Thursday, June 23, 2011

Gas Chamber Hoof: Updated Version



Yes, it is once again time to torture Salem with Gas Chamber Hoof (known to the general public as White Lightning). Salem's hooves look great and you would never guess he has any issues; but when he's freshly trimmed, you can see some little areas in the white line that aren't quite as tight as they should be -- that's fungus. And it just hasn't resolved despite daily hoof-picking and spraying with ACV, so it's time to take out the big guns.

For those of you unfamiliar with WL, it's a product that kills bacteria, fungus, spores (even Anthrax!), and viruses while doing zero damage to healthy hoof tissue. Once mixed with white vinegar, it creates a bad-stuff-killing gas, so the horse's hoof must be enclosed in some form of "gas chamber." Last year, I used gallon-sized Ziploc bags with duct tape and Vetrap, which worked well but was a giant PITA.

This year, I've adopted Candy's method: buy a dry sack from a sporting good store (they're usually in the kayaking/other-water-sports section), put the solution and hoof in the dry sack, and secure the top with an Ace bandage. And voila! New Improved High-Vis Yellow Gas Chamber Hoof!


As you can see, I did a crappy job of putting the dry sack on Salem's leg. It started slipping, so
 I had to adjust it midway through the 40-minute soak


"I am not amused. Give me more mints."

So far, we're only two hooves into the treatment (because I am a BAD, procrastinating owner!). I do have two dry sacks, but I don't want to push Salem's patience so we're only doing one hoof at a time. He has another trim scheduled for Friday, so we'll see if we've killed all the fungus or if we must continue with Gas Chamber Hoof adventures.


At least he has a nice view for his 40-minute soaks!


4 comments:

SprinklerBandit said...

Silly Salem... his mask makes it look like he has bug eyes and the gas chamber, too? Quite fun.

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

Is that an F'ing pool I see in his view?! JEALOUS..and where do you board at?! Luxury!
Anyhoo-love the yellow gas chamber. What your thoughts b/w WL vs CleanTrax? xo

Frizzle said...

Hahaha, yes Kristen that is a pool. Not a horsey pool, unfortunately, just a regular human pool. I do love our barn, although I WISH we had more turn-out and some big fields!

Nina said...

That is so awesome! Salem is the best patient ever!!!