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  Discussion on Peroxide as a hoof toughener?
Author Message
Member:
rockin

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008 - 5:11 pm:

Question for Dr. O (or anyone else):

I was told the other day that peroxide will work as a hoof toughener because it does the same sort of thing as betadine (kills cells to form a thicker layer of sole). I definitely don't want to try this one without asking: logic says to me that peroxide will indeed kill cells, but will also make the sole brittle, and other such problems.

So, can peroxide be used to "toughen" hooves, or is this as bad an idea as it sounds?

*Note of interest: I was actually told this by someone in vet school... so if it's wrong, that's frightening.
Member:
quatro

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008 - 6:53 pm:

Hi Erin, I can speak from experience on something that works so well that my farrier told me to back it off because his hooves& especially his soles,were getting "too hard" I don't know where I heard it from, could even be here, but I mix together 1/2 oz. genuine tea tree oil (from health food store, kinda spendy for the real oil) to 8 oz of apple cider vinegar. I have been using this on Levi with his white line disease to fend off fungus! Accidently discovered it made his soles tougher than steel! It also works for dandruff/dry winter scalp on people, with a little sage and rosemary added!
Good luck
suz
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 - 6:44 am:

I have never tried either of these treatments so I really do not know. There are at least two enemies to forming a good hard sole: too much moisture and bacterial degradation. To the degree that any substance addresses these two problems you can toughen up a sole. For more on this and other ways to insure healthy tough horn on the walls and soles see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Poor Horn Quality: problems with the wall and soles.
DrO
Member:
rockin

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 - 9:25 am:

Susan, that sounds like something more sensible (and also something safer) to try. I also happen to have both around (for fly spray in the summer that really works well) so I'm going to give it a try. I don't think that her soles are very soft, but she gets "ouchy" feet sometimes, so hopefully it will help.

Thanks Dr. O. I know that there are better tougheners out there (like those listed in the article), but it's quite a drive to the nearest tack store around here, so going out to buy one seems silly if there's a good enough one hanging around in the house.
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 - 9:54 am:

Hi Erin,

You know what peroxide is really good for? Breaking other people of the habit of "borrowing" your fly spray. Care tip 2008-- fill your normal fly spray bottle with peroxide and leave trustingly in tack room. Carry actual fly spray with you. Those pink and purple horses will let you know who the "borrower" is, and will stop the problem in its tracks!
Member:
paul303

Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 12:35 am:

HAH!! Love it, Elizabeth!
Member:
rockin

Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 9:43 am:

Elizabeth, you should put that in the "tips & tricks" section! Or, we could start a "clever ways to get rid of that useless bottle of peroxide" thread.

The truth behind the asking (about the hoof thing) is that my mother (a big Costco fan) bought be a bulk pack (3 X 750 ml) of peroxide, not knowing that I don't use it! The only thing it's good for is making the dog throw up if she gets into chocolate...
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 10:05 am:

Hi Erin,

It's very handy stuff if your dog ever gets skunked. One of mine thinks skunks are furry oreos, and peroxide+baking soda+dish soap is the only way to restore her to her pre-snack state.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 - 11:19 am:

Erin, just for you!! I didn't go search this out, I was cleaning out files and ran across this. Don't have a website at the bottom of the page so I don't know where it came from.

Many uses for Peroxide written by a lady who was commenting on the fact that Oxi Clean is 3% Peroxide.

Hold a capful in your mouth for 10 minutes while bathing. Whitens your teeth.

Add 1 cup to your bath water along with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup epsom salts for a nice cleansing detox soak. (I might have the amounts wrong...all were 1/2 to 1 cup each, typing this one from memory)

Use instead of mouthwash. (My son and husband do this)

Gargle with it if you have a sore throat.

Soak your toothbrushes in a cup of preroxide to keep them free of germs.

Clean your counters and table tops by putting some on a rag or have it in a spray bottle.

After rinsing your wood cutting board, spray it with peroxide to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

Spray a 50/50 solution of your feet if you have fungus problems.

Soak infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for 10 minutes several times a day.

Keep a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix for in your bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic like bleach or other chemicals. (I personally use white vinegar but I'll have to try this one)

Spray a 50/50 mix into your nostrils when you have sinus trouble or a cold. Hold it for a few minutes and then blow it out into a tissue.

Use it if you have a toothache. Hold it in your mouth for 10 minutes several times daily.

Lighten your hair by spraying a 50/50 mix on damp hair and combing it through.

Use it in your laundry to whiten your whites. 1 cup per load. For blood stains, pour directly on the spot and let it sit for a minute, rub gently, and rinse with cold water. Repeat if needed.

Clean your mirrors with it.

How's that for a start of "clever ways to get rid of that useless bottle of peroxide?"

Sorry, I couldn't resist!
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