How the !@$#!%! does one get Keratex putty out of the can?

[Dr_Doolittle]

So my mare is dealing with some white line separation as the result of a laminitis episode this past summer - farrier recommended medicated putty (which means I have to clean the area, dry it, pack the putty in and wrap the foot to within an inch of its life - all done in her enclosure with no place to do it in a "clean area’ - and no one to help me and hold her), and though I have managed to do this regularly enough so as to make improvements, farrier suggested Keratex putty because it stays in.

My hands are pretty crippled with arthritis.

(I remember using this putty a decade or two ago but had forgotten how HARD this stuff is! Oy.)

Anyway, on the can it says: “Work the putty with your hands until soft”, yeah right.

I managed to dig into it with a knife, but it’s not like you can heat the CAN in a microwave prior to using it! DH suggested that I pry out enough pieces with the knife to form into a filling for the white line at the toe - but even this seems impossible considering the consistency.

Has anyone else figured out a way to manipulate this stuff?? TIA!

[luvmyhackney]

I use hoof doctor putty vs Keratex, I can’t get it malleable without heating it with a heat gun. Hoof Doctor putty is so much easier on my hands.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Good to know!

Of course I have now paid $25 for the putty (not including shipping!), and opened it…

[Peggy]

Use a hair dryer to heat? Not as powerful as a heat gun but might work.

How flammable is it? Just to be safe, heat up some water, transfer the water to a new container (or at least turn off the heat source), and then immerse the (opened?) can in the water. You might need to hold it down or use a brick of something. This would be safer than heating it directly or even putting it in water as you’re heating the water. Safety first!

[Festivity]

I’ve been digging small pieces out with a hoof pick and then working them in hand until they’re somewhat soft. Working a little bit at a time seems to work better than big pieces. Granted it’s not cold here, no idea how I’m going to make it work as the weather gets colder.

I also found that using nitrile gloves works great for keeping it from sticking to my fingers.

[IPEsq]

Hoof pick!

[Dr_Doolittle]

Interestingly, that’s how I heat up my stubborn granola butter that comes separated – and is too hard to stir with a butter knife!

(Not the hairdryer – though that is an idea!)

I take a big coffee mug, fill it halfway up with water, heat it for a minute or two then put the jar in there until it’s softened enough to stir.

Problem is that the barn is an hour from my house – she does have a little microwave though – I could bring my big coffee mug.

[Obsidian_Fire]

A farrier once told me to get one of those coffee mug heaters and keep it on that.

[Displaced_Yankee]

Can you bring the can home and ‘prep’ the full can in the ‘serving size’ you need? It will be easier to do at room temperature or keep it warm as you are portioning.

I am imagining a Tupperware container of beads of Keratex putty, just in the size you need and a smaller portion may warm up in your hands easier when you go to apply it.

We used to do something similar at IHSA shows hosted by the school I attended. We would prep a 5 gallon bucket of hoof packing (formed into balls) in the tack room and set up an assembly line of packing hooves and poulticing legs for the end of the show day.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Yes, that sounds like a plan – I can heat it up at home, pry the amount I need out and put it in a smaller container, then heat up that small container at the barn before I’m ready to use it. Question: how soft does it get after heating?

[Displaced_Yankee]

@Dr_Doolittle

Question: how soft does it get after heating?

Ah. You are now asking questions above my pay grade. But at least you can put the smaller pieces in a microwave safe container at the barn.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Yes, that was a good suggestion! I guess I’ll find out how soft it is when I warm it up lol!

My husband is a giant guy and has no arthritis in his hands (lucky bastard!), mine are a hot mess. He is kind enough to open things for me, stir my granola butter, etc. I of course, feel terribly guilty for asking and try to do it myself until the pain is just too much.

I’m worried that when I heat up at the barn and carry it to where she is (it’s a five minute drive from the main barn to her turn out area); clean her feet out thoroughly and reach for the putty - that by that time it will have hardened up again

[trubandloki]

@Dr_Doolittle

I’m worried that when I heat up at the barn and carry it to where she is (it’s a five minute drive from the main barn to her turn out area); clean her feet out thoroughly and reach for the putty - that by that time it will have hardened up again

Insulated lunch bag might do the trick? Add a hand warmer.

[endlessclimb]

Could also find a spot in the engine bay for it.

There’s my terrible but effective advice for the day!

[Peggy]

I would bring it home, do it there, and then figure out a way to soften it there, and then transport it in something that retains heat. Does your car have heated seats? Or you could use a thermos to transport hot water.

[Dr_Doolittle]

I appreciate all the suggestions, but this stuff is really really hard – it’s like wax! I’m gonna experiment with how much it softens up in the container at home, and then go from there.

[IPEsq]

So, I believe it contains Turpentine, which I would not want to heat up in any enclosed area!

You can switch to a beeswax related product like Pure Sole wax. It’s not toxic at least. Does also get very hard when cold, but is unlikely to give off toxic fumes.

[TWH_Girl]

I have had a lot of issues with the Keretex hoof puddy. I would probably try a brand that’s easier to work with. I like hoof clay from Life Data, it’s a lot easier.

https://www.lifedatalabs.com/life-data-hoof-clay

[Dr_Doolittle]

Okay, so today I am planning to “take the plunge”! Did the immersion in the cup of hot water trick, that softened it enough to allow DH to remove some with a knife which we put in a paper bowl.

There are three little pieces that he cut out, he tried to make them sort of rectangular in shape. I’m bringing a baggie with me to the barn, and also a small heat pack that I use on my aching head in the morning – it can be heated up in the microwave and stays pretty warm for a few minutes.What I’ll do is heat the clay up in the bowl in the microwave, put it into the baggie, put the heat pack over the baggie then rush it over to her little turnout area and see if it stays soft for long enough for me to be able to push it into the WL separation.

I’ll report back here, wish me luck!

[NaturallyHappy]

I got nuthin’ to share…except that I LOVE the title. I could never get that stuff out, either.