A r t i c l e s A n d C a s e
S t u d i e s
Hoofbaths
Fortunately, the best hoof moisturiser is free - water!
A horse in it's natural environment will spend time each day
with it's hooves submerged in water while it drinks, plays,
cools off, etc. As a consequence, the horse's hooves have
evolved to require water to it's hooves daily to prevent them
from drying out and keep them elastic and supple.
Hoof horn contains a great deal of water, which is constantly
being leeched through air, dry ground, riding rings etc.
According to Dr Hiltrud Strasser, in her book A Lifetime of Soundness, 10-15 minutes of
immersion in water past th coronet band is sufficient in a
day to keep your horse's hooves healthy.
Unfortunately, with domestic environments, watering troughs
are usually above the ground, so that when the horse drinks,
his hooves are not exposed to water as they naturally should.
therefore, it is up to the horse owner to ensure this basic
requirement is met.
There are countless ways to do this, some of which are
outlined below.
Construct a Hoof Bath
This hoofbath is made from about NZ$70 worth of concrete,
delivered in a concrete truck and shaped into a hoof bath. A
very simple and cost-effective hoof bath that also doubles as
a feed bay (to save time).
Convert a breeding stall
This is a breeding stall that has been easily converted into
a hoofbath by using rubber matting, and silicon fill. A safe
and effective way to soak your horses hooves.
Buckets and Hoofboots
Buckets are a cheap way to soak your horse's hooves, as long
as your horse is well trained! Hoof boots are another great
idea, that will velcro on to your horses pastern to keep it
in place. Another idea is inner tube tyres, which can be cut to fit your horse's
hoof, and tied together with twine.
Puddles
Why fix those puddles when they can benefit your horse? As
long as they are deep enough to cover the pastern, a decent
puddle makes an excellent soaking bath for your horse. A more
permanent solution is to dig a hole and line with rubber or
plastic. An old piece of carpet can be used to prevent
slipping.
On the Trails
Riding at the beach or stopping for a play in a river or lake
is a fun way to soak your horse's hooves!
If you have any other ideas, please email them with a photo
to teresa@naturalhoof.co.nz and I'll add
them to the list.
For more information about any Natural Hoof Products,
please contact:
Teresa Ramsey
Natural Hoof
Ph 07 862 7077 (bus)
email: info@naturalhoof.co.nz
or visit our shop to purchase online.
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reserves the right to change or edit any part of
all articles and case studies submitted to this
website. Natural Hoof does not take any
responsibility for the content of any articles
and/or case studies and/or any misapplication of the information presented in any articles. Natural Hoof presumes readers consult a professional for more information about any topic covered in any Natural Hoof article.
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