Can you trim your horses feet yourself?

Can you use all around hoof dressing on horses?

As an all-around hoof dressing, for use on horses that didn’t have any severe problems, we looked for a product that would work equally well on the coronary band, heels, frogs and soles. We wanted correction of minor problems with dryness and cracking and help in sealing out excess moisture.

How do you make hoof dressing for horses?

It is also an ingredient in some commercially available hoof dressings, such as Hoofmaker (which is a brand we didn’t try, by the way). Below: Partially melted coconut oil in a clear container. Recipe #2: A mixture of two parts coconut oil, one part glycerin, and one part aloe vera gel.

Is hoofmaker safe for horses?

Parting Thoughts Generally speaking, healthy horse hooves do not need some type of topical hoof conditioner. Overuse of hoof conditioners is notorious for over-softening a horse’s hooves. Coconut oil is a common ingredient in a number of commercially available hoof conditioners including Hoofmaker.

Is hoof dressing good for horses?

They seem to like the shine and claim it is “good for their horses”, though they may not be exactly sure what it might do for them. For others with horses that have hoof problems such as cracks, chips, or fungal/bacterial issues, hoof dressing is often a go-to for prevention and treatment.

What can damage a horse’s hoof?

However, also like a healthy fingernail, the hoof is subject to damage by both external factors (extremes of wetness or dryness, physical abrasion) and also by the application of substances that could either overdry or oversoften the hoof.

Does my horse need a hoof oil or conditioner?

Your horse might also benefit from a hoof supplement. However, when the hooves’ natural wet/dry cycle is interrupted by typical British weather, a hoof oil or conditioner can be of great help.

What is horse dressing made of?

That said, you can be pretty sure that any hoof dressing will contain one of three things: Petroleum oil derivatives – These might include neatsfoot and/ or cod liver oil, pine tar (think: “sticky”), petroleum compounds, and/or turpentine. Vaseline® is petroleum based.

Does dressing a dead horse’s hooves work?

Well, yes, actually. About the only thing that a hoof dressing can realistically do is affect the rate of moisture loss from the dead hoof tissue. And, in one study, done in the 1990’s, and presented to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, petroleum-based hoof dressings ointments slowed evaporation more than lanolin-based dressings.

How to make homemade hoof conditioner for horses?

After some research we decided to base our homemade hoof conditioner on coconut oil, a common product that is popular for cooking as well as for topical use. We decided to try using the coconut oil in two different ways: As part of a mixture of two parts coconut oil, one part glycerin, and one part aloe vera gel.

Are hoof conditioners bad for horses hooves?

Overuse of hoof conditioners is notorious for over-softening a horse’s hooves. A healthy horse’s hooves should be hard, not soft or spongy. In most cases, hoof conditioners should be applied sparingly if they need to be applied at all.

What should I do if my horse has bad hooves?

If you feel your horse has poor quality hooves, a talk with a qualified veterinarian or horseshoer may be very helpful. Overuse of hoof conditioners is notorious for over-softening a horse’s hooves. A healthy horse’s hooves should be hard, not soft or spongy.

How often should I apply hoof conditioner to my horse?

In most cases, hoof conditioners should be applied sparingly if they need to be applied at all. In our case, applying coconut oil three times a week for several weeks in a row was very helpful in our extreme drought conditions, but is likely to be excessive in other circumstances.

Is hoof dressing bad for horses?

Hoof dressing alone will generally not fix much. Some hoof dressings can even be more drying. While a lot of hoof dressings claim to promote hoof growth and circulation, they do not. To promote healthy hoof growth and circulation, the horse must eat well, drink well, and move.

Should you dress your horse’s hooves?

For others with horses that have hoof problems such as cracks, chips, or fungal/bacterial issues, hoof dressing is often a go-to for prevention and treatment. Let me begin by saying that hoof dressing won’t cure anything on its own. In some cases, it may even be detrimental.

Do hoof dressings promote hoof growth and circulation?

While a lot of hoof dressings claim to promote hoof growth and circulation, they do not. To promote healthy hoof growth and circulation, the horse must eat well, drink well, and move. Plain and simple.

What happens if hoof problems are left untreated in horses?

While most hoof issues are mild, if left untreated they can worsen over time and lead to lameness. Problems with your horse’s hooves such as laminitis can also signal systemic health concerns that need to be addressed.

Does hoof dressing absorb moisture from the hoof?

The healthy hoof wall will resist moisture, but the sole, frog and coronet can absorb moisture. If you apply hoof dressing to a healthy hoof wall, you will get a shiny hoof. But nothing else will change. Any applications you want “absorbed” must be applied to the parts that possess that function.

What’s in a hoof dressing?

WHAT’S IN A HOOF DRESSING? A lot, depending on the dressing. But, fundamentally, not all that much. Hoof dressings generally contain one of three things, with a bunch of other stuff tossed in to appeal to… someone. That said, you can be pretty sure that any hoof dressing will contain one of three things:

What is the best conditioner for horse hooves?

Coconut oil is a common ingredient in a number of commercially available hoof conditioners including Hoofmaker. We also found that coconut oil is a great leave-in conditioner for our horse’s hair.

How to moisturize horse hooves without softening them?

A thin coat of coconut oil provides deep moisture without making the hooves soft. Because coconut oil turns solid below 76 °F (24 °C), it can be a little difficult to apply in the wintertime.

Can you use coconut oil as a hoof conditioner?

As part of a mixture of two parts coconut oil, one part glycerin, and one part aloe vera gel. We wanted to know if the coconut oil, by itself, would work as a hoof conditioner, or if the mixture was more (or less) effective than the coconut oil alone. The winner, in our opinion, was the coconut oil by itself.

What is the best hoof conditioner for dry hooves?

Horseshoers Secret Hoof Conditioner absorbs quickly to condition dry hooves and prevent cracks, splits and contracted heels. Coming in as our blue ribbon champion and Best Hoof Conditioner is the Horseshoers Secret Hoof Conditioner. This product offers great performance, quality, and comes at an excellent price.

How to improve the condition of your horse’s hooves?

If you’re trying to improve the condition of soft or brittle hooves, it’s wise to consult your farrier as some applications may be more of a hindrance than help, and certainly no replacement for good feeding and management. Your horse might also benefit from a hoof supplement.

What causes hooves to fall off horses?

Standing in a stall is one of the main contributors to hoof demise. Horses should be turned out as much as possible (24/7 is ideal), but daily exercise in addition to turnout will help promote hoof growth and health. In this regard, hooves are like muscle.

Do hoof dressings really work?

Some hoof dressings can even be more drying. While a lot of hoof dressings claim to promote hoof growth and circulation, they do not. To promote healthy hoof growth and circulation, the horse must eat well, drink well, and move. Plain and simple. No topical application will fix growth or circulation.

Do hoof dressings change the shape of a horse’s feet?

TAKEAWAY NUMBER ONE – Hoof dressings are not going to change the shape of your horse’s feet. As important as the ground is, the curious thing is that the ground itself doesn’t seem to have much to do with the amount of moisture in the hoof wall.