Hippotherapy

What is the best way to keep a horses hooves from becoming too dry, even with the regular use of hoof oil?

We have a little debate in the stable where i work, I say that too much washing and water will gradually make the horses hooves them dry, we should continue to oil the hoof regularly and avoid water as much as possible, but another employee insists that we should wash the horses hooves every day regardless, whether they are dirty or not! She seems to think water will moisten the hooves. I would really like to learn what is right, as I only want the best for the horses and to stop the hooves being so dry. Any suggestions?

Public Comments

1. there is a product call hoofing cream I think its put out by Tail and Maine. You can pretty much find it anywhere so hope that helps
2. Constant use of hoof oil can dry the hoof. Wetting the hoof is good, and you can use hoof oil to seal in the moisture. However, there are more suitable products designed to moisturise the hoof. I work on a stable yard and when it gets very hot and dry in the summer, we go round with a sponge wetting their hooves in between rides.
3. We keep a dribble of water running into the troughs so the horses have to walk through the wet ground to drink. It helps keep them moisturized, but oiling them or using a moisturizing product is important as well.
4. I wash my horse whenever he gets rodes which is most everyday. I don't wash his hooves but I do pic them out everyday. I put hoof maker every day on my horse's hooves which has always seems to help them out I have used this for years
5. Standing horses and ponies in water is an effective treatment for dry hoof so water doesn't dry the hooves. It isn't necessary to wash the hooves daily unless you're teating a current problem. Ask your vet or stop by your local feed and tack shop and ask about nutritional supplements and other topical applications.
6. Washing hooves everyday? I've never heard of such a thing. Typically if you want to moisturize the hooves you use hoof moisturizing lotions. For example, you can buy a product called RainMaker. It comes with a brush and you just apply the moisturizer daily. You can also use Mane and Tails Hoof Maker. You apply it with your fingers and it's good for your own nails. There are many products on the market designed for keeping hooves pliable and moisturized. Washing them every day doesn't make much sense if you aren't going to lock that moisture in with a good product. Good luck!
7. washing your horses hoofs unnecessarily will crack and dry them out i have event horses and unless its necessary never wash there hooves i never use hoof oil either unless I'm competing and use a hoof wax just to shine the hoof it drys the hoof out and causes more problems in the long run,i use a product called farriers formula in there feed it has biotin and strengthens there hooves its in pellet form and you add it to the feed and it promotes healthy hoof growth and strengthens there hoof its a supplement Ive been using for years and its made my horses feet crack free and prevents them loosing shoes.another product i use is called keraton its a paint on liquid which also strengthens the hoof,its expensive but it is applied once a week and for my horses it works they hardily ever loose a shoe and the farrier i use says my horses have lovely hooves and strong before i used the product,my horses feet were chipped and brittle and never kept shoes on this stuff worked wonders
8. keraton is ace,I used on mare who went to stud and her back shoes were removed, it is expensive, but worth it..."no foot no oss" a friend of mine swears by vigin olive oil...can't see how that would do any harm!!??
9. Hoof oil will actually dry the hooves out...water (an old fashioned remedy) will keep them moist! www.2012sportshorses.com
10. I've never heard of washing a horses feet every day whether or not they are dirty. I've also always just brushed the dirt off the fronts and picked out the frogs (except at shows when they get a good scrubbing), and even when muddy have preferred to let the mud dry before removing the dirt. I had an older horse with brittle feet, to keep him moisturized my farrier recommended keeping him out of standing water and applying the following mixture to his hoof, coronet bands, heel and frogs every other day: 1 part rendered lard 1 part Pine Tar (heat them in a double boiler to mix them, put in a coffee can and brush on with a paint brush!) Farrier's Formula is a good substitute if you don't want to go through the hassle. The Pine Tar is to prevent fungal infections from the hoof being too moist. If I were you the FIRST thing I would do is talk to your FARRIER, he/she is the hoof expert, not some random person who is a neurotic hoof cleaner! Moist feet can lead to a myriad of problems, including thrush and founder. Consulting with your farrier and/or vet is probably your best bet!
11. My farrier science instructor told us that mud is nature's hoof conditioner. When I worked for a show stable horses that were worked hard(and thus sweaty)were rinsed off everyday after they cooled down,obvisouly their hooves got wet too. What is more important is their diet I believe. Of course having to stand around in a wet pasture without a spot to stand that is dry/a dirty stall is not good for their hooves either,but washing their hooves shouldn't hurt although washing them everyday seems rather strange.
12. Oiling horses hoof's everyday will eventully dry them out - its not natural - i have seen this in many horses!! I wash my horses feed if they come in with wet mud - to stop mud fever but not everyday! Hoof ointments are the best - ask your farrier - also you can get feed specially for hoofs!