Kevlar or Keratex

[reefy]

I live here in the very dry SW and we haven’t had rain in ?? I don’t know how long. We are supposed to get rain this week and I have a TB with relatively crappy feet (one in particular, we are working through white line in one hoof). I would like to put something on to keep his foot as dry as possible as locking him in a stall is not good for his mental health (he has a nice run off the back where he exclusively relieves himself and does not enjoy using his nice stall as a potty - really like that about him!). This time of year it will take maybe 4 days to really dry out.

I have both Kevlar and Keratex (not the gel, just the hoof hardener) - which would you all recommend?? I’m leaning toward Kevlar on the outside hoof wall and Keratex on the sole. Any other suggestions? I have a few days lead time (think it’s supposed to start Tuesday/Wednesday).

TIA!

[Simkie]

My farrier recommends durasole on the sole and keratex hoof hardener on the wall. Is durasole an option for you?

[reefy]

Is durasole the purple stuff??

[Simkie]

@reefy!

Is durasole the purple stuff??

Geez, it was red, then clear, then red, and yeah…I think it is purple now? Good stuff!!

[reefy]

Rats just googled it and it is not the purple stuff (that is Thrush Buster - that I have). I don’t have any durasole. Maybe one of the feed stores carries it - I will check tomorrow

[reefy]

Thanks Simkie Someone at the barn has the keratex hoof gel so I’m going to go with that as it is water repellent.

[GraceLikeRain]

For soles I’d do hoof armour.

[BoyleHeightsKid]

@GraceLikeRain

For soles I’d do hoof armour.

Just tried this stuff… I really like it so far.

[Scribbler]

Keratex and Durasole are both formeldahyde products that work to strengthen bonds in the hoof horn, hardening it making it less resistant to rot and less resistant to chip or shed. They have been in use for a long time.

Hoof armor is a totally different and newer thing. It’s an epoxy glue that provides a barrier layer and also prevents chipping. It may also harden the texture of the horn.

I’ve never used either of them.

My understanding of white line disease is you need to get the infection out with some combination of cutting back wall and white lightning type soaks or it will just continue to split the hoof as it grows out.

[beowulf]

Durasole is purple – or it has always been for me. Maybe it is regional? You can order Durasole online just about at any tack shop.

I like it way better than Keratex. For some reason I’ve never gotten the results I wanted with Keratex when applying it to the sole, and it is expensive – but lasts a long time. I do the same as Simkie - I apply durasole to the sole, and keratex to the wall.

Keratex will help repel moisture, though. With Scribbler on the WLD part - usually see it combined with some form of resection and major corrective shoeing and constant soaks/packs of White Lightning to completely eradicate the disease.

[reefy]

Thanks guys - it is really wet and muddy. Rain can stop now please! We have been treating the WLD between farrier and vet. It is almost all gone and I just didn’t want to have it come raging back because of all the wet. Next trim will be in ~ 2 weeks so we shall see how we did!

[Simkie]

@beowulf

Durasole is purple – or it has always been for me. Maybe it is regional? You can order Durasole online just about at any tack shop.

Durasole was red like…20 years ago. More? :lol: Then meth got big and iodine stuff got restricted and they changed it, and it was clear (or really light colored?) People complained they couldn’t see where they’d put it, so they brought color back again. I think it was reddish. But yeah, it’s been purple for quite awhile now. I just remember when you could really only get it from Alvin’s Farrier Supply (something like that??) and I’d get cases to resell bottles to barn friends. That’s was a looooong time ago!

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[piccolopony]

I just wanted to jump in and add that I’ve been hearing a lot about hoof armor but just applied it for the first time about a week ago and it worked so incredibly well. My mare has always been barefoot and typically not had an issue even during mud season but we just switched to pasture board and I think that because her feet weren’t getting the night to dry out she got a little more sensitive.

I applied the hoof armor on a Tuesday evening and by the next day the footsoreness was gone. I’m planning to apply again after our next trim and then I’m hoping that we’ll be over the fall mud season.

[hoopoe]

Absolutely swear by Keratex program. my horse lived outside 24/7 in Seattle area and he really did well once I got him on the program

[reithme2]

Id never heard of Kevlar Tough until I started to transition my OTTB from shoes to barefoot and worked with a barefoot trimmer. Previously every farrier told me keratex or bust but I hated the high cost and never really noticed a huge change.

The barefoot trimmer swears by Kevlar Tough and its half the price of keratex so I got sme. So far Im loving the product, after its applied you can see where it is in on the hoof and has kept my horses feet dry and hard with every other day application through this freeze/thaw muck we are experiencing.

I also have durasole which I purchased on recommendation from so many people on COTH. I was using durasole on the soles and kevlar tough around the exterior of the hoof but now just use kevlar tough. Its so cheap and seems to work really well. I buy a large container on amazon for $30 and have refilled the smaller bottle with applicator more than twice.

Id recommend just trying a few options and see what you like the best.