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Iodine
Dec 19, 2005 9:59:54 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 19, 2005 9:59:54 GMT 2
Hi all
Just wondering if anyone has experience using Iodine on their horse's feet? My barefoot horse's soles are a little tender on gravel (he has only been without the front shoes for 4 months) so someone suggested I put iodine on his soles to toughen them up and try prevent bruising when he doesnt have his Old Macs on. He is 100% on the grass.
I am just wondering how iodine toughens the sole - does it have a drying action? Also, anyone know where one could get iodine, or if there are any other toughening products you have had success with?
Thanks!
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Iodine
Dec 19, 2005 10:07:34 GMT 2
Post by Salinero on Dec 19, 2005 10:07:34 GMT 2
I use the hoof and sole hardener ... very good stuff. Iodine is good, but I find it messy. You can get it from any pharmacy. Just be careful to keep it in an airtight container as iodine evaporates quite rapidly.
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Iodine
Dec 19, 2005 10:28:21 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 19, 2005 10:28:21 GMT 2
Thanks Sal. Do these products harden the sole by drying it out? Thats what I am worried about...
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Iodine
Dec 19, 2005 10:39:01 GMT 2
Post by Salinero on Dec 19, 2005 10:39:01 GMT 2
No, I don't think they dry the sole out. I've never had problems with cracks or chips. If I have cracks or a hoof drying out its more because of the sand that my horse is standing on than the iodine. My farrier advised me to keep a muddy patch at the water trough in the paddock ... that way the hoof absorbs moisture whenever they go for a drink.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 10:17:47 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 20, 2005 10:17:47 GMT 2
Just for everyone's interest ... I did some research on Hoof and Sole Hardener after Sal's recommendation and it does work by drying the sole out... see an excerpt below: Hoof and Sole Hardener consists of Phenol, Formaldehyde and Iodine. It hardens the sole and dries the sole out up to 2 mm deep.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 10:29:13 GMT 2
Post by dee on Dec 20, 2005 10:29:13 GMT 2
I've just oprdered some for Orlando as he is very tender on stones. Should I not use it then Michy? I need to do something for him cause he is almost cripple on gravel roads and that is all we have to ride on. We used to use Iodine on the horses coronary band at racing stables to assist in the growth of the hoof. Do you want me to phone my ex and ask about putting it on the soles? He is very clued up on feet.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 10:33:40 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 20, 2005 10:33:40 GMT 2
You must do what you think is right Dee - could be a good idea for you up there in summer as it is wet, and the wet ground may be softening his soles in which case the drying action could be beneficial. I just think its so dry down here at the moment that any more drying would be detrimental
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 10:55:56 GMT 2
Post by dee on Dec 20, 2005 10:55:56 GMT 2
Michy just spoke to Brendan and he says iodine much better than Hoof and Sole hardener. Just be careful not to get it on his skin. He said to put vaseline on the heels and surrounding skin so that it doesn't blister.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 10:59:10 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 20, 2005 10:59:10 GMT 2
Thanks Dee! Does he just get iodine from the chemist? From what I hear it is way too strong to be used like that and should be mixed with something ... do you know what concentration he uses?
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 11:08:51 GMT 2
Post by Salinero on Dec 20, 2005 11:08:51 GMT 2
Interesting... Michy, do you use hoof oil by any chance?
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 11:12:21 GMT 2
Post by dee on Dec 20, 2005 11:12:21 GMT 2
He said to put on neat just make sure not to get on skin of horse cause it will blister. At the racing stables we used to put it on with a toothbrush. We used to buy the brown/orangey iodine in 500ml bottles from the chemist. But it does work on a similar principal to the Hoof & Sole Hardener in that it drys out the hoof thereby hardening it.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 11:14:14 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 20, 2005 11:14:14 GMT 2
No I definately dont use hoof oil, its the worst stuff! New research shows that it blocks the hoof from absorbing moisture rather than moisturising it ... i.e. the nett effect is that the hoof becomes drier *sigh* we cant win! A nice product that I use now and then is the Cornucrescine Hoof Moisturiser - its one of the ones in the new range, and is water based so does not block absorption of water and does nice moisturising job It is totally different from that original sticky brown Cornucrescine stuff.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 11:17:33 GMT 2
Post by Michy on Dec 20, 2005 11:17:33 GMT 2
Ok thanks Dee! I would only want to put it on the soles though, to try toughen them. His walls are very good, not a chip in sight and I dont want to dry them out. Have heard one should avoid the frog as well?
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 11:26:01 GMT 2
Post by dee on Dec 20, 2005 11:26:01 GMT 2
I forget to ask but I would imagine you would avoid the frog yes. I can phone again if you like or I can send you his number. I must admit he is the most knowledgable horse person I have ever come accross. His grand dad was trainer, dad trainer (trained a Met Winner) and he has grown up with horses and using old fashioned remedies etc that really work. Just that he is very difficult to get off the phone once you start talking to him. He's brilliant with all joint problems, tendons etc and has worked for the top trainers in the country as well as training himself. At one stage he was the youngest trainer in the country with the highest percentage of winners and he has never resoted to steroids or anything harmful substances. His dad taught Gonda Bertrix to ride.
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Iodine
Dec 20, 2005 11:30:09 GMT 2
Post by Salinero on Dec 20, 2005 11:30:09 GMT 2
Yes, hoof oil is not good. You should use a lanolin based product - I use hannover's hoof dressing which works really well. As for drying the sole out, you need that a little to harden the foot. A moisture rich sole will tend to be a lot softer than a drier sole. I have use the hoof and sole hardener and the iodine for quite some time and never had any problems. As long as you moisturize the outside hoof wall (by using a lanolin based product) the sole should be fine.
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