Keratex
Products, information and details

MUD SHIELD POWDER

This sulphur based white powder is for use on skin abnormalities on legs that suffer in wet, muddy conditions. Highly effective in both winter and summer, this powder is easy to apply, has an excellent drying effect and guards against, and defeats, harmful micro-organisms.   

Additional information...

Function

Keratex Mud Shield Powder is designed to assist the horse's natural defences against skin abnormalities.

How It Works

Many horseowners attempt to counter the problems of dermatalogical abnormalities by applying a grease or salve to the affected area. But the micro-organisms which cause the problem are anaerobes: they cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, and any greasy treatment may actually make the problem worse. Keratex Mud Shield Powder deals with this by using finely powdered sulphur – an age old remedy for countering bacteria and fungi - in a mixture with aluminium stearate. This aluminium end of this long molecule grasps onto the nitrogen of the keratin in the skin of the leg, and the stearate end of the molecule is strongly water-repellent, drying the skin and keeping it dry in wet conditions.

Application

Keratex Mud Shield Powder is applied by sprinkling onto your hand and applying it to the horse's clean, dry leg, making sure a good covering is achieved and the powder has reached the skin.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Mud Shield Powder is available in a 450gm plastic talc bottle.

Hoof Hardener 250ml

For strengthening and hardening hooves, that are cracked, chipped, soft and weak, without making them brittle.

Additional information...

Function

The modern usage of the horse produces an unnatural environment for the hooves, and the stress on the horn produced by alternation between work and rest for the horse, and particularly the structural stresses generated by fluctuations in temperature and humidity can set up unnatural strains in the hooves which result in damage. The regular application of Keratex Hoof Hardener confers great strength on hooves, without producing brittleness, and resists these stresses. Also, when a hoof is cracked or chipped, increased stresses occur in the uncracked or chipped areas of hoof: these stresses can often cause the crack or damage to spread, and it is necessary to apply Keratex Hoof Hardener to the undamaged areas to give them sufficient extra strength to resist the extra stress.

How it Works

Farriers have used formalin for many years to harden horses’ hooves. The action of formaldehyde on keratin is well known to be a simple cross-linking action: methylene or bis-thioether groups are added by condensation reactions with reactive amino, sulphydryl or other groups on the keratin helix to form additional linkages to reinforce the rather labile disulphide links which occur naturally. It is quite incorrect to say that formalin hardens horn by removing water: rather, it strengthens it by introducing these extra inter- and intra-molecular links.

However, formaldehyde in its simple aldehyde state reacts too quickly: it case-hardens the hoof, thus preventing the entry of formalin to deeper layers, and also creating surface brittleness. Keratex Hoof Hardener contains formalin: it also contains another substance which effectively slows down the reactivity of the -CHO group, thus giving time for the aldehyde to penetrate the outer layers of horn. This is facilitated by the presence of yet another compound in Keratex Hoof Hardener which temporarily breaks the hydrogen bonds which join the helix coils internally and externally: having done this, this compound then evaporates, leaving the hydrogen bonds to re-make once the aldehyde is in situ.
Keratex Hoof Hardener also contains an inorganic complexing agent. One end of the molecule of this agent co-ordinates onto a nitrogen atom in the keratin molecule: the other end forms a ‘large lump’ in the keratin helix, thus effectively adding an aggregate to stiffen the horn.
Finally, Keratex Hoof Hardener contains a plasticiser, to stop the horn becoming brittle, and it also contains a powerful disinfectant to assist in maintaining general hoof health.

Application

Keratex Hoof Hardener should be applied daily for the first week, and twice weekly thereafter for general hoof maintenance.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Hardener is available in 250ml plastic bottles, with a brush included in the pack.

Hoof Disinfectant 200ml

New powerful, non-stinging disinfectant active against a wide spectrum of bacterial and fungal organisms

Additional information...

Function

Keratex Hoof Disinfectant is a topically-applied, non-stinging disinfectant which provides spot disinfection and is very effective against a wide range of bacterial and fungal organisms on the coronary band, wall, heels, frog and sole.

How It Works

Keratex Hoof Disinfectant uses unique technology developed by BYOTROL to leave a long-lasting surface coating, which continues to kill micro-organisms long after conventional disinfectants have stopped working. This powerful disinfectant operates on a recently discovered principle in disinfection, in that it not only kills harmful organisms but contains a silicone compound which treats the surface of the skin in such away as to prevent any surviving organisms multiplying. Once dead, they stay dead. The active liquid is known as Byotrol, and is manufactured by a major UK company which has licensed Keratex with exclusive rights for it's use on horses.

Application

Keratex Hoof Disinfectant should be applied directly onto the area required to be disinfected.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Disinfectant is available in a 200ml plastic squeezer bottle with attached spout.

Hoof Putty 200gm

This is a flexible, non-hardening adhesive disinfecting filler containing sulphur for plugging holes and cracks in hooves.

Additional information...

Function

Keratex Hoof Putty is a flexible and adhesive non-hardening disinfecting filler for holes and structural weakness in the sole of the horse’s hoof. It keeps the site of a former abscess or white line problem clean, dry and disinfected while the healing process takes place.

How It Works

Keratex Hoof Putty contains a special microcrystalline wax to plug a hole, plus a resin to allow the wax to adhere to the surrounding tissues, plus dissolved sulphur to provide complete disinfection for the area.

Application

A small piece of Keratex Hoof Putty is rolled in the fingers until sticky, then pressed into the hole in the sole of the foot, after cleaning and drying the area.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Putty is supplied in a 200g tin.

Nail Hole Disinfectant 200ml

A highly penetrating disinfectant liquid to harden and protect old nail holes in horse's hooves, helping guard against cracks which may allow dirt and grit into the hoof wall. Read the testimonial for Nail Hole Disinfectant.

Additional information...

Function

When a shoe is changed, the old nail holes can form a potential source of infection in the white line area of the hoof. Keratex Nail Hole Disinfectant is a topical disinfectant which can be applied directly into the nail holes, hardening the inside walls of the holes as well as preventing later cracking occurring. Tiny particles of grit and dirt can force their way into the inside wall of the hoof which may lead to an infection.

How It Works

Keratex Nail Hole Disinfectant is a unique iodine-containing disinfectant product intended for application to nail holes in horses’ hooves. The iodine is present as an organic iodophor dissolved in a terpene solvent. The iodine not only functions as a disinfectant, but hardens the keratin inside the nail hole: this reduces the possibility of the empty nail hole acting as an originating location for future cracks in the horn. The solvent also acts as a disinfectant, by absorbing oxygen across the conjugated double bond structure of the terpene, then releasing it in an active form to destroy anaerobic bacteria in the hoof.

Application

Keratex Nail Hole Disinfectant should be applied directly into the former nail holes as soon as possible after the old shoe has been removed.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Nail Hole Disinfectant is available in a 200ml plastic squeezer bottle, with attached spout to provide accurate placing of the disinfectant.

Frog Disinfectant 50ml

Powerful Disinfectant squirt, specially formulated for use on the FROG and SOLE area of the hooves for the treatment or prevention of abnormalities caused by bacteria or fungi. Does not affect the surrounding tissue.

Additional information...

Function

The frog is composed of a soft keratin, which is particularly susceptible to bacterial attack, which left untreated, can destroy the delicate tissue of the frog, and affect it's primary function of pumping the blood around the lower foot as the horse moves.

How It Works

Keratex Frog Disinfectant contains dimethyl ketone, which dehydrates and kills the simple monocellular organisms which are causing the trouble, without affecting the surrounding tissues of the frog and sole. It also contains tea tree oil, which is well known for its ability to kill a wide range of dangerous micro-organisms.

Application

Keratex Frog Disinfectant should be squirted onto the affected tissues direct from the bottle.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Frog Disinfectant is available in a 50ml plastic squeezer bottle, with attached spout.

Hoof Gel 500ml

For use on hooves that are weak and prone to cracks, peeling and splitting, often caused by excessive moisture. Protects the hooves against external water while allowing the hooves to breathe and retain their natural strength.

Additional information...

Function

When a horse's hoof is exposed to continually wet conditions, the horn becomes saturated and weakened. It is then desirable to close the hoof structure to the ingress of external water. This is often done by the application of hoof oils or greases. These certainly seal the hoof effectively, but also stop the natural transpiration of water vapour from the inside of the hoof to the outside. The hoof thus becomes saturated with the moisture produced by the horse itself, and remains softened by this water. Keratex Hoof Gel protects the hoof against external water while allowing the hoof to ‘breathe’ and retain its natural strength.

How It Works

Keratex Hoof Gel contains a powerful water-repelling chemical dissolved in a solvent, plus another solvent which allows the chemical to penetrate the horn. This chemical is a very long molecule: one end sticks onto the nitrogen atoms in the keratin protein of the horn, and the other end waves about, repelling water molecules but not water vapor. This keeps perfect water balance in the horn, in wet or dry weather. It also provides protection against the ammonia generated from the urea in the urine, which can degrade the hoof by saponifying the natural protective lipids in the hoof.

Application

Keratex Hoof Gel should be used in wet, soggy ground conditions by brushing onto a clean dry hoof once daily.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Gel is available in 500ml and 1litre plastic bottles.

Hoof Wash 1 Litre

HOOF WASH is a powerful disinfectant cleansing wash, which is active against a wide spectrum of bacterial and fungal organisms. Useful as a treatment and preventative measure for skin ailments, minor injuries and hoof problems.
Formulated specifically for hooves, skin and hair - contains no oxidising agents, so is entirely safe to use on equine skin and hooves.

Additional information...

Function

Keratex Hoof Wash is designed to clean and protect the lower limbs of a horse. Active against a wide spectrum of bacterial and fungal organisms. Formulated specifically for hooves, skin and hair - contains no oxidising agents, so is entirely safe for use on equine skin and hooves.

How It Works

Keratex Hoof Wash contains a powerful quaternary ammonium compound, which lowers the surface tension of the mud-hair interface allowing the muck to be loosened off, as well as being a powerful disinfectant, which keeps the skin and hooves free of harmful bacteria and fungi.

Application

Keratex Hoof Wash is applied diluted, by mixing two capfuls (40ml) of the liquid into 5 litres clean water.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Wash is available in one litre plastic jerricans, which will dilute to make 25 litres of cleansing and disinfecting solution.

Hoof Moisturiser 500ml

For use on dry, cracked hooves.Penetrates the horn and provides a water reservoir to prevent cracking. Does not seal the hooves, as oil or grease preparations do, but allows the hooves to breathe naturally and retain strength.

Additional information...

Function

If a hoof gets too dry, then spaces or vacuoles can appear inside the horn. These can act as the nuclei of cracks when the hoof is placed under strain. Keratex Hoof Moisturiser penetrates into the horn and provides a water reservoir to prevent this cracking occurring.

How It Works

There are two ways to get moisture into a dry hoof: you can either coat the hoof with a oil or vaseline-type substance, which seals the horn and prevents the natural loss of water as water vapour across the hoof wall. This moisturises the hoof but at the expense of strength. The alternative way is to treat the hoof with a water- containing compound. This is the basis of Keratex Hoof Moisturiser as the process is controllable: you can keep an eye on the hardness of the hoof, and slow down or increase the treatment as required. With the other system of 'moisturising', once the hoof wall is sealed by an oil or vaseline, trapping the natural expiration of water vapour inside the hoof, it's a terrible job to get the oil off again if the hoof suddenly softens. Also, with an exceptionally dry hoof, there may not be enough natural moisture coming into the hoof from the horse's system to keep the right balance. Keratex Hoof Moisturiser contains alcohol, which opens up the hoof to receive the water-containing compound, which is a polyethylene glycol, rather like glycerine but better at acting as a water reservoir.

Application

Keratex Hoof Moisturiser should be applied daily in dry weather by brushing onto a clean dry hoof.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Moisturiser is available in 500ml and 1 litre plastic bottles.

Cooling Gel 1 Litre

A new advancement for rapid cooling of the tendons after exercise, this scientifically formulated gel works by evaporation, proven to be the safest and most effective method to cool tendons. Other preparations use camphor or menthol which only act on sensory neurons, giving a false sense of cooling. They also enter the horse's bloodstream and can affect it's performance. Keratex Cooling Gel is safe, fast and effective.

Additional information...

Function

Keratex Cooling Gel is designed to provide a handy means of applying an evaporative and adhesive cooling medium onto a horse’s legs after exercise.

How It Works

The mammalian body is in some respects a poor design – particularly in the case of horses’ tendons. The strength of a tendon is in the protein collagen, which is a remarkable bit of coiled-rope engineering. The trouble is, these coils start unwinding at a temperature of about 39 degrees centigrade – which is dangerously close to the natural temperature of a horse after exercise. There is also a time factor in this unwinding: the longer a tendon is exposed to a temperature close to the ‘denaturation’ temperature of 39 degrees, the more it tends to degrade. So what is required is to get the temperature down quickly, and to keep it down until the horse has cooled off a bit.

A great many so-called cooling products - not just for horses, but also aftershaves, toothpastes, chewing gum and the like – contain chemicals like camphor or menthol. These chemicals are of course disallowed by the Jockey Club, as they can enter the bloodstream and affect the horse’s performance. But the problem is more serious than that: these chemicals don’t cool - their ‘cooling effect’ is simply the menthol or camphor binding onto receptor sites on sensory neurons, sending an artificial cooling indication to the brain. What the horse’s leg requires is proper and rapid cooling – not merely a false signal of cooling, which is what camphor and menthol give. Short of refrigerating the horse, or applying a mix of rather esoteric chemicals which actually lower the temperature as they combine, there’s only one way to cool a horse – and that is by evaporation. You need instant evaporation of a volatile harmless solvent, coupled with longer-term evaporation of a high latent heat substance - such as water. This is the basis of functioning of Keratex Cooling Gel.

Application

Keratex Cooling Gel should be applied by hand or brush directly to the horse’s legs just above the tendons, as soon as possible after exercise.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Cooling Gel is available in 1 litre plastic jars.

Hoof Shield 250ml

Hoof Shield is a clear varnish which dries rapidly to a shiny finish while conferring a major increase in strength to the hooves. Because it seals the passage of moisture, it should not be used continually. Great for showing or special days out.

Additional information...

Function

Keratex Hoof Shield is a clear varnish, designed to adhere strongly onto the hoof, enhancing its appearance and conferring considerable extra strength to the external surface.

How It Works

This product is a plasticized nitrocellulose clear varnish, formulated to dry very rapidly on the hoof. It penetrates into the upper layers of the horn, conferring a major increase in strength as it dries to an attractive shiny finish. As it seals the hoof against the passage of moisture, it should not be used continually.

Application

Keratex Hoof Shield is applied by brush directly from the container, onto a clean dry hoof.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex Hoof Shield is available in a 250ml plastic container, with integral brush cap.

3-part Hoof Repair

For use in replacing small areas of missing hoof following surgery or accidents or damage caused by shoe loss. Provides a secure, strong hold for nailing. Fast setting.

Additional information...

Function

Keratex 3-part Hoof Repair allows a horse owner to replace small areas of missing hoof with a flexible cured adhesive patch.

How It Works

This product contains a special epoxy resin, one component of which ( an epoxide) combines chemically with the keratin of the hoof to allow a homogeneous repair patch to be applied to a defective hoof. In combination with a special plasticising filler powder, the product sets rapidly to a flexible artificial horn which is strongly chemically bonded to the surrounding hoof structure, and effectively becomes a part of it.

Application

The product can be applied by the average competent horse owner without special equipment: unlike many polyurethane and other equine hoof repair products, all the user requires is in the kit.

Packaging & Sizes

Keratex 3-part Hoof Repair is supplied as a dual epoxy syringe in a kit complete with plasticising filler, mixing tub and application spatula, sufficient to replace 50ml milling horn.