Anyone who owns a horse can probably remember a time when they've gotten green or purple hands because their horses hooves needed some extra attention! Or, I can remember getting in trouble with the barn owner 'cause I stained the grooming area with green rings :(
I can also remember paying 30-40$ a can for a moisturizer. With 6 horses, I definitely needed something more economical.
Luckily, now, I can support my horses hooves by making all natural products with essential oils quite easily. The best thing is, I don't need gloves 'cause it's safe for me and my horses! After an initial investment of essential oils, a few application containers, and some carrier oils, I end up saving quite a bit of money too.
Let's say goodbye to purple and green hands, ditch the gloves, and find out how we can promote healthy hooves for our horses in a more natural and cost effective way. Here's how I support my horses hooves with essential oils on a daily basis by making a hoof moisturizer and a few products for 'hoof yuck'.
To put essential oils on our horses hooves, we are going to want to use a carrier oil. A carrier oil is simply a fatty oil that we can mix the essential oils with. This fatty oil is also good for moisturizing and some fatty oils like coconut oil and castor oil are rumored to have antibacterial properties as well.
This also dilutes our oils for safe use and helps cover the whole hoof with a minimal amount of oils. Essential oils are very concentrated so you don't need a huge amount to get the job done.
Now, I'm going to share with you my favorite recipe that I make in batches, but as a horse person with 6 horses on my property, I also know that sometimes we just need an even easier button-lol. If you are overwhelmed and just can't imagine one more thing to do for the barn, I got ya! You too, can ditch the toxic stuff!
Simply purchase a large container of coconut oil and an essential oil from this list:
(Over the years, I have found that these essential oils work well for hoof support)
Then keep the coconut oil at the barn. Grab a scoop when you want to use a moisturizer for your horses hooves, add a couple of drops of essential oil, rub your palms together, then massage into your horses hooves and coronet band. Easy Peasy! No gloves required, in fact, this is good for your skin too!
For my recipe that I premake in batches, I like to use a combination of fractionated coconut oil (coconut oil processed to stay liquid), olive oil, and castor oil ( a thick oil, rich in essential fatty acids that are natural humectants, this effect can promote hoof health, and help with dryness, and contains vitamin E). These fatty oils work well to moisturize the hoof and add shine.
I like to purchase a 32 oz. hoof applicator can with a brush on Amazon. You will reuse this can over and over. Fill it halfway with the fractionated coconut oil, then an additional 1/4 of the way up with castor oil, then finish filling with olive oil. Then I add 10 drops of each of the oils listed above. I use the brush to swirl to mix. I apply about once a week, depending on your horses hooves dryness, you could apply 2-3 times a week. Keep in mind that diet, exercise, and proper trimming all affect your horses hooves and you may need to look at ones of those areas in depth as well.
Now for my "hoof yuck'' product...
If you are super limited on time, and again need a super easy button....you can simply drop a few drops of essential oil onto the bottom of your horses hoof, especially in the bars and on the frog (after you pick out, of course). I find Tea Tree oil works best for this method. I have also used Oregano, and Clove, but make sure you are only using on the bottom of the hoof and not on an area of skin. These 2 essential oils are called 'hot' oils, which simply means they can cause a burning sensation on skin, so you would want to dilute them to use in that way.
I like to make the following spray in an 8 oz spray bottle:
1/2 apple cider vinegar
1/2 distilled water
Add all ingredients into an 8 oz. spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray on the bottom of the hoof after picking out.
I also like to use this powder recipe if my horses hooves need some drying out and are particularly gunky. I think it drys the bottom of the hoof up well.
I simply take a cup of baking soda and add 20 drops each of Tea Tree, Oregano, and Thyme. I usually mix this up in a bowl and then store in old spice containers with the shaker top. This makes it super easy to sprinkle on the bottom of the hoof after picking out.
Excited to learn even more about getting started using essential oils with your horse? Download my free guide where we go over what you need to know to use essential oils safely and easily with your horse, including safety and dilution, click HERE
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