Step 1: Gather Horse Hoof Care Products
Before you get started, gather all of the horse hoof care supplies you’ll need. It’s important to keep these items close at hand, as certain steps require you to hold the horse hoof up, while moving to the next step. Make sure you have all of the following…
Horse Hoof Care Products:
- Diaper
- Hoof pick
- Brush (steel or hard brush)
- EquiFit Pack-n-Stick hoof tape
- Duct Tape
- Treatment Paste
- Hoof Boot
- TuffRider TuffWrap
- Soaking Boot
Step 2: Clean and Treat the Hoof
It’s crucial that your horse’s hoof is as clean as possible before starting to wrap it. Dirt will trap bacteria and infection and prevent the treatment you’re using from being fully effective.
Use a hoof pick to thoroughly clean out the hoof and take the time to look over the hoof carefully. Unless there’s an open wound, a steel brush or hard brush is a great way to remove trapped dirt and debris. Has the injury changed? Does it look better or worse? Now is the perfect time to take photo updates to send to your veterinarian or farrier as needed. Remember, always ask for professional help prior to treating your horse for any suspected hoof issue.
Step 3: Apply Treatment
There are many different ways to treat your horse’s hoof, from over the counter horse hoof care products to DIY concoctions. Always ask your vet before applying anything to your horse’s hooves and work with them closely throughout the process. Read product instructions carefully before applying, as they will guide you as to the specifics of each individual product. Be aware that some products require the use of gloves.
If you’re applying a paste, the general rule of thumb is to use your hands to spread the product across the frog and sole of the hoof. If you’re using an oil-based or thin product, use a brush to thinly spread the product across the sole and frog.
Using your hands to apply product is an effective but messy process. Oily substances, like sunscreen or canola oil, work best to remove sticky residue from your hands.
Once you’ve applied the product you’re using, do not put the hoof back on the ground. Instead, keep the hoof elevated and move on to step two.
Popular Horse Hoof Care Products:
- Farnam Forshners Hoof Pack
- Sore No More Performance Poultice
- Runners Relief Hoof Pack
- Runners Relief Soak Powder
Step 4: Put On the Diaper
The diaper is used to contain the horse hoof care product and provide a light cushioning effect while the horse walks. Have the diaper already open and ready for application prior to picking up the horse hoof.
Imagine the hoof is a baby. Place the heel of the hoof in the cup of the diaper and wrap it forward across the toe. The tabs will close around the horse’s fetlock and the smooth front of the diaper will be across the front of the horse hoof. The area of the diaper with the most cushioning should be over the sole of the horse hoof.
You can now safely place the hoof back on dry ground. Do not place the diaper into a wet area as the diaper will soak up the liquid and deteriorate.
Step 5: Add Durability with TuffWrap
Applying a self-adhesive bandage over the diaper adds to the durability of the wrap and helps prevent the diaper and paste from moving around.
A few important precautions before you begin this step. All self-adhesive bandages should be applied with care. Wrap them around the hoof so they will fit snugly, however be sure not to overtighten the wrap. A wrap that’s too tight can cause more problems than good. To avoid putting too much pressure on the sensitive coronet band, try to keep the TuffWrap mostly on the hardened keratin of the hoof, not on the pastern.
Start the TuffWrap at the heel and pull towards the horse’s toe. Continue this motion while moving the wrap higher and lower, until the sole of the hoof is covered. Take a sharp pair of scissors and carefully cut a small “v” shape into the very top at the front of the wrap. This vent reduces pressure across the foot.
Step 6: Tape the Horse Hoof
A combination of duct tape and the EquiFit Horse Hoof Tape will make the wrap water resistant and prevent liquids from soaking into the diaper, which deteriorates the wrap quickly. However, even with the tape, you should not turn your horse out on wet days with a wrapped hoof.
EquiFit Horse Hoof Tape is a durable anatomically-shaped tape that features a strong adhesive to ensure adherence to the hoof, even overnight. To apply, simply peel off a corner of the backing to reveal the adhesive and press the area to the hoof, starting with the heel. Then pull off the backing while continuing to adhere the tape to the TuffWrap, moving towards the toe of the hoof, similar to applying a band-aid.
Once the entire sole is covered and all of the backing has been removed, slide your hands around the sole of the hoof to apply the tape to the outside of the hoof wall before placing the hoof back down on the ground. The EquiFit Horse Hoof Tape should cover the entire sole, the toe, the heel, and about halfway to three quarters of the way up the outside of the horse hoof.
To avoid any gaps in the tape, pull off a strip of duct tape and snugly apply it horizontally to where the top of the EquiFit Horse Hoof Tape meets the diaper. Avoid putting tape over the sensitive coronet band and up onto the pastern. If you have to apply tape higher up the hoof, cut a “v”-shaped notch into the front of the duct tape for pressure relief.
Step 7: Step Into a Horse Hoof Boot
Now that the horse hoof is wrapped in a diaper, TuffWrap, and tape, you have the option to insert the foot into a horse hoof boot. A hoof boot will elongate the lifespan of the wrap, as well as prevent liquids from working their way into the bandage and deteriorating the materials and horse hoof care products.
For horses with highly painful hoof conditions, such as abscesses and laminitis, the EasyCare Cloud Horse Hoof Boot offers the most pressure relief. The Cloud Horse Hoof Boot is a therapeutic hoof boot system designed to provide comfort and support to horses with thin soles, abscesses, founder, laminitis, or to horses who are recovering after workouts or are stalled on hard surfaces.
After selecting the correct size hoof boot for your horse (find the size chart here), simply slide the horse hoof into the boot and encourage the horse to step backwards, putting all their weight on the hoof, to ensure it is fully seated in the boot. Finally, secure the hook-and-loop closure.
Get The Horse Hoof Care Supplies You Need on Breeches.com
Our team here at Breeches.com prioritizes equine welfare. That’s why we pride ourselves on providing quality horse hoof products at affordable prices. Whether your horse is dealing with chronic lameness issues or you’re looking for ways to prevent and treat thrush, white line disease, and more, we’ve got the horse hoof care products you need at the prices you want.