Keratex Hoof Care
Which Keratex product does my horse need?
If your horse's hooves are getting soaked in mud and wet turnout, start with Keratex Hoof Gel (from £13.39) — it is designed to sit on the hoof wall and sole as a breathable barrier against moisture. If the ground has gone hard and dry and the horn looks tight and flaky, Keratex Hoof Moisturiser (from £12.44) is the one that puts moisture back in. For everyday conditioning with a tidy finish, use Keratex Coconut Oil Hoof Balm (£15.72, black or clear). Most yards end up owning two: a barrier for winter and a moisturiser for summer.
In a hurry?
- Wet, muddy fields — Keratex Hoof Gel, from £13.39 (500ml or 1 litre)
- Dry, hard, brittle-looking horn — Keratex Hoof Moisturiser, from £12.44 (500ml)
- Everyday conditioning and a smart finish — Keratex Coconut Oil Hoof Balm, £15.72 (400gm, black or clear)
- Legs that need cooling after work — Keratex Cooling Gel, £13.07 (1 litre)
- Feed-room mineral top-up — Keratex Zeolite, £11.21 (900gm)
- Cheapest way in — Keratex Zeolite at £11.21; cheapest topical is Hoof Moisturiser 500ml at £12.44
Prices shown are the lowest in-stock size for each product at the time of writing. Not sure? Get in touch and our team will help you pick.
How do the Keratex products compare?
| Product | Best for | Sizes in stock | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keratex Hoof Gel | Keeping wet and mud off the hoof wall and sole | 500ml, 1 litre | £13.39 |
| Keratex Hoof Moisturiser | Putting moisture back into dry, hard horn | 500ml | £12.44 |
| Keratex Coconut Oil Hoof Balm | Daily conditioning plus a neat finish | 400gm (black or clear) | £15.72 |
| Keratex Cooling Gel | Cooling legs after schooling, jumping or travel | 1 litre | £13.07 |
| Keratex Zeolite | A mineral supplement fed alongside the normal ration | 900gm | £11.21 |
Why do hooves struggle in a British winter?
Too much water is as much of a problem as too little
Hoof horn behaves a bit like a fingernail. Leave it standing in wet mud for weeks and it softens and loses its shape; bake it on rock-hard summer ground and it dries out and goes flaky. The trick is not one magic tub, it is matching the product to the conditions you actually have. A barrier product such as Keratex Hoof Gel helps when the field is a swamp. A moisturiser helps when the ground is like concrete. Using a moisturiser in deep mud, or a barrier on already-parched horn, is the most common mistake we hear about.
Do barefoot horses still need hoof products?
Yes — arguably more so, because there is no shoe taking any of the wear. Barefoot horses live directly on whatever surface they are turned out on, so a barrier in winter and a conditioner in summer both earn their place. Keratex Coconut Oil Hoof Balm is a straightforward daily option here and comes in clear if you would rather not darken a pale hoof.
How should I apply hoof products?
Clean and dry first, every time
Pick out the feet, brush off loose mud and let the hoof dry before you apply anything. Product spread over wet mud mostly sticks to the mud, not the horn. Follow the instructions on the pack for coverage and how often to reapply, and give it time to dry before turnout where the label says to.
How long before I see a difference?
Topical products work on the horn that is already there, so you tend to notice the surface condition change first. Genuine change in the horn growing down from the coronet takes months, because that is simply how fast a hoof grows. Be patient, be consistent, and keep your farrier or trimmer in the loop — regular trimming does more for hoof shape than any tub.
Where do supplements fit in?
Keratex Zeolite (£11.21, 900gm) is a mineral-based supplement fed with the normal ration rather than something applied to the hoof. Supplements support an existing balanced diet — they are not a treatment for a health problem, and they do not cure or fix anything. If your horse has sore feet, recurring abscesses, lameness or horn that is breaking up, speak to your vet and farrier first and treat any supplement as an addition to their advice, not a substitute for it. Introduce new feed products gradually and check competition rules if you compete under them.
What about cooling legs after work?
Keratex Cooling Gel (£13.07, 1 litre) is applied to the legs to help them feel cool and comfortable after schooling, jumping or a long journey. It is a comfort product for sound legs, not a treatment — any heat, swelling or lameness is a call to your vet, not a reason to reach for a gel.
Keratex hoof care FAQs
Should I use Keratex Hoof Gel or Keratex Hoof Moisturiser?
It depends on the ground. Hoof Gel (from £13.39) is the wet-weather choice — it forms a breathable barrier on the hoof wall and sole when your horse is standing in mud. Hoof Moisturiser (from £12.44) is the dry-weather choice, for horn that has gone hard and flaky on baked summer ground. Plenty of owners keep both and switch with the seasons.
Is the Keratex Coconut Oil Hoof Balm black or clear?
Both are available at £15.72 for the 400gm tub. Black gives a darker, more traditional finish and suits dark hooves; clear leaves the natural hoof colour showing, which most people prefer on pale or striped hooves. There is no difference in how you apply them.
How often should I apply hoof products?
Follow the instructions on the individual pack, as they differ between products. As a general rule, apply to a picked-out, dry hoof and reapply more often in demanding conditions — very wet turnout or very dry, hard ground both use products up faster. Consistency beats a heavy one-off application.
Will a hoof supplement fix cracked or brittle hooves?
No. A supplement such as Keratex Zeolite (£11.21) is fed to support an otherwise balanced diet; it is not a cure or a treatment for a hoof problem. Cracking, crumbling horn, abscesses or lameness need your vet and farrier to look at the horse first. If they suggest nutritional support, a supplement can help alongside their plan — and any change shows only as new horn grows down, which takes months.
Can I use these on a barefoot horse?
Yes. The gel, moisturiser and balm are all used on unshod hooves, and barefoot horses often benefit most because nothing else is taking the wear. Keep your usual trimming schedule — no topical product replaces regular, correct trimming.
What size should I buy?
For one or two horses, the smaller sizes are usually plenty — Hoof Gel 500ml at £13.39 or Hoof Moisturiser 500ml at £12.44. If you are doing a whole yard or applying daily through a wet winter, the 1 litre Hoof Gel at £18.21 works out better value per use. Get in touch and our team will help you work out what you will get through.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.