Many horse owners tend to overlook the fact that as tough as equine hoof horn may appear, it is 95% protein (similar to your own skin). One should avoid use of any product that will denature protein and affect the normal function of the hoof tissue or that seals oxygen away from the hoof. Besides bleach, iodine and copper, one should also avoid remedies containing grease, motor oil, pine tar, formaldehyde, acetone, and turpentine.

For example, pure pine tar is a hard material. In order to make pine tar into a consistency that can be applied to the hoof, a solvent such as turpentine must be added. Pine tar itself does not denature protein; however, a solvent will not only convert tar into liquid, it will convert hoof wall into liquid. The ‘softening’ of the hoof wall by the solvent is sometime misinterpreted as moisturizing the hoof wall. It is unlikely that moisture is added because pine tar is hydrophobic (repels water).

If the hoof contains damaged areas such as cracks, abscess drainage channels, old nail holes or other defects that allow access to sensitive tissue, harsh solvents will kill any existing damaged tissue and worse, will severely damage new tissue growth. True, it is necessary to stop any bacteria or germs that may cause infection similar to the manner in which one should clean a wound on ones own body. However, once the infected area has been cleansed it becomes necessary to keep it clean and dry and allow for oxygen exposure to start the healing process.

A good rule regarding hoof dressings: never apply a hoof dressing to your horse’s hooves that you would not use on your own hands.

J. Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS
Founder of Life Data Labs, Inc.
Developer of Farrier’s Formula^®