FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here you'll find answers to the most important questions about our hoof oils, how to use them, and your order.
What matters is not the consistency, but the ingredients. Many products clog the pores, preventing the hoof from absorbing water. Herbal hoof oils with almond oil, jojoba, or essential oils penetrate deeply, allow the hoof to breathe, and prevent sand from sticking. This way, the hoof retains its natural ability to absorb water.
Apply the hoof oil evenly to the clean and dry hoof with a brush. For general care, application 2 to 3 times a week is ideal. Since high-quality, natural hoof oils cannot overtreat the hoof, daily use is also absolutely safe and even explicitly recommended for acute hoof problems.
Treatment depends on the cause: For crumbling hooves, water should be avoided as bacteria, which multiply in moisture, are often involved. For cracks caused purely by dryness, watering combined with a vegetable oil is advisable. Similar to a skin cream, the oil moisturizes the hoof without clogging its pores.
Biotin alone is often inefficient as it is poorly absorbed by the body and takes months to show improvement. High bioavailability is crucial. Additionally, the hoof should be directly nourished externally with a high-quality hoof oil containing essential oils to immediately support growth and horn quality.
The interval depends on the individual hoof growth, but averages 6 to 10 weeks. In cases of diseases such as canker, shorter intervals are necessary. For barefoot horses, caution is advised: A frog that is too short can lead to sensitivity, pain, or hoof abscesses. Coordination with the farrier is essential here.
Healthy hooves usually don't require additional care. As protection against external influences, application 2-3 times a week is advisable. For acute hoof problems, suitable, natural remedies should be applied daily. Look for products that protect against mud and bacteria while providing moisture without clogging the pores.
When choosing the best hoof care product, it's not the origin that matters, but the quality of the ingredients. A truly good product is based on natural components that support hoof growth instead of clogging pores. Another important feature is individualized advice: since hoof problems are complex, a direct contact person is essential. Providers like Huföl offer their own hotline for this purpose, through which photos can even be sent for an initial assessment to find a customized solution.
You can recognize inferior products by a sticky consistency that does not absorb into the hoof but merely forms a film to which sand and dirt adhere. Pay attention to the ingredients: petroleum-based products (such as paraffin or petroleum jelly) clog the pores and prevent natural water absorption. A clear warning sign is also when existing hoof problems do not improve or even worsen despite regular application.
Healthy hooves primarily require daily cleaning to prevent stone bruises and sole irritation. Mud must also be removed to deprive bacteria of a breeding ground. Caution in winter: Too frequent washing with water, combined with stable manure, promotes the growth of bacteria, which can lead to thrush or white line disease. It is better to use a dry dandy brush for cleaning.
A horse that is foot-sore shows an irregular gait, comparable to a person walking barefoot over sharp stones. It does not take even steps, sometimes stumbles slightly, and actively tries to avoid hard or stony ground. Instead, the horse instinctively seeks softer ground, such as grassy areas at the side of the path.
Typical signs of foot soreness:
Cautious gait: The horse places its hooves hesitantly or flat.
Avoidance behavior: It strongly deviates from the gravel path onto the grass verge.
Stumbling: Frequent tripping or "giving way" on uneven ground.
Short strides: The stride length shortens significantly as soon as the ground becomes harder.
Whether a riding break is necessary depends on the horn quality and the reason for the change. With good horn quality and a stable weight-bearing wall, the horse can be ridden immediately as long as it doesn't show any sensitivity. However, if the shoes had to be removed because they no longer held, the horse should not be ridden, as there is a high risk of massive horn parts breaking off.
What to look out for in the first two weeks:
- The Weight-Bearing Wall Check: Is the horse standing correctly on the weight-bearing wall or already on the sole?
- Monitor Abrasion: If the horn wears down too much in the first 14 days, a break or the use of hoof boots is absolutely necessary.
- Targeted Support: * For normal transitions, Hoof Care Oil Plus and Sole Hardener support the hoof. If the horn is already breaking off, the combination of Special Oil and Sole Hardener is ideal for strengthening the structure.
SHIPPING & DELIVERY
Here you'll find answers to the most important questions about shipping and delivery of your order.
For deliveries to Switzerland, import duties, customs fees, or Swiss VAT may apply. These charges are not collected by us and may instead be charged upon import by the shipping carrier or the responsible authorities.
The exact amount depends on Swiss import regulations.
Please contact us as soon as possible at office@hufoel.at if you notice an error in your address after placing your order.
If your order has not yet been shipped, we can usually update the address. Once the package is in transit, changes unfortunately cannot always be guaranteed.
Apply the hoof oil with the brush to a clean, dry hoof. For optimal results, we recommend applying it 2–3 times per week.
Please check the tracking information in your shipping confirmation first. There you can see the current status of your package.
If the status has not changed for several days or your package is taking unusually long to arrive, please contact us at office@hufoel.at with your order number. We will look into it for you.
Apply the hoof oil with the brush to a clean, dry hoof. For optimal results, we recommend applying it 2–3 times per week.
If you are not at home when the delivery is made, the shipping carrier will usually leave a notification or redirect the package to a pickup location.
Please refer to the tracking information, as the exact procedure depends on the respective shipping carrier.
Pickup is possible by prior arrangement. Please contact us in advance so that we can prepare your order and arrange a suitable pickup time.
We process your order as quickly as possible. Orders are usually shipped within 1–3 business days.
Delivery times depend on the destination country and the shipping carrier. As soon as your package has been dispatched, you will receive a shipping confirmation by email.
We currently ship to Austria, Germany, selected EU countries, and Switzerland.
If your country is not available during checkout, please contact us at office@hufoel.at and we will check whether shipping to your location is possible.
Shipping costs are automatically displayed during checkout. They depend on the destination country, the weight of your order, and the selected shipping method.
We offer free shipping on orders over €99.
Ja. Sobald deine Bestellung versendet wurde, erhältst du eine Versandbestätigung per E-Mail. Wenn für deine Versandart eine Sendungsverfolgung verfügbar ist, findest du dort auch den Tracking-Link.