Keratex Hoof Hardener
Penleigh Irving Ltd.

Description:
Strengthens poor quality hoof walls so that shoes stay on tight and allows lightly worked horses to remain sound without shoes. Ideal for use on: hooves with poor quality horn causing premature shoe loss; lightly worked horse, ponies and donkeys which are left unshod; horses roughed off out of season; brood mares, foals and yearlings; soft soles prone to bruising; all other hoofed animals including cattle and sheep.

Keratex Hoof Hardener does not produce any surface coating, thereby allowing the hoof to breathe and function naturally, and works by improving and strengthening the molecular structure of hoofwall horn and soles.

Instructions For Use:
A) Do not use Keratex Hoof Hardener on bleeding or diseased hooves without first seeking advice from a veterinarian.

B) Do not allow Keratex Hoof Hardener to come in contact with the coronary band, bulbs of the heel, or under normal circumstances the frog.

C) In order to function properly, Keratex Hoof Hardener must be able to penetrate the hoof surface.

Always make sure that the hoof wall, bearing surface, and sole are clean and dry and free from mud, hoof oil or hoof varnish. Scrub the hooves thoroughly with a solution of washing liquid and warm water, rinse well and allow to dry. Clean out old nail holes with a piece of wire so that Keratex Hoof Hardener can penetrate.

Do not use any hoof oils, greases or varnishes in conjunction with Keratex Hoof Hardener as these will prevent it from working properly. Additionally, hoof oil and greases may contribute to the basic failure of the hoof’s integrity for the reasons stated previously. If the hooves have been previously treated with any oils, greases or varnish it is essential that these are first removed.

D) Stand the horse on a clean dry surface in a well ventilated area.

Application to Unshod Hooves:
1. Follow the instructions A-D above.
2. Make sure that the hoof is correctly trimmed and balanced with a level bearing surface. Lightly rasp the bearing surface of the hoof wall to expose clean horn. (This allows the fluid to be drawn up the tubules of the horn by capillary action and ensures full treatment of the lower hoof wall.)
3. Pick up each hoof in turn and, with the brush supplied, apply Keratex Hoof Hardener to the bearing surface of the hoof wall. Keep the brush well loaded with fluid and go round three or four times so that the horn is properly wetted. (It is also beneficial to treat the sole of the hoof as this will help prevent bruising which can be a particular problem for unshod horses. See B above.)
4. After applying Keratex hold the hoof, with the sole uppermost, for about a minute to allow the fluid to soak into the horn.
5. Replace the hoof on the ground and then apply Keratex liberally around the lower half of the hoof wall. (See B above.)
6. Do not work or ride the horse until Keratex is dry on the hoof. The natural warmth of the hoof will let it dry in a few minutes.
7. Keratex Hoof Hardener will take up to 2 weeks to produce optimum strength, so some care should be exercised during this period. However, after a few days the hoof will start to harden and it will be noticed that the sound from the unshod hooves on a hard surface will become sharper.
8. Apply Keratex twice a week during the first 2 weeks and thereafter regularly once a week while the horse remains unshod. Foot trimming may still be required during the time that the hooves are left unshod, depending on the amount of work the horse is doing.

Application to Shod Hooves:
1. Follow the instructions A-D above.
2. Make sure that the surface of any undamaged horn is clean and free from oil and varnish. Gently clear dirt and debris from old nail holes with a piece of wire or similar object so that there is a clear passage through which the Keratex can enter.
3. Apply Keratex to the lower half of the hoof wall, starting above the line of the clenches, ensuring that it is liberally brushed into cracks and into old nail holes. (See B above.)

It is recommended that Keratex be applied to the sole of the hoof to prevent bruising. This is particularly beneficial for horses with shallow walls and/or flat feet. To ensure complete treatment of the lower hoof wall bearing surface apply Keratex liberally to the sole and allow it to run under shoes. (See B above.)

4. Apply Keratex twice a week for the first 2 weeks and thereafter once a week.
5. Each time the shoes are replaced apply Keratex to the bearing surface of the hoof wall as described under 3 of Application to Unshod Hooves. Where shoes are burnt on, remove all the carbon deposits with a rasp to expose clean horn before applying Keratex.
6. The horn will start to harden within days and the nails will become more secure in the stronger horn. Broken pieces of horn may still become detached from the hoof, but the horn underneath will be harder and stronger and should not split further. Usually the split and damaged section of the hoof should grow out at about 1 cm per month; this should give an indication of how long it will take to achieve an unblemished hoof.
During the growing out time the horn will become increasingly stronger which will prevent the nails from loosening. Keratex Hoof Hardener will only strengthen horn which it comes into contact with, so if treatment is stopped the hoof will soon revert to its former condition as the treated horn grows out.

General Hoof Maintenance:
As an aid to general hoof maintenance a weekly application of Keratex will ensure that even the strongest hooves are kept free from cracking and weakness, which can always occur as the result of some trauma or illness many months previously. It will also protect against weak horn developing due to any changes in feed, and when moving horses from one place to another where mineral levels in natural fodder may differ.

Notes For The Farrier:
Keratex Hoof Hardener can be used to condition badly broken hooves, which are difficult to nail, if it is applied to the bearing surface and hoof wall, then left for 45 minutes before nailing on. It will have a plastercising effect which will allow the hoof to be nailed with far less risk of the nails tracking and splitting the horn.

Because of the hardening effect, Keratex can be used to prevent corns and crushed heels by applying to the bearing surface of the hoof prior to fitting shoes.

Diluted with an equal volume of clean water, Keratex can be applied to a frog softened by thrush. Not only will it toughen up the frog, but its naturally disinfecting properties will help maintain the hoof in healthy condition. Keratex can be of particular benefit as a means of hardening and strengthening the soles of the horses prone to bruising and on flat footed horses.

Caution:
For external application to hooves only. Keep out of reach of children. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Irritating to eyes and respiratory system. Do Not Inhale.

Avoid contact with eyes and skin. In case of contact with the eyes, rinse immediately with water and seek medical advice. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water.