Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing

Instead, Kevin Bacon’s uses Laurel leaves infused in natural grease from animals that is easily

Want a hoof dressing using laurel-leaf-infused animal grease that the hoof actually absorbs?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026

Kevin Bacon's 1 Litre Hoof Dressing Natural Laurel Balm tub, SKU 70-080, distributed by Anvil Brand

Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing Distributed by Anvil Brand Shoe Company
Unlike other hoof formulas which rely on paraffin, vaseline or silicone which the hoof can not absorb. Instead, Kevin Bacon’s uses Laurel leaves infused in natural grease from animals that is easily absorbed by the hoof!

About Anvil Hoof Brand Exclusive USA Distributor for Kevin Bacons Hoof Dressing
Anvil Brand Shoe Company has been manufacturing horseshoes, farrier tools and hoofcare products since 1978. We have horseshoes and hoofcare products on the Budweiser Clydesdales, Sea World and Disney horses, and famous hitches belonging to Express Personnel, Ames Construction and the Heinz hitch. Our reputation for quality products and superior service is unsurpassed. Our decision to become the exclusive USA Dealer for Kevin Bacon’s Hoof Dressing was based upon our desire to carry the very best in hoof care products. Kevin Bacon’s makes a completely absorbable, all natural, hoof dressing that offers extremely good results. We simply are the World's Best Hoofcare Store™ and are excited to bring this to our American clients.

How Did Kevin Bacon Decide To Formulate This Incredible Hoof Dressing?
Says creator, Jean Jacques,This ointment originates from the time when I myself owned a horse which was suffering from an avulsion fracture of the front right heel. Unable to find any products on the market to heal it, we teamed up with several friends who are vets, homeopaths and chemists and carried out some research, which gave rise to Kevin Bacon's, a 100% natural and traditional product based on animal fat, vegetable oil and fresh bay leaves. Today Kevin Bacon's is sold just about everywhere in Europe and is regularly used by the best riders in the world.

Note: Kevin Bacon's is highly valued by prestigious trotting and racing stables as well as by show-jumping and dressage professionals. During the last Olympic Games, more than half the riders chosen for the show-jumping final used Kevin Bacon’s.

Kevin Bacon's 1 Litre Hoof Dressing Natural Laurel Balm tub, SKU 70-080, distributed by Anvil Brand

What makes Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing different from a shine product?

Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing is a natural laurel balm built to nourish the hoof from the inside out rather than just give the horn a cosmetic gloss. As the maker puts it, the formula "does not merely give the horn a pretty shine, it also penetrates and nourishes the hoof deep down." That deep penetration is the whole point: paraffin, vaseline and silicone sit on the surface, while this balm is absorbed by the horn so the hoof wall stays conditioned from within.

Kevin Bacon's 1 Litre Liquid Hoof Dressing bottle for horse hoof care

Who makes Kevin Bacon's and who distributes it in the USA?

The balm is manufactured in Belgium (Grâce-Hollogne) by the Kevin Bacon's brand, which has produced it using the same traditional artisanal method for more than three decades. Anvil Brand Shoe Company is the exclusive USA distributor, supplying farriers and horse owners alongside its own line of horseshoes, farrier tools and hoofcare products. Anvil Brand is based at 500 S. Spencer St., P.O. Box 198, Lexington, IL 61753, reachable at or.

Kevin Bacon's 500 ml Liquid Hoof Dressing for nourishing and protecting the hoof wall

What is actually in the balm, and why laurel leaves?
The original Hoof Dressing is a 100% natural product made from animal fat and fresh laurel (bay) leaves that are macerated to release their active substances, with no solvents or crude-oil derivatives. The fat carries the laurel's actives into the horn, where they help activate and support healthy growth. There is also a Liquid Hoof Dressing built on vegetable oils instead of animal fat: soybean oil (61%), sunflower oil (27.5%), neem oil (6%), cod liver oil (5%) and bay leaf extracts (0.5%).

Kevin Bacon's 500 ml Liquid Hoof Dressing alternate product view

How does the dressing protect a hoof through wet and dry seasons?

Regular use keeps the hoof wall from drying out, guards against dampness and moisture, and maintains the suppleness and elasticity of the horn while activating horn growth. For barrel racers and other hard-working horses, that balance matters because hooves cycle between soaked arena footing and dry, cracking conditions. A dedicated Winter Formula carries 25% more oil so the balm keeps a soft, creamy, spreadable consistency in cold weather instead of stiffening.

Black or natural — which version should you reach for?

Both the natural and black variants are available. The black version is colored with natural vine ash, which adds mild antiseptic properties without changing the quality of the balm — a tidy choice for show turnout. For frogs and soles that have gone soft, sensitive, smelly or thin, Kevin Bacon's also offers Frog Shield, a separate liquid whose active ingredients are honey (84.4%) and silver (0.1%), applied during a shoeing renewal to maintain the sole, white line and frog.

What sizes, prices and how to apply it?
Through Anvil Brand, the 1 Litre Hoof Dressing Natural Laurel Balm (SKU 70-080) is $29.95, the 1 Litre Liquid Hoof Dressing is $38.75, the 500 ml Liquid Hoof Dressing is $25.85, the "Green" Nourishing Vegetable Balm is $38.75, and the 190 ml Frog Shield is $35.50. The brand recommends brushing the balm onto the outside wall, sole and frog twice weekly for normal care, 4-5 times weekly in dry weather, and once before competition for appearance; for an intensive course, hose the feet, dry thoroughly, apply daily for one week.

Share This Solution

Facebook X LinkedIn Email

Follow Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing

The Solution Section (FAQ)

How did Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing come to be?

Says creator Jean Jacques: This ointment originates from the time when I myself owned a horse which was suffering from an avulsion fracture of the front right heel. Unable to find any products on the market to heal it, we teamed up with several friends who are vets, homeopaths and chemists and carried out some research, which gave rise to Kevin Bacon's, a 100% natural and traditional product based on animal fat, vegetable oil and fresh bay leaves.

Where did the name Kevin Bacon's come from?

In 1984 Jean Jacques formed a partnership with his good friend Kevin Bacon — an internationally renowned Australian jockey who was so impressed by the Hoof Dressing that he wanted to put his name on it. After a few years of selling the product to show jumpers and horse people, customers just started calling it Kevin Bacon's, and the name stuck.

What is Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing made of, and how is it different?

Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing is based in natural, easily absorbable animal fats steeped with Laurel leaves to create a Laurel balm for hoof care. Unlike formulas that rely on paraffin, vaseline, or silicone — which the hoof cannot absorb — Kevin Bacon's penetrates the horn to nourish the hoof deep down. It has been manufactured by traditional methods for more than 25 years; the laurel leaves naturally stimulate hoof growth and help strengthen and condition the hoof.

Does Kevin Bacon's offer a Liquid Hoof Dressing too?

Yes. The Liquid Hoof Dressing minimizes hoof cracks and can be applied to the wall after shoeing to prevent bacteria penetration. It contains essential oils of the Neem tree, which grows in India — its antiseptic and antibacterial properties are well-regarded. Kevin Bacon has a medical background that helped in the formulation of these products.

How often should I apply Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing?

Normal usage is 2 times per week. In the event of severely dry hooves, 3 times a week will work wonders. Apply in a thin layer from the coronet band on down to cover the entire hoof; it absorbs completely after application.

What is Anvil Brand Shoe Company's role with Kevin Bacon's?

Anvil Brand Shoe Company has been manufacturing horseshoes, farrier tools, and hoofcare products since 1978. Their decision to become the exclusive USA Dealer for Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing was based on a desire to carry the very best in hoof care products. Anvil Brand horseshoes and hoofcare products are on the Budweiser Clydesdales, Sea World and Disney horses, and famous hitches belonging to Express Personnel, Ames Construction, and the Heinz hitch.

How much does Kevin Bacon's cost?

Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing is $17.60, and the Liquid Dressing is $28.10.

What is Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing made of?

The original Hoof Dressing is a 100% natural balm made from animal fat and fresh laurel (bay) leaves. The leaves are macerated to release their active substances into the fat, and no solvents or crude-oil derivatives are used. This is the formula the brand has produced by the same traditional method for over three decades.

Why use laurel leaves instead of paraffin or vaseline?

Paraffin, vaseline and silicone sit on the surface of the horn and the hoof cannot absorb them. Kevin Bacon's instead infuses laurel leaves in a natural animal-fat base that the hoof readily absorbs, so the conditioning works from within. The result is a dressing that nourishes the hoof deep down rather than only adding a cosmetic shine.

Who distributes Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing in the United States?

Anvil Brand Shoe Company is the exclusive USA distributor for Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing. Anvil Brand also manufactures and supplies horseshoes, farrier tools and hoofcare products, and stocks the full Kevin Bacon's line for American farriers and horse owners. They can be reached at 800-365-8202 or [email protected].

Where is Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing manufactured?

The balm is made in Belgium, in Grâce-Hollogne, by the Kevin Bacon's brand. It is produced artisanally using a traditional method that the company has kept consistent for more than 30 years.

What does Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing do for the hoof?

Regular application keeps the hoof wall from drying out, protects against dampness and moisture, and helps maintain the horn's suppleness and elasticity. It also activates and supports healthy horn growth. Because it penetrates and nourishes rather than just coats, it conditions the hoof from the inside out.

How often should I apply the dressing?

For normal care the brand recommends brushing it onto the outside wall, sole and frog twice a week. In dry weather you can increase to 4-5 applications per week. Before a competition a single application is suggested, mainly for appearance.

How do I apply it to the hoof?

Use a brush to work the balm over the outside of the hoof wall, the sole and the frog. For an intensive treatment, hose the feet, dry them thoroughly, apply the dressing, and repeat daily for one week. The brushable consistency makes it easy to cover the whole hoof evenly.

Is there a black version and what is it for?

Yes, Kevin Bacon's is available in both natural and black variants. The black version is colored with natural vine ash, which also gives it mild antiseptic properties without affecting the quality of the balm. It is a popular choice for show turnout where a darker, finished look is wanted.

Is there a winter formula?

Yes. The Winter Formula contains 25% more oil so the balm stays soft, creamy and spreadable in cold temperatures. This prevents the dressing from stiffening up and keeps it easy to brush on through the winter months.

What is the difference between the balm and the Liquid Hoof Dressing?

The original is a fat-based balm using animal fat and macerated laurel leaves. The Liquid Hoof Dressing is a 100% natural vegetable-oil formula made from soybean oil (61%), sunflower oil (27.5%), neem oil (6%), cod liver oil (5%) and bay leaf extracts (0.5%). Both nourish the horn, but the liquid pours and brushes on and suits owners who prefer a non-animal-fat option.

What is Kevin Bacon's Frog Shield and how is it different?

Frog Shield is a separate liquid product aimed at the sole and frog rather than the hoof wall. Its active ingredients are honey (84.4%) and silver (0.1%), and it is recommended for frogs and soles that have become soft, sensitive, smelly or too thin. Farriers often apply it during a shoeing renewal to help maintain the health of the sole, white line and frog.

What sizes does Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing come in?

From the manufacturer the balm is offered in 250 ml, 1 litre, 2.5 litre and 5 litre sizes. Through Anvil Brand in the USA you will commonly find the 1 Litre Natural Laurel Balm (SKU 70-080), along with 500 ml and 1 litre liquid versions and the Frog Shield.

How much does it cost through Anvil Brand?

At Anvil Brand the 1 Litre Hoof Dressing Natural Laurel Balm is $29.95, the 1 Litre Liquid Hoof Dressing is $38.75, the 500 ml Liquid Hoof Dressing is $25.85, the Green Nourishing Vegetable Balm is $38.75, and the 190 ml Frog Shield is $35.50. Prices and availability are set by the distributor and may vary.

Is Kevin Bacon's good for barrel racing horses?

Barrel horses cycle between damp arena footing and dry conditions, which stresses the hoof wall, and Kevin Bacon's is built to handle exactly that by protecting against moisture while keeping the horn supple and growing. Conditioning the wall, sole and frog regularly helps maintain strong, healthy feet under hard work. The black or natural balm also makes for a clean, finished look on competition day.

Is the product natural and free of petroleum?

Yes. The original balm is described as 100% natural, made only from animal fat and fresh laurel leaves, with no solvents and no crude-oil derivatives. The liquid version is likewise 100% natural, built on vegetable oils and bay leaf extracts rather than petroleum products.

Will it help with cracked or brittle hooves?

Because the balm penetrates the horn to keep it from drying out and supports horn growth, it is well suited to maintaining hooves that tend to crack or go brittle. The brand suggests an intensive course — hose, dry, and apply daily for a week — when feet need extra recovery. Consistent twice-weekly use thereafter helps keep the wall conditioned and elastic.

Who uses Kevin Bacon's Hoof Dressing?

The brand states the dressing is used and recommended by riding professionals, and Anvil Brand stocks it for farriers as part of a professional hoofcare line. Its long track record and natural composition have made it a staple for owners who want deep conditioning rather than a surface-only shine.