Normally I need to have her trimmed every 4-5 weeks. Its now been 8 weeks since her last trim and only now do I need to call the farrier out. When I get home tonight I will add a photo of her feet. I can whole-heartedly recommend it (and I have no financial interest in this whatsoever....I wish though).

[HAYLEY GITTOES]

Yes ive heard this stuff it really good, my friend uses ut on her mare and she said it is excellent, bit expensive but well worth it.

[larri]

I use the Keratex hoof hardener on Safi - especially straight after a trim and she does plenty of road work and has never been shod.
Had a few chips this summer, but farrier reckoned it was due to the very dry weather - So I'd been taking her down to the river or standing her in the pond in the field ( she thought I was mad!)

[Bebe]

I started using it on Bebe when she was lame due to poor trimming/shoeing. She was really sore through her soles as they were very flat but after a couple of weeks of using it she was sound and we've even ventured down the stony path near us a few times. Her hooves are so much better that I was able to take her hind shoes off and keep her in work, and I'm having her front shoes taken off on Friday (to let her heels de-contract).

I've got the Keratex Hoof Gel to use when the field starts to get muddy (if it gets muddy, need rain for that).

[HairyCob]

I can certainly vouch for the horribly stony ground and lots of roadwork!
HC goes barefoot in the winter, when we don't ride out so much, but has to have a front set through the summer or he gets footsore.

Thanks for the reccomendation HorseyBird, I'll get some and feed it through the winter and see if we can get away with being barefoot next summer!

You should ask them for some commission!!:D ;)

[virtuallyhorses]

I like the Keratex hoof hardener - but I don't think its the product that's slowing your horse's hoof growth - you guys are in autumn now and a horse's hoof growth slows during winter naturally. I've certainly noticed spring here as mine's hoof walls seem to be growing every time I look and I've certainly had the rasp out more often in the last couple of weeks than I have in the what seems like the whole of winter ;)

[H & Bailey]

I have used the hoof hardener,the type you paint on the feet,for a few years.
I would definately recommend it as my TB used to be difficult to keep shoes on and it really helped.i have continued using it with Bailey as he is barefoot and it helps stop chipping.
Hopefully i will use it on my next pony..;)

[rusk]

I use the Keratex hoof hardener on my horse's feet with great success but I haven't heard of the feed supplement, if that's what you're talking about. Can you give me some information, please? I have one of my horses on a food supplement which is also quite expensive but it works, it's called Hoof Rite.