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Natural Hoof Care
Natural Hoof Care – Why?
Natural hoof care is a much better alternative than the traditional options that are proven to be highly toxic, and caustic. Of course, a lot of these chemical nasties such as Copper sulphate for example, DO kill microbes which are harmful to hoof heath. These microbes are responsible for conditions such as seedy toe, white line disease and thrush.
- Soil Accumulation: Overuse poisons the ground, killing beneficial earthworms and crucial soil microorganisms.
- Aquatic Toxicity: It is highly toxic to fish, trout, koi, and aquatic invertebrates.
- Oxygen Depletion: Rapidly killing pond algae causes massive plant decay, which strips oxygen from the water and suffocates fish.
- Animal Sensitivity: Sheep are incredibly sensitive to it, making minor over-exposure rapidly fatal.
- Human Hazard: It causes severe skin and eye irritation, and ingestion leads to severe systemic poisoning or organ damage.
Considering that Copper Sulphate causes severe skin and eye irritation in humans at the very least, care needs to be taken if you use it… ensuring that you do not have it in contact with your skin and especially not ingesting it.
Ingestion can occur by breathing in particles accidentally. It can also be absorbed via the frog in horses if applied topically. If exposed to repeated application over a long period of time, Copper Sulphate can overload the liver of the horse. In addition, Copper Sulphate is caustic and does not differentiate between dead tissue and live tissue in the hoof.
Natural Hoof Care – Alternatives
Natural hoof care starts with making the hoof less desirable to microbes and harmful bacteria. The simplest way to do this is to regularly clean the hooves out thoroughly. The collateral grooves especially, are an area that naturally allow debris, bacteria and moisture to accumulate. Removing mud and debris also opens up the collateral grooves to more oxygen, and that is a great weapon against the harmful bacteria. Improving hoof hygiene is a great natural way to enhance hoof health and discourage harmful microbes from invading.
Additionally, moisture can also be an issue for healthy hooves. Water softens the hoof and this can allow bacteria to invade. All it takes is a sharp stone and the bacteria now has easy access inside the hoof where it can cause issues like abscesses.
Natural Hoof Care – Hoof Clay
Bentonite Hoof clay is an effective tool that can remove excess moisture from the hoof because Bentonite clay is a natural desiccant. It absorbs up to 23 times its weight in water. This process of water absorption makes the hoof harden up.This makes the hoof substantially less resistant to invasion by the harmful microbes. After cleaning out collateral grooves a thin smear of Hoof clay can provide a physical barrier to incursion by harmful microbes. This barrier is permeable to oxygen molecules. It therefore allows anaerobic harmful microbes to still be exposed to oxygen.
Changing the PH level of the hoof environment can also help make the hoof less attractive to harmful microbes. Apple Cider vinegar sprayed onto the sole and frog is a safe and natural spray that alters the PH level of the hoof environment.
Hoof clay made with bentonite clay is also packed with natural ingredients such as honey, zinc oxide and essential oils. These natural hoof care ingredients act as a barrier to invasions by harmful bacteria. Hoof Clay is a safe and effective alternative to dangerous chemicals such as copper sulphate.
References:
1. Properties of Bentonite Clay
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Uses
