Hoof oil, Hoof ointment, Hoof sprays & Co.: What are they for?
We will answer your questions together with Elisabeth Pikhart from Hufoel.at as part of our hoof special.
First, we will explain how the hoof is constructed so that you can better understand what actually happens in the hoof.
What are the differences between Hoof tar, Hoof ointment, Hoof oil, etc.?
Most hoof oils and hoof ointments are based on mineral oil. These products are usually inexpensive as petroleum is cheap to produce. Petroleum is refined, and a colourant can be added if desired to create green, yellow, black or white pastes that make the hoof shine darker or lighter. The problem with these products is that the hoof can no longer breathe and therefore cannot absorb water. The fat clogs the capillaries of the hoof. In the case of existing hoof problems, often caused by bacteria, these are trapped and can multiply happily in the residual moisture of the hoof. This usually worsens the hoof quality even more.
What is the effect of hoof tar?
In the past, hoof tar was used primarily for parade horses to give their hooves a noble shine and to darken light-coloured hooves so that the horses’ hooves all looked as similar as possible (to match the shiny black polished boots of the riders). It also helped to prevent thrush in “deep litter” stabling, as it was more common in the past. Nowadays, hoof tar is mainly recommended to prevent thrush, as it protects the frog from moisture. Although hoof tar has an antibacterial effect, it also closes the pores of the hoof, thus trapping bacteria in the hoof.
Oil-water emulsions
These hoof emulsions, which we also know as an ordinary ointments, can be made thicker or thinner depending on whether more oil or more water is added. The effect depends on the type of oil used: If natural plant oils are used, the pores remain open, and the hoof can work normally. So, you have to read the declaration carefully – if it is labelled – in order to understand the ingredients. The idea is that they make the hoof more supple, in a similar way to how a face cream that we apply in the morning after showering protects the skin from drying out. It is often used to try to improve dry, cracked hoof horn. However, this only helps to a limited extent, because a healthy horse does not need such care products. A healthy horse’s hooves look naturally smooth and slightly shiny. Dry and cracked hooves are always an indication that something is going wrong in the metabolism, and this is where you should start.
Sprays
Hoof sprays usually consist of a mixture of water and alcohol with other additives. Although these sprays have an antibacterial effect, their use often does not lead to better hoof regeneration. If you use a spray for thrush, for example, it will most likely stop within a few days, but it will start again just as quickly. Sprays like these should be used for longer than you think, given that the bacteria nestle in the deeper layers, and the product has to ‘take effect’ there first. In addition, alcohols have a drying effect as they dissolve the fats that are naturally contained in the hoof horn which makes it supple. Therefore, they should only be used locally at the sites of the thrush and not over a large area.
Hoof oils based on essential oils
The essential oils are obtained either exclusively from the flowers or from the whole plant. In the case of citrus fruits, the essential oil is extracted from the peel by cold pressing. In other plants, extraction can also be done by steam distillation. In this process, the plants are placed in a container and water vapour is generated. As the vapour passes through the plant parts, it breaks open the plant cells. The essential oil dissolves in the vapour. This is then cooled, and the pure essential oil is obtained.
Plants produce essential oils, for example, as protection against natural enemies such as fungi, bacteria or insects. Therefore, there are numerous essential oils with antibacterial, blood-thinning, tissue-building or fungicidal properties. Hoof oils benefit from the same properties.
Positive results have already been achieved in cases of laminitis. Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof corium. This means that anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant drugs are needed, which is also used by administering medication, so that the areas of the hoof corium damaged by laminitis can regenerate better.
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What is the meaning of rings on hooves?
Rings in the hooves usually indicate a metabolic disorder, in that the rings are caused by varying growth rates and horn qualities. The disturbance can be caused by incorrect feeding, detoxification disorders, medication or stress, which in turn are often accompanied by thrush or subclinical laminitis. It is not helpful to just treat the hoof or to ‘smoothen’ it, but to look at the metabolic disorder and treat that, then the hoof growth will normalise naturally.
What is hoof nail varnish or glitter varnish?
Nail varnish can be made in a number of different ways, using both mineral and natural oils. The glitter itself has no effect on the hoof, as it simply falls off over time. Here, too, it is important to pay attention to the composition of the hoof oil. If you want to put glitter on your horse’s hooves, for example for a show, we recommend using a natural product, even if the glitter effect may not last as long as with conventional products. The hoof mechanism is not affected as a result!
Changing from a metal to a plastic shoe: is switching that easy?
Both shoes, metal or glue-on horseshoes are designed to protect the hoof from excessive wear when a horse spends a lot of time walking on hard, abrasive surfaces. Their effect on the hoof mechanism, however, is very different. Which hoof protection is useful in individual cases – or not – must always be decided by a competent hoof trimmer on an individual horse-by-horse basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give a general answer.
What encourages hoof growth?
Some essential oils can help the hoof to grow back more effectively. It normally takes a year for the hoof to grow back completely. With the right hoof oil, this growth can be accelerated to 6-9 months, which is beneficial for certain hoof problems. In such cases, you can seek advice to find out why faster hoof growth is necessary – or whether it is perhaps not speed but horn quality that is the issue. A slightly different approach may be needed in this case. There are many options, but it always depends on the exact problem of the individual horse.
When does a horse need to be shod?
The decision to shoe a horse depends mainly on the nature of the surface on which the horse moves, as well as on the frequency and intensity of training. For example, in environments with a lot of stones, gravel or asphalt where the horse is often out and about, it can happen that the hooves wear down quickly and excessively. In such cases, hoof protection, whether in the form of a horseshoe or hoof boots, can be useful. It is recommended to keep horses barefoot, if possible, as this is best for hoof health.
What to do about bad hooves in winter?
In winter, many horses can develop problems such as thrush, broken walls, hollow walls or white line disease, which are often associated with bacterial or fungal infections. However, this is not the only cause. It also depends on whether the horse has a strong immune system and a balanced metabolism. The horse should therefore always be considered as a whole. It is not enough just to apply oil or another care product to the hoof. Therefore, we recommend: If your horse has hoof problems, you should consult a hoof expert and also call upon a competent veterinarian and a therapist to take a holistic approach to the problem. If you also need a good hoof oil to promote hoof growth, improve hoof quality or support hoof diseases such as thrush, we recommend the products from www.hufoel.at.
🇬🇧 We are an experienced team of therapists specializing in feed consultation and integrated therapies for horses. With extensive experience in treating metabolic issues, we focus on natural, species-appropriate feeding and proven naturopathic remedies to enhance your horse's health. Benefit from our expertise to ensure the well-being of your horse.
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