Keratex hoof hardener

Laura2184

Laura2184

Active Member
Mar 1, 2005
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www.cheshiretackroom.co.uk
My pony has been barefoot all his life and I have recently noticed how footy he is over gravelled areas. My barefoot trimmer took a look this weekend and said that the soles of his feet were quite soft and this will be due to all the wet weather and the soggy field.

He's instructed me to do as much road work as I can with him to get them hardened off again.

I was wondering whether Keratex hoof hardener was any good too?

Any experiences?
 
I don't know the answer (how helpful was that? :o), but I am having the same problem and am interested in any replies you have. I know I've been told the Keratex isn't the best thing for barefoot soles but I can't remember why... I'm using the Naf Hoof and Sole painted on at the mo, but for fungus rather than to harden the sole - the pack does say it helps with this but I can't see how.

Walking on the road in boots and pads was what my trimmer recommended :)
 
Just wondering, how do hooves benefit from walking on roads with boots if the actual hoof isn't touching the road.. sorry if that's a stupid question!
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I don't think it's a stupid question (well, I wouldn't, coz I asked it myself ;)). It seems to be something to do with the pads? They're a bit squishable, so they sort of stimulate the sole while at the same time protecting it from being bruised by standing on loose pebbles etc? I suppose it must be a bit like those funny shoes with knobbly bits on the soles that you can buy that are supposed to massage your feet while you walk :D

I am still not completely convinced, but the horse is a lot more comfy and happy to stride out with the boots and pads, so... I'm giving it a go (have been on and off for the last year, mind you).

Still painting on the Hoof and Sole, though - I wonder is the Keratex made of similar stuff? The Hoof and Sole is the same basic stuff that farmers use as a footbath for sheep, except Naf package it for horse owners so that it is in a convenient bottle and costs about 500 times as much ;)
 
ahhh I see, yes Prince is very reluctant to stride out and when we got back from our ride last night, his hooves were warm. :o

I wonder why my trimmer didn't tell me to use hoof boots? I'm going to try and give him a call.

So basically, after riding a bit with boots on the hooves should of got harder and you will eventually be able to take them off?
 
I used Keratex, but on a shod horse, so when it comes to barefoot, no idea I'm afraid! :D

I think, to a point, it did work. I used it for almost six months, painting it on regularly, but it wasn't the "quick fix" I was promised, and as soon as I stopped using it, his feet were just as bad as always. Nor was it cheap :rolleyes: If you do decide to give it a try, please do not leave your bottle open and on the floor within twenty miles of your horse. I'm convinced mine went out of his way to knock it over! :D
 
the purpose of going out on the road is so that the hooves are on a very dry hard surface (i think)
if the soles are soft (and maybe even the wall) you may find that the road wears the hoof down very quickly (i find that with my horses) in which case you would put hoof boots on (as this will prevent the severe wear off of the road) but the hooves are still on a hard dry surface so would still get the benefits. That is how i would read the situation.
I use keretex occassionally (in very wet weather if the horses are out most of the time) and i generally only put it round the wall but have used it on the sole, you just have to be careful not to go on the frog. i do think it does help too.
 
So basically, after riding a bit with boots on the hooves should of got harder and you will eventually be able to take them off?
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That worked for me last summer - he had shoes off in December, was on field rest for about 2 months, then walked out with boots and pads for about 3 months, then was absolutely great to hack out with nothing. Everything was hunky dory till end December, when the rains came again - and he's been on a week's box rest with soft soles and extreme ouchyness for the last week.

So back to square one :rolleyes: but I think next year, he'll be in at night or on hardstanding if the field gets as soggy as it did over the last couple of months.

I like Coss's explanation too - like a nice, guaranteed smooth dry surface. And if you put pads in as well, it stimulates the frogs and soles and encourages circulation, which aids growth. I think :o

I might sound more confident if I didn't currently have the horse with the squishiest soles in Scotland :)
 
Hmm. Someone on my old yard had a 32-year-old Arab gelding who she regularly showed barefoot (qualifying for HOYS) and she swore by Keratex Hoof Hardener.

x
 
Well I tried to go on another ride tonight and he was fine in the field but as soon as we hit anything harder he was in pain, so I need to get him some hoof boots.

Which ones do you recommend for cob type feet. I obviously need to measure him up but would you recommend any?
 
ahhh I see, yes Prince is very reluctant to stride out and when we got back from our ride last night, his hooves were warm.
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I would lay money on spring grass being your problem, I had the very same thing with my two at the end of last week, although they were still Ok by their standards they weren't as good as they have been. Over the weekend I cut back their turnout to 12 hours a day (only one stable so it's one in during the day and one in at night) and they've both improved noticeably and the heat in their feet has gone. If you feed magnesium try upping the amount, I've found Equimins Hoof Mender supplement has helped too.
 
Sorry, cross posted with you :) I personally like easyboot bares with the bungee replaced with a cable and buckle, but old mac G2's are good if you don't ride through a lot of mud or rocks. Have a look at www.easycareinc.com if you haven't already :)
 
haha thanks Yann, he's been having magnesium for about 2 weeks now, Ive been feeding 2 teaspoons in his tea. I'm not sure its the grass to be honest as he's been like this for ages, just noticing more now as Im starting to ride him out more. (bad mum :o )

<off to look on the easycare website> :D
 
i started using keratex when lacey was footy and think it is really good. I don't use it all the time but do use it for a month or two if she seems a bit footy. (she is normally barefoot behind and shod on fronts)

Expensive but lasts ages so well worth it. Definitely saw a difference and it was recommended by my farrier at the time who had 4 out of 5 of his own horses barefoot.
 
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