HOOF CARE ESSENTIALS

When you apply hoof dressing, what exactly do you think you are doing?   Moisturizing?  Well it helps but not in terms of moisture.  This moisture that the hoof needs comes from within the body of the horse.  A lot of factors are important to remember for good hoof flexibility and pliability.  When you apply hoof dressing what you are doing is providing a protective coating, making the evaporation of the moisture within slow down.  You are not adding moisture.  Moisture retention can be interrupted by several hoof situations, the removal of the natural outer covering, the peripole, that is scratched off by riding in sandy environments, and a farrier's rasp.  This waxy covering helps moisture retention and when it is removed, the moisture evaporates at a much higher rate, this in turn can make hooves dry and brittle.   So, the application of hoof dressing a few times a week helps in that regard acting as a protective covering.  Biotin, a supplement, that is advertised to promote hoof condition and growth is popular but.....  keep in mind that biotin is produced in the hind gut of the horse, if the flora is not interrupted in the gut, there is adequate biotin production.  If you have dry brittle hooves, keep the horse hydrated, replace outer protective coating with hoof dressing if you are riding in an abrasive environment, a soggy environment does't make the hoof soggy, it just doesn't allow for proper moisture evaporation.  Urine soaked stalls or paddocks are also responsible for the removal of the outer covering.  Keeping the hooves in good condition is the means to keeping the legs healthy since the frog is the circulatory pump, upon compression, the blood is delivered to the lower limb.  Post your questions and concerns, there is alot more to learn about the hoof and it's condition