Are they the same product?? Can’t decide which one to use or if both would be good to alternate between?!?
They are 2 different products. The gel is meant to prevent the hoof from absorbing too much moisture and becoming too soft.
I have been using the hoof hardener on my horse for about 2 weeks and I have definitely noticed a difference. She is barefoot, and was very sound on all surfaces until it stopped raining and the ground turned to concrete. She was still sound on most surfaces, but a bit tentative on rocks. You apply the hardener every day for the first 7 days, then twice a week after that. After about 4 applications she was much more comfortable on the rocks.
According to the website you can use the gel after you are finished with the hardener to maintain healthy feet. I may give it a try this winter when she out in the snow and muck.
I’ve always thought that the Hoof Hardener was to help repair crappy feet, while the Hoof Gel protects average or good feet from becoming crappy due to too much moisture. I use the gel and it really helped my TB mare to stop losing shoes during mud season(s), but I use it year round to protect the new growth.
I use the hardener, year round, on my OTTB gelding, about twice a week. I just brush it on the nail holes and down. He has done much better keeping shoes on and his feet are really healthy. My farrier recommended the hardener, and I had never considered that I should switch to the gel. Maybe I should switch?
use the hardener to get started, for when you are trying to correct an issue and restore the hoof
use the Gel as a long term maintenance product
my horse lived out 24/7 and these products made a huge difference, her in the country of wet
I love both products. The hardener is great for those lovely spring seasons when there is mud everywhere. The gel is great for keeping the moisture level constant regardless of weather conditions. I won’t put anything else on my horse’s hooves.
