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“No hoof, no horse” – there’s a lot of truth in this saying. Proper hoof care is crucial for your horse’s health, performance and well-being. Here you’ll find valuable tips, interesting facts and the right Effol hoof care products for healthy and well-groomed horse hooves.
Effol is here to support you! Discover our product recommendations:
The basics of hoof care
Regular hoof checks before and after riding are an important part of hoof care for horses. Scraping out the hooves removes stones, dirt and manure, which can lead to pressure sores or hoof problems. At the same time, this allows you to spot foreign objects, cracks or injuries at an early stage and provide targeted support for your horse’s hoof health.
A clean stable, pasture and a well-maintained paddock play a key role in your horse’s hoof health. Damp and muddy ground can soften the hooves and lead to hoof problems such as thrush. Very dry ground, on the other hand, can cause the hooves to dry out and become brittle. A balanced and, as far as possible, clean environment is therefore crucial for healthy horse hooves.
Hoof oil is particularly suitable for dry and brittle horse hooves, as it nourishes the hooves and gives them a healthy, well-groomed appearance.
Hoof grease, on the other hand, forms a protective barrier against external moisture and dirt, thereby supporting your horse’s hoof health.
FAQs
In summer, many horses suffer from dry ground and high temperatures. Hooves should be cleaned and checked regularly. Nourishing hoof oils or hoof balms can help maintain the elasticity of the hoof horn. It is also important to ensure sufficient exercise to promote natural blood circulation in the hoof.
Recommended product: Effol Summer Hoof Gel
- Hoof oil is more easily absorbed and is suitable for normal to slightly dry hooves.
- Hoof grease forms a protective layer on the hoof’s surface and can help retain moisture in the hoof for longer. Suitable for very dry or cracked hooves.
For brittle hooves, nourishing hoof oils, hoof balms or hoof greases are suitable, as they help maintain the elasticity of the hoof horn. The choice of product should be based on the individual condition of the hooves.
Recommended products: Effol Hoof Oil Gel colourless or Effol Hoof Oil Gel black
A healthy horse’s hoof has a smooth hoof wall, ideally with no deep cracks, and a firm, healthy frog. The hoof horn should appear elastic and regrow evenly. Furthermore, the horse should move with a regular gait on both firm and soft ground.
Recommended product: Effol Hoof-Oil-Gel colourless or Effol Hoof-Oil-Gel black
Thrush in horses can usually be recognised by a strong, unpleasant odour, dark or crumbly material in the grooves of the frog and, in some cases, increased sensitivity when the hoof is touched or cleaned. The condition often develops when moisture, dirt and bacteria accumulate in the hoof.
Early detection and regular hoof care are important to help prevent thrush from worsening. Clean the hooves thoroughly and use suitable hoof care products to support healthy hoof hygiene.
Recommended product: Effol med Combat Trush Gel Spray