[jhalton]

Champ got a mild case of thrush, - caught it early so it is pretty much cleared up I clean out his hooves regularly, but after this first episode was wondering if there is any way to keep the hooves cleaner? I know funny question - but the mud seems to pack in so hard to his feet and is very hard to remove. Sometimes it is like baked on clay (it feels like it anyway!)

I have seen sometimes on these forums that some people rub vaseline on the clean hoof, which allows the mud to come off easier next time.? But then other people say it just makes it stick...

So, what works best? (or is it just elbow grease lol!) Because the wet weather is starting to arrive so I am sure I will have lots more dirt/mud issues... thankyou

[sweet mustanq]

im interest to know the same thing..

i dont know if this is the answer..i would love if someone corrected me if this isnt a good idea but..

I know alot of people that have race horses and alot of people that event and ive asked them the same question..and they say that they spray PAM the cooking spray on the bottom of the hooves so nothing gets packed into them.

I dont really know if its a good thing for the hooves or not..so idk if you can use it everyday.! ive never tried it myself.

Oh and they also spray pam on the hooves when it snows.

SO like i said..if this isnt a good thing to do..or isnt good for the hooves i would love for someone to speak up!

But thats what ive always heard of people doing.

(:

[Rising Star]

I personally just hose them off with warm water each time I clean them. its so much easier.

[jhalton]

Thankyou Sweet Mustang and Rising Star

Just wondering, would the cooking spray seal it? I guess it would wear off anyway... but what about deep in the frog cleft? Maybe the oil would nourish the feet? (I know you didn't know, but maybe someone else will??)

Unfortunately, I dont have access to warm water in a hose, and it is coming on winter here so water is freezing at the moment. (Thanks tho)

Anybody got more comments on the cooking spray (maybe that WOULD work!) or any other ideas...?

[jhalton]

Anybody else?

[Chester]

I use cooking spray if I have to defrost a freezer. A light spray of it when you finish makes it much easier next time.

It wouldn't hurt to try it once and see what happens. Can't make it harder, surely?

[ShezaBayDoc]

I use it all the time because one of the show rings here is red clay....also use it in the winter if we have ice or snow. Definately helps.

[jhalton]

Thanks Chester - two tips in one!!

Ok, I will try the cooking spray today. )

[sweet mustanq]

yay! everyones going with my idea (:

guess i was right

[jspeer1208]

Thrush doesn't occur w/ just mud(urine/manure is what grows most of the bacteria)...If you stall your horse, make sure the stall stays clean and dry(no urine spots), pick his/her feet out as much as you can when it's wet. I also apply a hoof dressing...it toughens the sole and hoof wall. The biggest thing is keeping their feet out of urine/manure as much as you can help it. I am going through a lot of wet weather myself, and all of that helps me.