Aloe vera-based formula as emollient on horses’ hooves.

Author: Samuel Pereira Simonato Maria Verônica de Souza Marisa Alves Nogueira Diaz Luiza Neme Frassy José de Oliveira Pinto

Aloe vera-based formula, formula for topical use on horse hoof, treatment affects hooves growth and balance, Aloe vera treatment, topical application of the glycolic extract of A. vera at 20%, equine, trimming, phytotherapy, horse hoof, protects adjacent structures, initiates the dispersion of concussive forces and reduces vibrations generated during the contact of the limb with the ground, four factors influence the quality of horses hooves: heredity, feed, handling and farriery, Growth rate of the hooves, hooves care may one of the determinant factors on the animal’s performance of the intended functions. A healthy hoof, adequately moistened, absorbs impact from the ground much more efficiently than a dry hoof. Every healthy hoof has a thin shiny cover of a material that covers its walls (external layer). The function of such substance is to delay humidity evaporation, a fundamental aspect for maintaining their hydration. The external layer (stratum externum) is lost during shoeing when hooves walls undergo trimming, leading to an increase in moisture loss and, consequently, their dryness, resulting in excessive flaking and cracking , good moisture is important to prevent such excessive dryness, aloe vera gel serves as an emollient ingredient (skin softener) in many lotions, creams, ointments and shampoos, largely applied in domestic usage and in pharmaceutical products, Aloe vera for the skin of horses, aloe vera powder 200x high concentrations (0.25 and 0.5% w/w) increased the amount of water in the cornified layer of the skin after only one application, treatment, the external layer of the wall exfoliated, mainly close to the coronary band, aloe vera emollient dryness reduced, with a better aspect regarding hydration. The farrier also noted a better cutting consistency, reporting hooves with important hard consistency, propylene glycol substance solubilizes keratine of the stratum corneum by occupying hydrogen bonding sites, hooves balance, considering each evaluated variable (hoof angle, heels height and partial widths), Aloe vera glycolic extract, treatment with 50% glycolic extract together with periodic trimming promotes an important improvement of hoof balance what is essential for the proper load distribution during impact of the limb on the ground