[sdawn8806]

so the new boy has overall very good feet. good walls, descent shape but he is slightly flat footed (just like me! lol) so when he steps on a root or walks on gravely roads he seems just a little tender, not in terrible pain, but not completely comfortable. he has shoes on now which helps but i still want to do something to toughen his souls and frog. i thought of using venice turpentine but dont have any experience with it at all. is this the best thing to use? how/how often should i use it?

thanks in advance!

[tbtrainer]

Venice Turpentine works fairly well to toughen up feet, although I have had great luck with Durasole.

If you are going to use Turpentine, get a wooden handled toothbrush, and coat the sole and frog everyday for a few days and see if you notice a difference. If not, I would try the Durasole.

[pippy]

I use stockholm tar mixed with a little copper sulfate and it works really well. Just - if the area where you are is dry find one that doesn't dry the soles as well, the turpintine and stockholm tar are both drying to the hoof and will do more damage than good.

[Asfaloth]

Umm actually... don't put it on the frog... only the sole and definitely do not put it on the top parts of the hoof or anywhere near hair... speaking from personal experience here. Bad things happen when you put it in the wrong places.

Once or twice a week is enough.;

[denraydar]

Originally Posted by tbtrainer

Venice Turpentine works fairly well to toughen up feet, although I have had great luck with Durasole.

If you are going to use Turpentine, get a wooden handled toothbrush, and coat the sole and frog everyday for a few days and see if you notice a difference. If not, I would try the Durasole.

I second the Durasole for toughening the soles and you can put it on the frogs. Jeffers Equine carries it.

[tbtrainer]

Originally Posted by Asfaloth

Umm actually... don't put it on the frog... only the sole and definitely do not put it on the top parts of the hoof or anywhere near hair... speaking from personal experience here. Bad things happen when you put it in the wrong places.

Once or twice a week is enough.;

Depending on the dynamics of the hoof, I have always painted the frogs, and never had an issue! Would love to hear your story!

[sdawn8806]

interesting, i will have to ask around more about putting it on the frog. also i will look into durasole as well. thanks everyone!

[Asfaloth]

When I used it for the first time I put it on the whole bottom of the foot. About two weeks later the frog was hard dry and odd ( too smooth) textured. About a week after that it peeled off in one thick tough layer leaving my horse quite tender for some time.

But the getting on the hair and skin is the bigger concern since it can cause some nasty chemical burns.