Hoof care

[alexa]

I have this problem every year and would like advice on best methods to improve hoof .

My tb has poor quality hoof wall and bad frogs, he is stabled all year and I manage to improve his feet during this time - never good but gets better. In Summer he is out at grass for 4 to 5 weeks, which is good for him and he enjoys it, alays goes to the same place, knows other horses there and settles immediately. When out he is shod in front but not behind (not allowed), every time he comes back his unshod feet are in a terrible state and he is lame. It takes a week or so before he is ok again. I have asked vets/farrier etc for advice and everyone seems to have conflicting info though all concur that his feet are poor and will always be so, just as some people have weak/fragile hair,nails etc.

Have any of you out there got any advice, ideas ??

thanks
Alex

[Bebe]

First off, I assume you've tried feeding biotin in some shape or form? If not, it's worth a try but there are several brands of supplements around so you might want to ask around for recommendations as to which really work.

As it's summer, his hooves could be brittle due to dry conditions, keratex hoof hardener may help (although I've heard it can make them too hard) or hoof moisture to combat the dry conditions.

If he's coming back lame, he's either breaking enough hoof off to affect the laminae or he gets footsore. Either way, you could look into using some type of hoof boot to turn him out in. You would have to have someone check on him several times during the day to ensure they stay on, and they need to be taken off and the hoof aired out, so to speak, to prevent thrush, etc.

Other than that, if his feet stay decent with shoes on, it may be worth looking into a place where he can be turned out with the hind shoes on. Or, gradually get him used to being turned out without them so his frogs have a chance to toughen up.

Hope this helps.
Amanda

[KarlR]

It is a shame that he cannot be turned out with hind shoes on - this seems a pretty serious restriction.

I was going to suggest biotin supplements (such as Clop or Farriers Formula) or Keratex hardener, but I've been beaten to it! :)

TB's never seem to have good feet, but this seems like a particularly extreme case. Is the turnout poor: i.e. is it well grassed on a soft soil or hard and stony? If the latter it could be that this is causing the feet to break/bruise. If so, it would certainly be sensible to look for a better summer turnout.

Usually the advice on removing shoes is not to do it for short periods, specifically because it does take time for the hoof and sole to harden, and short term lameness is usually the result. Removing them for 4-5 weeks is unfortunately the worst thing that you could do, although I appreciate that you don't have much choice.

The only other choice you have is (as Amanda quite rightly says) boots, but they don't suit all horses, and again would probably be at the discretion of the yard. You would also need periodic checks to make sure the boots were still okay and replace them as necessary.

My personal choice would be to look for somewhere that is more flexible and that appreciates that a "no shoes" policy causes suffering to your horse.

[Wally]

Keratex hoof hardner is good. It can be bought from a company called EPC, in Frome, Somerset GB. (I think) It is not an oil but does work to harden the feet. Thoroughbreds can be prone to what you describe. I'd really try for more turnout and shoes to help the back feet. You could end up with permanent hoof problems if he/she cannot manage without shoes.

Best of luck, it's a real problem.

Get a local saddler to make a pair of leather sandals for the horse to wear, this is what we do with sore footed horses, they can be worn indoors and out. It can help.

[floppy]

leather sandals? im intrigued!:)
are they expensive?
Because i was just thinking that horse 'boots' are expensive and if you horse loose on in mud you may never find it again especailly when another hrose treads ontop of it (this happened not so long ago..oen got sucked off this little girls share pony)and replacement would be expensive especailly if your horse becomes prone to slipping his boots off!

i would also be inclined to see if the horses can eithe rbe turned out seperately or if you can find a new place that allows the shoes seeign as your horse is suffering from naked tootsies

[alexa]

Thanks for your input.

I will try the extra strong Biotin and will see if I can get some Kerotex next time I am in the UK. I am also interested in the lether protections as I have a saddler here that makes all sorts of odd things and will put it too him.

I hesitate to change the place - which is good grazing and not rocky/stony, simply because he is used to it and he takes soo long to settle down anywhere new (when moved to my current stables it was months before he was calmed)- so his mental is at least as important as his physical. What I can do is ask if he can be kept in a smaller area of the park and see if I can get permission to keep his shoes on. Anyhow thanks for getting back as I think a number of your suggestions ae worth trying.

[superstar]

Hi

Just to say that you should try Hardy hoof from Feedmark - my donkey had very bad feet but since using feedmark feet grow back much quicker and seem much stronger and better quality hoof.

We also use life data hoof disinfectant which kills off all the nasty bacteria which eat away at the hoof.

This combination seems to work very well.

[rainbowphonic]

i know exactly how you feel!!! i have a TB who has got low heels and flat feet. He has also suffered from cracked feet and the farrier has had to come out several times to put shoes back on.

As a result from this i have started giving him "hoof and hide" by NAF , which is designed to help strengthen hooves and encourages new growth. i have been using this product for about 3 weeks, and i can already see an improvement.

Also try and get your farrier to lift your horses heels up as much as possible, this will encourage the feet to grow upwards and take the pressure off his frog,heels and toe.

From what i have learnt i would avoid using any products on his hooves... oil - seals the hoof wall, stopping any moisture to be released or taken in by the hoof.
hardener - in the long run can lead to over hardening and cracked hooves
moisturiser - can make the hooves to sort and brittle.

The best thing is to experiment, different things work better for different horses. However, a suppliment is better because the horse can take exactly what it needs from what you are feeding it!

good luck

[katyptaty]

HI

i have a friend with the same problem after bad farriery and turn out whilst in france... his hind feet are now really brittle and she is at her wits' end! she is trying Old Mac boots at present which are like the leather 'shoes' already mentioned. maybe have a look at the robinsons website as i think they have a picture of them to give you an idea.

also, i agree with the last comment about certain oils/hoof hardeners in the market. in the long term they can make matters worse.

i got some information last night about a specialist in the UK (surrey i think) who says that feeds we give horses - ALL feeds, take away the protective layer that wild horses have on their hooves. He had a case study with bad feet and advised just alfalfa feed. the horse became better once the natural hardener on the hooves rejuvenated and is now not shod at all....

also, my friend advocates homeopathic remedies which are better on the wellbeing of the horse/......

she uses 3 homeopathic supplements for his feet which are based on Crotalus, seaweed and Calcium. she also says the following about supplements 'Remember, none of these supplements are of any use at all if the horse's gut is unable to absorb them or if the supplement conflicts with another or the feeding regime'. word of warning!

also, there is a website where she has found a lot of information and help. this is an extract:

'For grazing animals, an important source of minerals is the pasture and grain that they are fed. Unfortunately, if the soil the pasture and grains were grown on is lacking in minerals or unbalanced, grazing animals are unable to access minerals in the correct balance to keep them healthy

No matter how lush and green looking the grass may be, if the correct minerals are not available to the plants, then the animals grazing this land will be mineral deficient and problems will occur.

After one to two years, I started to have feed back from some of our farriers:

" …much healthier feet..."

"…shoes staying on better…"

"…white line disease (seedy toe ) is disappearing…"

"… horses are quieter, easier to handle…"

One vet said that there had been an 80% reduction in foot abscesses in the area with owners using minerals. I now have testimonials from customers who have had great success using minerals to clear up and help control things such as: - warts - dandruff - mud fever
- lice - infertility - ringbone
- flighty horses - stringhalt - fungal conditions
- arthritis - rain scald - split and cracking feet
- manes and tails not growing - strange skin conditions'


the website is http://www.horseandanimalhealth.com/

i hope that this helps!