Yesterday, before my lesson, my trainer asked me what was on my horse’s hooves. When I replied that it was Hooflex, she was visibly angry. She replied that Hooflex was a product that was horrible for horses. Her main point was that since my horse is in a sprinkler watered pasture (the small sprinkler is probably on for about four staggered hours a day), his feet already encounter moisture enough. Keep in mind that I live in a desert in California. I replied that when I lived in Ohio, my farrier recommended we use Hooflex during the wet seasons, like the snowy winters and wet summers. She replied that a watered pasture had more moisture than a snowy pasture :lol:, and made it sound like prolonged use of Hooflex would affect my horse’s hooves so much that my gelding would go lame. I wish this was a troll, but I am very startled. Is it true that Hooflex is so bad for horses? 
I have used hoof dressings during our soggy, humid summers when my horses are on night turnout. It helps to keep some of the moisture out and keeps hooves from getting too very soggy. I have not used Hooflex but I know lots of people that do and are happy with the results.
Here’s the thing - that trainer works for you, right? You are paying her - not the other way around. It is your horse, not her’s. See what I’m getting at?
Hooves should be hard and Dry. Goops, goos, salves etc, all containing petroleum products, are not meant to be on a hoof. It only sets up an unhealthy environment, inviting every yeast and bacteria to move in and chow down on the hoof tissue.
The hoof gets enough moisture from the wash rack/puddles etc, with the rest coming internally via feed.
I use Hoof heal 3X before I rinse or expected rain. The moisture just beads off and doesn’t penetrate his hoof. Actually helped his feet dry out a bit. It also helped a case of thrushiness that was starting from having wet front feet all the time.I didn’t think it was ever going to quit raining.
^^All of this. Any competent farrier will tell you the same thing. Oils/dressings/ointments are extremely damaging to hooves.
I use hooflex or a similar dressing before I hose off horses. I find that it does temporarily shed water from the hoof wall and keeps some excess moisture from getting in nail holes. It mostly gets washed off, but it helps somewhat.
As a rule, I apply keratex daily before riding- that does the most to help strengthen the wall. Then if the horse is sweaty, I use a greasy product before hosing off. A dry foot is a good foot!
Wouldn’t be putting that goop on my horses hooves. Their hooves are getting plenty of moisture with all the rain. We’ve had 4 plus inches in 24 hours. Barnyard is mud and water every where,not a dry place for horses to stand.
I think it’s appropriate for a trainer to give you advice about horse care, but becoming visibly angry about you using Hooflex? The trainer needs to get a life.
Ask your current farrier/trimmer about it, and then follow his/her recommendation.
In general, I think the tide of opinion has turned against all manner of hoof dressings, except for specific products that treat thrush or assist in hardening.
As so many things with horses…it depends. Hooflex, and many other hoof dressings can help maintain moisture balance. There are some natural options that do not contain petroleum products as well if that is a concern. Hooves are like wood, they don’t like going from wet to dry to wet to dry. That constant expanding and contracting of the tubules of the hoof wall is what causes cracking (along with poor quality farrier work and nutrition), much like the expanding and contracting of wood will cause splintering. Hoof dressings can help by keeping a balance to the moisture in the hoof - allowing in moisture when needed and keeping out moisture when it becomes excessive. The products that act as “hoof hardeners” are simply sealants - they keep all moisture out. A hoof dressing applied properly will do the same, and interestingly enough, hoof polish will do the same too. You’d have to apply an obscene amount of hoof dressing repeatedly to cause any damage to the hoof wall. Similarly, overdoing it with sealants can be equally as damaging - everything in moderation. Use products as they are labeled, talk to your farrier, and you’ll be fine.
Extremely damaging? I’m not sure I’d think avocado and tea tree oil would be extremely damaging, but it may not be doing anything useful, either.
I agree that it isn’t out of place for your trainer to give advice, but getting angry? That’s a little overblown. Ask your farrier what he/she thinks; if it’s useful/not useful, and/or if there is a better product. Or maybe, that no product is necessary and you can save some money.
Thanks for the advice, all of you. I decided to retire the hooflex, at least until the trainer goes out of town :lol:
^^This. But I only ever used vegetable oil instead of expensive products.
When I got my first horse about 25 years ago, I had a small jar of Hooflex. Applied it once a week. One time my farrier saw it in my grooming tote and asked how often I applied it. When I told him, he said, “Well, that’s OK then. I certainly wouldn’t use it any more frequently than that”. When it ran out I never replaced it.
It was a popular thing way back when and I did use it in the 1980’s off and on . Didn’t cause any damage to the hooves. I probably applied it a couple times a week.
