Best Hoof Management for OTTB with flat, brittle feet.

[YoungNag22]

Hi guys,

Would like to know your complete hoof management/maintenance for shod or unshod horses with flat brittle feet, or any other hoof issues!

 

[ktj1891]

What is his current management i.e. field time, hay, hard feed, shod/unshod, work?

I would definitely recommend time out of shoes especially is raced he would have been shod from a very young age and feet not left to form naturally themselves.

Cut out as much sugar/starch from diet if you can. Work little and often (every day ideally). Maybe look at adding a supplement for vits/minerals. I also am using Silverfeet which I am pleased with.

I have ex racer too been out of shoes 2 years but no re-shod in front and bare behind.

 

[YoungNag22]

Hi KTJ1891 - my horse is shod all round 5weekly. He is currently turned out on very good grazing 10hrs a day, has adlib great quality hay and is worked 6 days a week (just recently come back into work from a break so only been hacking out).

He is fed dengie healthy tummy, baileys performance balancer and yea-sacc supplement twice daily. I have been using NAF profeet hoof moisturiser which doesn't seem to have done a lot but a few of the girls at my yard recommend silverfeet too so I think I will have a go with that instead. He also forges sometimes which I know can be down to a hoof imbalance.

I will have a chat with my farrier as he is being re-shod on Wednesday about options for him. Whether that be to give him a break from shoes or to go to 4weekly shoeing's instead.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[ester]

Depends how grass sensitive they are, some horse's feet do seem to not cope with good grazing.

Otherwise a good no iron vitamin and mineral supplement (the performance balancer you currently feed is not one of these) and micronised linseed. Nothing on the feet apart from occasional to prevent any thrush developing when wet.

suggested supplements would be prohoof from proearth, forage plus, equimins advanced complete, equivita