From time to time I’ll post a few of my favorite things that I like to use, that I’ve learned from, and people that help me out a long the way. In no way am I being paid to recommend these products, and I won’t be making any money if you use these products. I posted a lot of links to Valley Vet only because they sell everything that I love!
Since hooves are on my mind, let’s talk about hoof stuff.
Pete Ramey
Pete Ramey is one of the leading figures in barefoot trimming. He is also the nicest guy, and he goes out of his way to help people struggling with hoof problems. Because of him, I took the plunge into barefoot trimming realizing that I could do this. I was leaning more and more towards it due to Harley and his hooves. One night in a fit of desperation, I ordered several of his dvd’s, ordered his book, and then I finally posted on his list asking for help. If you are interested in learning more about what barefoot trimming is, better ways to treat thrush, order his dvd’s or his book, go to: http://www.hoofrehab.com/
Pete has a much older book on Amazon that he wishes he could get rid of. Out of respect for Pete, I’m not going to tell you the name of that. Pete has learned and changed his ideas quite a bit since that book. The thing I love about Pete is that he is willing to change, willing to answer questions, and willing to share. The book on his website, Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot, which is close to $100, is the book to buy. It has so much information in it with amazing contributions by other veterinarians, etc. It has excellent pictures in it to help you visualize what all of the different authors are contributing. If you decide to get any of the DVD’s, you need to start with the DVD called Under the Horse. This DVD contains 16 hours of instruction, and it is something I watch A LOT! I’m always getting something new out of it. Please read the articles, that he recently updated and are free to read, on his website. They are so informative, and they could help you out a lot. http://www.hoofrehab.com/Articles.html
Heather
My friend Heather is a blessing. I love her dearly, and I finally met her in person when we went to get Dulce. I met her through Pete Ramey’s site. When I asked for help about Harley, she took the time to draw me all of these drawings, so I knew how to trim him. I was absolutely terrified, because so much needed to come off. She guided Derek and I through his first trim, and has been there for me as I’ve learned how to trim all of my horses. She created a video on how to wrap a horse’s hoof with diapers and to treat with sugar and betadine. She does such a great job at demonstrating that I hope she will create more videos soon. If you have a horse that develops an abscess that blows and needs to be treated and protected, watch this video.
Soaks
Good solutions to soak hooves in are a 50/50 mix of apple cider vinegar with water, CleanTrax (see below), or two tablespoons of Lysol in a gallon of water. These solutions are great for fighting off infections, and they don’t destroy any hoof tissue.
Thrush
I’m not even going to bother explaining this. I just refer you to Pete’s article. It is full of information and home remedies that are fantastic for treating thrush. Again nothing he suggests destroys tissue. http://www.hoofrehab.com/Thrush_treatment.htmC
CleanTrax
This stuff is amazing. If you have a horse with a hoof that has any type of infection such as thrush, after a hoof abscess blows, or after any type of injury to the hoof that you worry about an infection starting like a quarter crack, use this! One bottle is poured into a gallon of water, and it lasts for quite awhile, because you don’t have to soak every day with it. One soak can last for 2 to 3 days. It is fantastic, because it doesn’t harm or destroy any hoof tissue like a lot of products out there will. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=d649b27a-bcfa-4e53-a9e2-a1403b868763&sfb=1&itemguid=01fefa2c-6248-4c0b-a496-58bf3790c04b&utm_content=38672&ccd=IFH003&CAWELAID=120295250000093116&CATARGETID=120295250000183373&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDGHQUirthIhU1O4Bk3qugqnD5-W_oktRqgxjNIlJb1qi6w5T94_5d0aAkCxEALw_wcB
EasySoaker Horse Hoof Soaking Boot
Yes, you can get bags, but I love these more. Why? Because I can walk my horses around with them on after pouring in one of the soaking treatments above. Being able to walk them really gets that solution up into the frogs or other needed areas and cleans everything out. And, they last! I’ve had my pair for over a year now, and they’re still like new. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=c1f73f95-f10f-4cf1-bcb2-1fb2ebcdac24&sfb=1&itemguid=c664749a-c923-4652-9cab-4da66e503552&utm_content=31539&ccd=IFH003&CAWELAID=120295250000095937&CATARGETID=120295250000183212&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDG9CblImYevEctVjgLi4jqslpM_1z7sDfhQEcbwZqY6-1g4_V1IQyEaAvjaEALw_wcB
EZ Boot Clouds
I love the EZ Boot clouds. If humans wore shoes with these pads in them, we all would be much nicer to one another. These boots are fantastic if you need to rehab your horse’s hoof after any type of injury or hoof abscess. Dulce had a bunch of sole cut away, so these pads in the boots filled in that area supporting the structures underneath. I really worried about the coffin bone poking through the sole, and I credit these boots with preventing that. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=83f3b1f9-54cb-4107-b0e2-6003378c1959&sfb=1&itemguid=a3629290-bbaa-4d27-aacc-1db8e2bb74d6&utm_content=41249&ccd=IFH003&CAWELAID=120295250000097241&CATARGETID=120295250000183325&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDGQUdppTgJEorrWaVWqACNtKHJNdFTznE1SSmJlWUjg1JHhesoHgdYaAqrcEALw_wcB
Brush
Heather recommended this to me after a client recommended it to her. I love this thing! You can order them through Amazon or buy them at your local grocery store. I fill the reservoir either with Cleantrax, straight apple cider vinegar, or some lysol that I diluted with water. This brush is easy to clean, and you can push the button to aim the stream into the areas that you really need to focus on. I love this for cleaning hooves!!!!!
Hoof Armor
If your horse has thin soles, or if you ride barefoot over rocky areas, try Hoof Armor. I love this stuff! If your horse has thin soles, Hoof Armor will protect the sole and keep it from naturally shedding off. This way more sole will develop on the hoof providing more protection and comfort to your horse. It is very easy to apply. The main thin is you need to get the hooves super, duper clean before you apply, so you need to soak first and scrub away with a brush, dry the hooves off, and then apply. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=c1f73f95-f10f-4cf1-bcb2-1fb2ebcdac24&sfb=1&itemguid=c664749a-c923-4652-9cab-4da66e503552&utm_content=31539&ccd=IFH003&CAWELAID=120295250000095937&CATARGETID=120295250000183212&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDG9CblImYevEctVjgLi4jqslpM_1z7sDfhQEcbwZqY6-1g4_V1IQyEaAvjaEALw_wcB
Flip Flops
This is another Heather idea. If you need some padding for your horses hoof, buy some flip flops. I like to buy men’s size 13 or 14, because they are big enough to size for a horse’s hoof. They provide excellent padding, and they are only $1
Reenchanted Thoroughbreds 