Need hoof growth

[Secret Smiley]

During a spell, horse's hoof chipped quite badly and as a result his hoof is now very short and upright.
Is there anything i can feed him to encourage growth??? I'm in Australia


Thanks very much,

Kylie

[Tots N Dots]

from experience I would say seaweed supplement and biotin? I dont know if you get it there but NAF do a good range and you can always buy off the internet? cheers Bev

[*Sez*]

Keratex -I swear by the stuff! My TB has soft, slow growing hooves that chip easily. I hibiscrub and clean his whole hoof, then paint on the Keratex once or twice a week (more if wet weather). It is expensive at £18 sterling in the UK, and if its not in shops over there your vet should be able to get hold of some. Its great stuff, and helps keep the sole from bruising too.

[Jessey]

I agree keratex will help keep what you have got good, but I would recomend something like Farriers Formula as a feed supplement, it will really help the new growth and will mean the new growth should be of better quality.

[MelanieD]

Stuff that chips off the bottom is usually either the hoof attempting to 'self trim' because it is too long or due to infection in the hoof wall. Well attached hoof wall that isn't too long or damaged or infected doesn't usually just chip off. Keratex hoof hardener may help with damage from too much moisture, borax can help with infection in the hoof wall and supplements containing biotin may help with growth but only the outer wall, doesn't help the inner wall at all, so have to be careful with feeding these. If the horse already has a well balanced diet then adding even more biotin by giving a supplement can be a bit of a waste of money.

[shirley]

Would agree. Look at your horses diet. I have a cob, who does have good feet, but we only feed Good Doer, which is really a basic chaff, and then only one scoop at that, but make sure we put in a good quallity vitamin and mineral supplement. He has good feet and good horn growth.
But there are loads of different hoof supplements on the market, all contain biotin etc. Just to remember that it takes monthes for stronger horn to grow down the hoof wall.

[eeyore]

we had ben on Biotin Plus for a month and his feet definately showed encouraged growth.
of course a few months later we pulled his shoes and his feet just SHOT out! :D (as in grew loads really quickly lol)