- THE COHESION FACTOR
- Cohesion is a much
desired property of the hoof wall which causes it to hold together.
Specifically, its "attraction between like particles" - in this case - the
thousands of vertical, microscopic, soda-straw like, fibers comprising the hoof
wall. Hoof-Alive, due to its natural, non-irritating composition, is received
into and absorbed by these dense fibers which then begin to expand to several
times their normal size. As these fibers expand, they crowd together and
attract - they cohere - thus "COHESION". For example, just imagine ten
of these fibers, before Hoof-Alive is applied, within a small area and separated
by space between each fiber. Now envision the same fibers expanded together
with little or no space between them. This expanding together of the
many thousands of wall fibers is what causes existing cracks to "swell shut" and
stabilize so they can "grow out". At the same time the added cohesion, provided
by applying Hoof-Alive, is a strong deterrent to all types of new cracks
such as nail cracks (during shoeing), quarter cracks due to high stress, sand
cracks due to sand impacting separated lamina, and even water cracks which occur
from repeated water saturation or "water logging" of the hoof.
- WATER CRACKS
- Water cracks, usually
located toward the center of the wall, are caused from excessive exposure to
water. Water, just like Hoof-Alive, goes into the fibers of the hoof wall.
However, water evaporates taking with it some of the natural substances
it mixed with while in the wall that the wall needs to hold together. This, in
turn, causes a decline in cohesion which brings on "water cracks".
- STESS CRACKS
- Stress in a hoof
happens when the moisture balance is upset through repeated attacks by
evaporation and water saturation and when the cohesion factor is too low. When
these bad conditions are present, the hoof is susceptible of severe splitting
called "quarter cracks" (due to stress). These stress cracks happen when the
horse is running, cutting, jumping or otherwise exceeding the normal force
applied to its hooves. Stress is invisible. But it is there non-the-less if the
above bad conditions have been present for a while. It is comparable to a
warped board which is nailed to a wall. It may be flat, but the stress of the
warp is still there. Hoof-Alive relieves stress better than all other dressings.
- MOISTURE BALANCE
- Moisture balance is
important. The most beneficial moisture for the hoof comes from the blood
supply - not from the environment. You might visualize moisture balance as a
teeter-totter; the more level and stable it remains - the better. But the
wet-dry, wet-dry conditions repeatedly driving the teeter-totter up and down is
not good for the hoof wall. Repeated evaporation attacks and diminishes the
cohesion the wall needs to hold together and avoid cracks. The oil moisture
provided by Hoof-Alive is far superior to water. Unlike water, Hoof-Alive
doesn't evaporate. The natural oils of Hoof-Alive actually take the place
of ground water in the wall, stabilize and establish real moisture balance in 24
to 48 hours. This remains for about 7 days. In addition, because of the
weather proofing effects of Hoof-Alive, the wall itself can become impervious to
the elements, while retaining the qualities of flexibility and cohesion. Also,
since the evaporation factor is slowed way down, the beneficial moisture from
the blood supply can stay in the hoof and do more good.
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