Why soak horses feet?

There are many reasons for soaking feet. Hoof soaks are an ideal way to treat abscesses (see Abscess Page for more information), wall and white line infections, Thrush, yeast and fungus. They provide relief for bruising and may accelerate healing.

Soaking feet prior to barefoot trimming expedites the trimming process, making it easier on your trimmer, horse and wallet. Soaking horses feet that are transitioning to barefoot helps displace retained sole and loosens overlaid bars, too.

Its possible to soak feet too often, though, and hard dry feet are much healthier than feet that are regularly soaked feet, so only soak if you have an objective.

How Long To Soak Feet

For soreness or abscessing, soak feet 20 to 30 minutes two or more times a day, if possible, using comfortably hot water.

To soften a hoof for trimming,soak feet 30 minutes to an hour immediately before trimming.

To encourage a hoof to shed retained sole or to loosen overlaid bar, soak feet for 30 minuets to an hour, followed by light exercise such as lunging in a sand or dirt paddock. The movement helps separate the softened tissue.

Outdoor Spa

The easiest way of getting water into your horses feet is to lay several layers of old carpet in a depression, soak it in water and feed in a way that the horse stands on the carpet while it eats or drinks. A mud puddle is another alternative, but the drying dirt can remove oils.

EasyCare Soaker Boots

EasyCare Soaker Boots make soaking abscesses and sore feet simple.

Disposable Baby Diaper Soakers

When treating abscesses, disposable Baby diapers work as soakers or compresses. The diaper size a horse needs is the same as their Easy Boot, Epic or Boa size, oddly enough! A horse that wears a Size 0 Easy Boot uses a size 0 baby diaper.

Open the diaper, wrap it around the hoof so the the front of the diaper is on the front of the hoof and fasten it with the diapers adhesive tabs. Place the hoof in a soaker boot or make two wraps around the base of the hoof with duct tape, then fill the diaper with solution. Diapers stay wet, the horses can move around in the stall and can't completely empty the diaper soaker.

Using Riding Boots as Soakers and Treatment Boots

Riding Boots lined with 1 gallon Ziplock Bags can double as soakers and treatment boots.