September 2006

Keratex And Tuff Stuff Are Hoof Helpers

For soft hooves, tender soles and chipping hooves, these products fill the gaps.

We’re all familiar with hoof dressings and polishes, but there are also several products that claim to seal or strengthen the hoof and protect it from softening, infections, chipping, and cracking. These products do have their place, but we don’t believe they’re for every horse.

Painting on hoof shine is not the same as using a hardener or sealer.

Nature equipped horse’s hooves with their own protective mechanisms. The hoof wall contains waxes and fats that form a solid protective barrier, preventing the loss of moisture to the outside at the same time they prevent easy uptake of moisture. Both the thin, outer coating on the hoof (stratum externum, aka periople) and the more dense portion of the hoof wall (stratum medium) contain these waxes…