Guarenteed hoof softening method

CharOLay · 08-31-2007, 10:39 AM

After standing our mini mule in four inches of water for three hours and the soles of his hooves still where as hard as rocks, I realized there had to be a better way. Solution: I cut the ends out of tube socks, filled two with Hoof Flex and the other with Pine Tar.....to compare which might work the best. Slip the sock, with the softening agent against the bottom of the hoof. Then, put a pad of severl times folded ALUMINUM FOIL, over the bottom of hoof, making sure it extends over the bottom, up the outside hoof wall. Then using Vet wrap, securely wrap into place. Next using Gorilla Tape (new item that can be gotten in any hardware store......Walmart etc......makes Duct Tape look whimpy), lay out enough strips next to each other to make a pad that will cover the bottom of the hoof and up the outer hoof wall.....then secure in place by wrapping around the hoof with the Gorilla Tape. Don't worry if it doesn't look 'pretty'. Try to confine the animal to a stall or small corral. After four days of having his hooves wrapped, when we trimmed him, we found that his terribly hard soles that couldn't be pared out with the most expensive hoof knife........the excess sole could be pared out with the hoof pick. Where it took 20 minues before of trying to pare the sole back and then trim rock hard outer walls..........was literally cut down to 5 minutes. We found that it didn't make any difference between the two products that we used. We have used this method on all our other horses and it has worked like a charm on all of them. The real secret is the aluminum foil, as it holds the moisture against the hoof, not allowing it to dry out. Plus of course the Golilla tape.......which will make the toughest pad going. My vet uses it as the bottom wrap on full casts that he has on legs..........the casts can stay on longer because the animal hasn't wore the bottom through. I hope this helps anyone with their horses extreemly hard and dry feet..................one thing, I do know, your farrier will be so gratefull!!!!

jkponies · 08-31-2007, 02:22 PM

That is a good idea, and you're right, my farrier would be thankful, especially when he has to trim the pony's hard little feet!

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08-31-2007, 10:39 AM
CharOLay Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2	Guarenteed hoof softening method After standing our mini mule in four inches of water for three hours and the soles of his hooves still where as hard as rocks, I realized there had to be a better way. Solution: I cut the ends out of tube socks, filled two with Hoof Flex and the other with Pine Tar.....to compare which might work the best. Slip the sock, with the softening agent against the bottom of the hoof. Then, put a pad of severl times folded ALUMINUM FOIL, over the bottom of hoof, making sure it extends over the bottom, up the outside hoof wall. Then using Vet wrap, securely wrap into place. Next using Gorilla Tape (new item that can be gotten in any hardware store......Walmart etc......makes Duct Tape look whimpy), lay out enough strips next to each other to make a pad that will cover the bottom of the hoof and up the outer hoof wall.....then secure in place by wrapping around the hoof with the Gorilla Tape. Don't worry if it doesn't look 'pretty'. Try to confine the animal to a stall or small corral. After four days of having his hooves wrapped, when we trimmed him, we found that his terribly hard soles that couldn't be pared out with the most expensive hoof knife........the excess sole could be pared out with the hoof pick. Where it took 20 minues before of trying to pare the sole back and then trim rock hard outer walls..........was literally cut down to 5 minutes. We found that it didn't make any difference between the two products that we used. We have used this method on all our other horses and it has worked like a charm on all of them. The real secret is the aluminum foil, as it holds the moisture against the hoof, not allowing it to dry out. Plus of course the Golilla tape.......which will make the toughest pad going. My vet uses it as the bottom wrap on full casts that he has on legs..........the casts can stay on longer because the animal hasn't wore the bottom through. I hope this helps anyone with their horses extreemly hard and dry feet..................one thing, I do know, your farrier will be so gratefull!!!!

08-31-2007, 02:22 PM
jkponies Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bardstown KY Posts: 430	That is a good idea, and you're right, my farrier would be thankful, especially when he has to trim the pony's hard little feet! __________________ Cowboy codes: A cowboy always helps someone in need, even a stranger or an enemy.