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Discussion on Dry cracked hooves
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Member:
Jgordo03
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - 1:19 pm:
My Farrier came out for my horses routine trimming. He said that my QH had very dry brittle hooves. The weather has been extremely dry where I live, but I do feed H.B. 14, and ABC 123 supplements. Does anyone else have this problem with their horses hooves being so dry, and what can be done about it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - 7:55 pm:
I was told by my farrier to brush the hooves with peanut oil every day. I live in Arizona and it is hopelessly dry here. It made a very big difference. There are commercial products for the same purpose, but this does work just as well. I was told that as with anything, moderation is called for as too much can make the hooves too soft. What I do is brush on the oil each time I go riding, about every 2 days on each horse, and that seems to be the magic balance here. I would imagine each horse and each environment just need some individual modification. There are also supplements that are taken orally that can have a good effect.
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 - 1:48 am:
Any good hoof dressing will help preserve the natural moisture in hooves.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 - 7:22 am:
Hello Judith,
For our recommendations on hoof dressings see, Care for Horses » Hoof Care » Care of the Hoof: an Overview. However I would like you to review the reasons for the cracks as very dry weather does not make the walls brittle. It makes them very tough and hard. If you are having problems with brittleness as demonstrated by deep cracks and sections of the walls breaking out you should review both the Care article and the Disease of Horn article where brittleness in the horn is explained. There is a link in the care article.
DrO
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Member:
Jgordo03
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 - 11:18 am:
Dr. O, I looked for any article yesterday before I posted, but missed the one you mentioned. Thanks for the directions. Ilona I think I will try the peanut oil dressing you suggested when it turns hot and dry again this summer. We just got three inches of rain last night and the girls will be up to their ankles in mud for the next few days. My Vet was out yesterday evening for their West Nile, 5-way and coggins and said about the same thing you and Dr. O said. Happy Trails everyone for a wonderful summer of riding, and keep safe.
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Monday, Jun 19, 2006 - 10:11 am:
Ilona or anyone who has used the peanut oil - I could only find peanut oil blend with vegetable oil. Do you think that would be ok? Thanks.
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