Anyones horses feet really cracking?

[Stenners]

My horse has suddenly got really cracked feet over the last few weeks - they've always been a little dodgy but they are super cracked at the moment. She was shod on Monday and by Wednesday already sounded like it was a little loose. My farrier said it's common due to the sudden change in ground with weather hot then wet etc. Can I change anything in her diet or any recommendations of any hoof supplements?

 

[Belmont]

My shod horse is the same over the summer. I've just been applying Kevin Bacon dressing daily, not much else to be done sadly!

 

[Stenners]

My shod horse is the same over the summer. I've just been applying Kevin Bacon dressing daily, not much else to be done sadly!

How often does your horse get shod? Do they manage to hold the shoes on? I did hear adding Gelatin to their feed can be helpful

 

[Belmont]

How often does your horse get shod? Do they manage to hold the shoes on? I did hear adding Gelatin to their feed can be helpful

He's done every 6 weeks, farrier didn't want to do them any earlier than that. He's notorious for pulling shoes, and last pulled one mid-jumping round in May, but he's managed to keep them on since with overreach boots and KB dressing.

 

[Stenners]

He's done every 6 weeks, farrier didn't want to do them any earlier than that. He's notorious for pulling shoes, and last pulled one mid-jumping round in May, but he's managed to keep them on since with overreach boots and KB dressing.

Do you find kevin Bacon really helps?

 

[Jambarissa]

My cob with rick hard feet is suddenly struggling.

Kevin Bacon cream does work. It's mainly lard so I make my own

 

[Squeak]

I've been using hoof oil morning and evening when fed (unless the grass is wet and he can get moisture that way) and then put naf hoof moist on when he's been ridden. He also gets biotin in his feed. Others will probably be more knowledgeable than me but my farrier has been pleased with his feet through this weather.

 

[Stenners]

I've been using hoof oil morning and evening when fed (unless the grass is wet and he can get moisture that way) and then put naf hoof moist on when he's been ridden. He also gets biotin in his feed. Others will probably be more knowledgeable than me but my farrier has been pleased with his feet through this weather.

I thought about feeding Biotin but my balancer does have it in so didn't want to overload!

 

[Squeak]

I thought about feeding Biotin but my balancer does have it in so didn't want to overload!

Have you double checked that you've got the full amount of Biotin in the balancer? Quite a lot of them don't have the full recommended dose so you could potentially top it up.

 

[Melody Grey]

If I remember correctly, biotin can be synthesised by horses who are correctly nourished. Years ago we used to add it to feeds thinking it was a wonder fix, but I don’t think it’s still considered so. Provided the overall horn quality is there, I don’t think feeding biotin will do much.

The sudden change in weather is causing the cracking- everyone I know is saying the same. Keep oiling!

 

[Stenners]

Have you double checked that you've got the full amount of Biotin in the balancer? Quite a lot of them don't have the full recommended dose so you could potentially top it up.

It says 30.....

 

[Stenners]

If I remember correctly, biotin can be synthesised by horses who are correctly nourished. Years ago we used to add it to feeds thinking it was a wonder fix, but I don’t think it’s still considered so. Provided the overall horn quality is there, I don’t think feeding biotin will do much.

The sudden change in weather is causing the cracking- everyone I know is saying the same. Keep oiling!

Will definately up the oiling!

 

[Hallo2012]

tin hat on....its almost certainly mainly foot balance rather than anything else.

the wet/dry cycle of weather can exacerbate fungal problems which affect how the foot holds a shoe, its unikely to be purely the weather.

i dont put anything on my two (barefoot) but they get trimmed every 10 days to keep the balance correct, and work on a variety of surfaces and dont have a single crack.

 

[Orangehorse]

I wouldn't put oil on. How about feeding a balancer?

 

[mavandkaz]

TBs feet are a little cracked around the clenches, but nothing awful (and not as bad as last year in the very dry weather).
Cob, who was always barefoot, but currently shod Infront has no cracks.
But, several on the yard, including my cob have had lose shoes over the last two weeks or so. This is using various farriers. I think the heavy dew/rain, then days of dry and wind are making feet expand/contract leading to loose shoes. I have also reduced shoeing cycles as the are both growing so much hoof due to the lush grass.

 

[Stenners]

I wouldn't put oil on. How about feeding a balancer?

She's already on a balancer and has been since I got her 2 years ago

 

[Orangehorse]

She's already on a balancer and has been since I got her 2 years ago

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

tin hat on....its almost certainly mainly foot balance rather than anything else.

the wet/dry cycle of weather can exacerbate fungal problems which affect how the foot holds a shoe, its unikely to be purely the weather.

i dont put anything on my two (barefoot) but they get trimmed every 10 days to keep the balance correct, and work on a variety of surfaces and dont have a single crack.

This I don't put anything on mine either in my view stuff you paint on does nothing, good feet comes from within so good feeding and making sure they get what they need, good trimming and I rasp mine in-between trims to keep them tidy.

 

[ycbm]

There are balancers and balancers. Most UK grazing contains too much iron. That prevents the horse from taking up copper. That results in poor quality feet that can crack.

A balancer that has added iron and/or manganese is likely to make the feet in the horses which are fed it worse, not better, if the horse is already on iron rich forage.

Molassed feeds can do the same.
.

 

[Belmont]

This I don't put anything on mine either in my view stuff you paint on does nothing, good feet comes from within so good feeding and making sure they get what they need, good trimming and I rasp mine in-between trims to keep them tidy.

Yes the hoof wall can't absorb anything, but the dressing acts as a barrier. Admittedly I've only just started using it in the last couple of months but it's definitely made a difference.