Why Are My Horses Hooves Crumbling?

Extremely dry weather draws moisture out of the hoof, causing them to become brittle, crack, chip or crumble. Cold weather with snow and ice conditions are hard on hooves, causing cracks and chips; while wet climates over-saturate hooves, softening and weakening the hoof wall, and allowing thrush to thrive.

Why are my horses hooves flaking?

The flaky material is just a buildup of old sole that has not been worn off by the horse. Some farriers will remove most of this during a trim, while others will leave it to provide extra protection for the horse’s sole.

What can you do for brittle horse hooves?

Treatment of Brittle Hooves in Horses

1. Dietary Changes. Your equine veterinarian may recommend dietary supplements or dietary adjustments to help your horse heal.
2. Trimming. Trimming the hooves followed by shoeing will help ease any discomfort and promote healing.
3. Exercise.

What does hoof rot look like on a horse?

Commonly, an affected horse will have white or gray matter that is moist and spongy appearing in the sulci region (grooves on either side and in the center of the frog) of the hoof. This characteristic growth’s appearance has been described as similar to wet cauliflower with cottage cheese like exudates.

How do you care for dry brittle hooves?

1. Apply hoof moisturizers to the hoof wall and sole during: Dry weather. Periods of brittle or cracking hooves.
2. Provide good nutrition and commercially available hoof supplements to improve hoof quality.
3. Regularly trim your horse’s hooves.

What does Epsom salt do for horses hooves?

Epsom salt is a staple in every horseman’s tack room. Principally used in poultices and hoof packings, Epsom salt draws water out of the body, making it excellent for reducing swelling and removing toxins. If applied as a paste, it generates soothing heat.

What does apple cider vinegar do for horses hooves?

Hoof and Fungus Issues: Thrush and other foot fungus infections can be greatly reduced by a regular spray or soak application of apple cider vinegar to the sole and frog of a horse’s feet. By making the hoof area more acidic, fungus is no longer able to grow well there.

Is wd40 good for horses hooves?

Thick, sticky preparations, such as Vaseline or Crisco, are more effective than thinner ones, such as cooking spray or baby oil. However, avoid using motor oil, WD-40 or other potentially caustic or hazardous substances. If you wouldn’t want it on your own skin, do not apply it to your horse’s feet.

How do I add moisture to my horses hooves?

Use a Proven Hoof Conditioner Regularly
Regularly apply a hoof conditioner that contains phospholipids to promote correct moisture balance. Ensure the conditioner does not contain harmful ingredients and does not block oxygen. A hoof conditioner with antimicrobial properties may help control cracks and crumbling horn.

Is Vaseline good for horses hooves?

No, petroleum jelly is not a good choice for conditioning hooves and can actually dry out and be somewhat irritating. Products with natural resins like pine tar, beeswax, and lanolin are preferable over petroleum jelly.

What strengthens horse hooves?

Some horses, despite a fine-tuned diet, require nutritional help with hoof growth. In these instances, biotin supplementation is warranted. Hooves respond to other nutrients as well, so a well-formulated hoof supplement should contain zinc, iodine, and methionine, in addition to biotin.

What does hoof fungus look like?

The species typically has broad, concentric ridges, with a blunt and rounded margin. The flesh is hard and fibrous, and a cinnamon brown colour. The upper surface is tough, bumpy, hard and woody, varying in colour, usually a light brown or grey. The margin is whitish during periods of growth.

What is hoof sloughing?

A complete avulsion of the hoof capsule due to a loss of connection between the hoof capsule and the distal phalanx. This condition can be caused by severe inflammation (laminitis) or a complete loss of blood circulation to the foot (severe pastern rope injury).

What helps dry flaky skin on horses?

Prevention and treatment
A diet rich in vegetable oils, omega-3 fatty acids, and supplements containing biotin can also promote healthier skin. In terms of treatment, dandruff can be treated with an equine anti-dandruff shampoo, which will dissolve flakes and loosen oily scales.

What does thrush look like on horses hooves?

Thrush is a common anaerobic bacterial infection of the horse’s hoof tissue characterized by a black, necrotic (dead), foul-smelling material. Thrush typically affects the central frog or grooves adjacent to and in the middle the frog (collateral sulci).