Diagnosis

Keratex Cosmetic Hoof Filler are unique wax crayons, available in both light and dark, are like concealers for equine hooves. They work by filling in and smoothing over minor imperfections and blemishes in the hoof wall. With two colour choices, you can blend improvements in with the hooves’ natural colour for an invisible, flawless finish. The wax also has a disinfecting action and will prevent dirt and germs from becoming ingrained in tiny cracks and imperfections.

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Keratex Hoof Gel is a highly waterproof but breathable application for hooves that soften, crumble and break up in wet weather or humid conditions. Hoof Gel can be applied all over the hoof capsule including frogs, soles and heels. Once applied, water will form droplets and run off the hooves much like rain off a waxed jacket. Use Hoof Gel to strengthen hooves and prevent water damage from occurring.

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The old adage ‘no foot, no horse’ really does apply in our unpredictable climate, which can trap hooves in a wet-dry-wet-dry cycle of rapid saturation and drying. This can weaken hoof horn over time and make hooves prone to cracked or soft hooves, thrown shoes, unsoundness and/or discomfort during work. Horse hooves become compromised when the moisture content does not remain reasonably constant. In any consistent climate, a horse can adapt well over time. However, frequent changes in the weather will adversely affect the internal structure of the hooves, which never have the chance to become ‘acclimatised’. In wet conditions such as a waterlogged field or rainy spell, the internal hoof structure swells and softens as it absorbs excess water molecules. This is because the essential molecular links which hold the keratin of the horn together have weakened. In subsequent dry conditions such as stabling or a spell of hot/dry weather, the internal hoof structure contracts and shrinks as the water evaporates. The faster the hooves have to react in this way, the worse the damage, meaning that a changeable climate such as the UK plays havoc with horses’ hooves. As hoof horn expands and contracts in varying conditions, the molecular structure weakens and cracks will appear. As the process continues, the hoof will become more porous over time, becoming saturated extremely quickly and drying out rapidly. This leaves empty spaces – ‘vacuoles’ – inside the hoof horn, which can act as nuclei for cracks and splits to form. It will make a horse prone to losing shoes as the nails cannot be held in tightly and the soles may become soft and susceptible to punctures, cavities and sensitivity. Clearly the affects of a wet-dry cycle can be very damaging but it is possible to prevent the hooves from becoming affected with the right protective measures. In preventing the effects of a wet-dry cycle remember that the hoof horn is already classed as ‘dead tissue’ and therefore some complex chemical engineering is required to waterproof it and strengthen it internally by cross-linking the keratin of the hoof wall – rather like adding rungs to a ladder. The best way to protect the horn against a wet-dry cycle is a two-pronged affair. Firstly, excess water must be prevented from entering the horn structure and secondly, weak horn must be strengthened without becoming brittle. Applying a strongly water-repellent but porous topical product on the outer surface of the hoof wall and sole is a good way of achieving this. Secondly, using a hoof hardener will add cross-linking bonds to the keratin, reinforcing the natural sulphur links that hold the hoof together, therefore strengthening and hardening the horn.

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Keratex Hoof Hardener will add strength and flexibility to the hoof walls and soles of the horse's foot, making your horse more comfortable in a matter of days. The unique formulation of Keratex Hoof Hardener includes a special ‘elasticity’ ingredient that prevents brittleness within the hoof while making it stronger and more durable, making it ideal for long term use as a general maintenance application for hooves. Try using Hoof Hardener daily for one week to stabilise the hooves, and two or three times a week thereafter on a top up basis. Keratex Hoof Hardener works by cross-linking the proteins within the horse’s hoof, building ‘bridges’ and adding stamina to the hoof walls and soles. Sensitive soles can be the result of the damaging effects of the wet-dry cycle that the changeable UK weather can bring about in horses’ hooves. Going from a rainy spell that causes waterlogged fields to dry sunny days and harder ground can play havoc with horses’ hooves as they swell to accommodate extra moisture and then contract as this water evaporates. This is also a common problem in horses that graze in dewy pasture during the night or early morning – just as the dew evaporates quickly, so does the moisture within the hooves. When this happens on a regular basis, it can create cracks and splits in the hoof wall, and soft, weak and sensitive soles. For this reason, you may find it beneficial to use Keratex Hoof Gel as well. Keratex Hoof Gel will waterproof the entire hoof capsule, making it immune to the damaging effects of a wet-dry cycle and therefore preventing water-damage from occurring.

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Hooves that disintegrate easily are often the result of water damage from standing in wet fields, boggy paddocks, or frequent stabling. Water damage occurs when a horse’s hooves are saturated by environmental water, for example, mud, puddles, dewy grass, or wet bedding. This can cause splitting and cracking as the internal structure of the hooves expands. The problem can become worse in winter when feet are water-logged all day, and then dry out quickly when stabled overnight. This causes moisture to evaporate through the hoof walls very quickly. The hoof becomes trapped in a wet-dry cycle where the internal structures expand and contract quickly, causing cracks and gaps in the hooves. The best way to avoid water damage in hooves is to avoid exposing the hooves to environmental moisture while protecting the hooves’ breathability. Once the hooves are able to shirk off excess water their condition will improve and this will lead to strengthening of the hoof structure and better hoof quality. Keratex Hoofcare manufactures a Hoof Gel specifically designed to repair and recover hooves from water damage. It can be applied all over the hoof, sole, frog and bulbs of the heel, and will completely waterproof the entire hoof capsule in a fully supportive and breathable way. It will also prevent water damage from occurring and is a useful addition to your kit as a way of responding to weather changes as they happen to maintain hoof quality. Once applied, Keratex Hoof Gel will absorb into the hooves for maximum results (unlike some products which simply sit on the surface and are therefore easily rubbed off in grass or during exercise). When the hooves become wet, water will form droplets and roll off the hooves like rain off a waxed jacket or water off a duck’s back, so you can see the effectiveness of the product.

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Dehydrated, cracked hooves can be the result of a rapidly changing wet-dry cycle, and are often seen in finer breeds such as TBs on either black or white hoof horn. It is typically seen as small splits and cracks in the hooves and a straw-like appearance with hard unyielding frogs. A common misconception is that dehydrated hooves should be moisturised daily. This is not the case and in actual fact can cause over-moisturisation, where the hooves become too soft. The most successful hoof type is ‘hard’ and only slightly pliable in order to absorb different terrain, but over-moisturising can cause the hooves to become too soft and too pliable and therefore more likely to break up and split. If hooves and frogs need a hydration boost, keep using your current moisturiser but cut the applications down to just two or three times a week in order to keep feet in tip top condition without making them too pliable. This also applies to frogs which must not be allowed to become too soft. Keeping hooves at the optimum moisture level should be a carefully balanced affair. Keratex Hoof Moisturiser has a humectant action and is absorbed by the hoof. Its intelligent formulation tailors the moisture levels to a precise level and maintains this level for a stable, consistent environment within the hoof for good quality hooves going forward.

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This can be caused by frogs that are consistently soggy, and can thrive in horses who have a tendency to stand in boggy gateways or who are regularly stabled. Soft, smelly or black frogs will often occur in cobs and native breeds during winter as they have deep clefts and crevices where bacteria can thrive. This can be prevented and relieved by keeping very low levels of bacteria on the surface and in the crevices of the frogs. Using a general Hoof Disinfectant every day as part of your picking out routine will help to protect frogs by wiping out germs before they have a chance to get a foothold in the frog and surrounding area. Problem frogs are notoriously stubborn and have a tendency to relapse, but they can be easily dealt with by keeping the feet as clean as possible, with a daily disinfectant.

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Problems with the soles can cause hopping on hard ground or stony areas, during roadwork and thin and soft soles are prone to small punctures from little stones and pebbles. Hooves and soles should be quite hard in order to be able withstand the demands of the horse’s modern day lifestyle such as roadwork, schooling and standing in one patch of land as opposed to roaming as they would do naturally. To toughen up soles try Keratex Hoof Hardener, which is recommended by the Head Farrier of the Olympics (Beijing) Ian Hughes. It is also patented, meaning it is the only product of its kind registered. Hoof Hardener contains a safe and fully breathable hardening agent combined with a flexibility agent to give hooves optimum hoof durability while maintaining suppleness. It is recommended by vets and farriers and is approved for use in the short or long term to improve hoof quality. Unlike other products, Hoof Hardener also absorbs into the hooves, meaning that it will not come off in grass or onto bedding. For horses that hop on hard ground or stones, or who have thin or soft (sometimes crumbly) soles, apply Hardener daily for a week to stabilise the hooves and just two or three times a week thereafter for best maintenance. Keratex Hoofcare tells customers to expect a noticeable improvement within one week.

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A good way of keeping shoes on tight is to make the internal hoof structure denser by cross-linking the keratins which make up the foot and hardening the hoof capsule to the level it should naturally be. This means that shoes will stay on tight and the hoof will be more able to hold onto clenches. In the timescale of one shoeing/trimming where Hoof Hardener is being used regularly, the horse’s ability to hold onto shoes will be improved and damaged nail holes, existing cracks and damage will be stabilised while they grow out and new cracks will be prevented from appearing. If painted around old nail holes, missing hoof horn and chips and flaps, these areas of damage will not ladder up or across the hoof.

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The competition horse must be strong, fit, brave and filled with ambition and excitement for the job. So when they are struck down by injury or digestion problems, it’s important for their outlook to do everything possible for a full and speedy recovery so they can be back to best as quickly and safely as possible. As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. So in a market flooded with products for the competition horse, which is your best option? Keratex Zeolite is a brand new product from the scientists at Penleigh Irving Ltd. It can be added to hard feed or sprinkled over hay, and improves the competition horse’s health by ensuring that the hrose receives the full 100% of nutrients available through its feed portfolio. Most horses expel some of the nutrients from their diet before they can be absorbed and used by the body because they pass through the system so quickly. Zeolite captures nutrients as it passes through the digestive system and filters them out in a way which allows the horse to use them more efficiently, in a slow and controlled manner which calms the gut and improves the rate of conversion of existing feeds and supplements. It also attracts and traps toxins with a special ion charge, and holds onto them as its passes through the system, and when the Zeolite is expelled in the usual way, the toxins go with it and can even be used by the soil to improve grass quality. Zeolite is a natually occurring mineral clay ash which horses and other animals forage for in the wild by instinct to improve their digestion and overall health. Zeolite has been shown to improve the overall health of competition horses as well as improve their rate of conversion of nutrients to bones and tissues, specifically this means that they will be stronger in their field. When fed regularly Zeolite can help to reduce injuries. It can also be started at a time of crisis, to speed up and assist recvoery from injuries and illnesses.

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Sand underfoot can be very abrasive to horse’s hooves. The exfoliating effect of sand can be quite detrimental for most hooves and they tend to wear away quickly, this can cause problems with hoof quality or sensitive feet. Many riders who school several times a week in a sand arena find that their horse’s hooves become over-buffed and eventually begin to wear away. This can also be the case, over time, with horses that are turned out onto sandy soil. It is important to discuss shoeing or trimming options with your farrier, to explore ways in which different methods of farriery may help reduce wear and tear. If you are concerned about your horse’s hooves being eroded by sand from an arena or sandy soil area, Keratex Hoofcare has two products which can be used to prevent and reduce the abrasive effects of sand. The first is Keratex Hoof Hardener which is great for hardening and strengthening hooves while encouraging natural movement and suppleness. This can work well for hooves that are exposed to sandy arenas or sandy soil, because it increases the hoof’s defences against wear and tear and reduces the exfoliating effect of sand simply by making hooves stronger. Keratex Hoof Gel is a great product to shield the hooves from abrasion by adding a protective, fully breathable layer which will reduce the amount of hoof exfoliation as a result of sandy arenas or soil. As with all hoofcare issues, the basics of diet, good farriery and lifestyle management are vital in producing or maintaining good quality feet.

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Many supplements on the market today contain a sugar-based carrier to make the supplement tasty for the horse, so fussy eaters don’t refuse what they are being given. This is not a problem when feeding one or two supplements to an equine without sugar-related problems, but if feeding several supplements to a pony prone to spring grass problems, or to overweight ponies/donkeys, the owner can unwittingly be feeding sugar as part of a daily diet. Look out on the label of what you are feeding if you feed more than two supplements and you have a horse or pony that is susceptible to sugar, so you can be sure that you are not feeding too much sugar in the diet.

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Transitioning to Barefoot For the transition to barefoot there are a few golden guidelines to think about at every stage of the process: 1) Make sure you enlist the trimming services of a qualified farrier and keep up regular shaping and trimming appointments. 2) Add our Hoof Hardener to your routine to ensure that the hooves are as capable as possible. Olympics Head Farrier Ian Hughes recommends our Hardener and the ingredients are approved by the relevant regulatory bodies. You can use the Hardener short, medium or long term and it will only ever be beneficial to feet. 3) Feed a good diet. If you add our Supplement to your feed portfolio you will be covering all bases when it comes to nutrition for feet. 4) Be adaptable. Some horse simply cannot cope barefoot. If your horse seems footy apply Hardener daily for a week or two and be prepared to put shoes back on if it doesn’t suit your horse. Breed, workload, diet and genetics can play a large part in failure to thrive barefoot. 5) Use a good general hoof disinfectant regularly to ensure that bacteria levels are kept very low. Bacteria can eat into hoof tissue particularly around more vulnerable areas when barefoot such as the white line, so a regular disinfectant will address this for you and keep the germs away. 6) Do not over-moisturise the hooves. If you feel the hooves need a boost of moisture don’t use a moisturiser more than two or three times a week at the absolute most. Over-moisturised feet can become soft and weak and far too pliable, this can cause hoof breakage and soft soles which are then susceptible to infections. Going back generations to the days of wild horses, their feet were like bullets, hard and strong and very effective on different terrains. Too moisture can be counter-productive. In summary, a good diet, nice hard hooves and low levels of bacteria will give you a good shot of going barefoot and staying barefoot. Don’t forget: Hard Hooves are Better Hooves!

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No. This is a myth. There is some anecdotal evidence that white hooves are softer, but industry professionals go on the scientific facts and in fact there is no difference in the structure, moisture content, density or make-up in either of the colours, so there is no difference in the strength of the two colours. The hoof colour is actually determined by the skin above it, for this reason as the hoof grows out of the coronary band it is colour coded. For example, this is why so many Appaloosas have white and black stripy hooves.

It is true though that scientific research has found that weaker hooves have an increased moisture content whether they are black or white. So the more moisture in the hoof, the weaker it is, whatever the colour. When horses ran wild before human  involvement, their feet were hard like bullets and very, very dry. This allowed them to deal with the many different types of terrain they encountered as they roamed and foraged. So whether the hoof is black or white, as long as it nice and hard, the capability will be the same in each colour.  

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We advise not to over-moisturise the hooves as it can be counter-productive. Science shows us that hooves with a high moisture content are softer, and that hard, less moisturised hooves are better. Since the origins of time, horses were created with naturally very hard hooves - often described as being as hard as bullets - for this reason. Hard hooves are more capable at dealing with day-to-day demands and different terrains. Hooves that are over-moisturised may look very satiny and while this is aesthetically pleasing, after a while the over-moisturised hoof may have too much flex and bend. This can be detrimental to internal structures, much like our own nails which bend and break when too soft. Most dehydrated hooves will improve with just two or three applications of moisturiser per week, this should be enough for the vast majority of hooves and any more than this tends to be over-kill. If you have been moisturising your horse's hooves more than three times a week, and they have started to show cracks, micro-splits or other problems, it may be the right time to reduce your moisturiser applications per week.  

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