Before applying sugardine check with your veterinarian or farrier to confirm if this is a good option for your horse.
Article co-written with Kendra LeBoeuf, weekend barn supervisor.
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So, what is sugardine and why does it work?
Sugardine is made up of sugar (the kind you would find in the kitchen) and betadine. Betadine is commonly used as a wound cleanser, and, mixed with sugar it can be a great treatment for thrush and abscesses since it draws out infection, and also toughens and hardens hooves! Lastly, it will not damage healthy tissue.
What You’ll Need
- Betadine
- Sugar
- Diapers
- Vet wrap
- Duct tape
- Scissors
To Make Sugardine
Start with about 1 cup of sugar, slowly mix in betadine until you form a paste. The paste should be similar to the consistency of peanut butter.
To Apply To Horse’s Hoof
You will first want to pick out the hoof, making sure it is clean of debri.
Pour or brush the mixture over the bottom of the hoof, making sure to pack it in the clefts.
Next, wrap the hoof in a diaper, newborn size diapers fit most horse hooves. Then, wrap around the hoof and diaper with vet wrap so everything stays in place.
To add a waterproof barrier add duct tape to the outside of the vet wrap to keep the bandage dry. If you plan to turn your horse out, you may want to use a boot.
Sugardining is usually only done a few days in a row, you don’t want the hoof to become too hard.
About Kendra
In my job as Weekend Supervisor at a large horse farm, I ensure the upkeep, and proper care of the horses. Additionally, I’m responsible setting tasks for the day and ensuring staff are on task. In my role, it is crucial to be able to act on my feet to handle any unfortunate situations that arise.
If you have other horsey DIY tips, please leave them below in the comments! If you liked this article, please be sure to share!
