Removing ergots

[Marsha Cassada]

How do you all remove ergots? After a bath they usually peel off, but I'm working on dry horses. I'm not good with a hoof knife. I used side cutters this morning and then a file cleaner. I forget to wear gloves while using that tool--ouch!

 

[NewToMini's]

I think if they're taken care of regularly, they're easy to just peel off.

I've heard to use baby oil to soften them before peeling, but haven't tried it

 

[Rocklone Miniature Horses]

I usually just clip them off.

 

[BSharpRanch]

I clip them off with the hoof nippers.

 

[chandab]

Ergots I clip off with nippers; chestnuts if really long I clip, if not I just peel them off.

 

[paintponylvr]

I've done all of the above except baby oil. Instead of baby oil, I've used vaseline to soften the ergot and the chestnuts.

If I don't take care of them and my farrier finds them before I do, she clips them off with the nippers.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Maybe I will ask my farrier to snip them.