Biotin does it work?

[charlie900]

Just got back from the field Charlie has lost a shoe AGAIN.

When I got him he had crap feet and needs farrier every 4 weeks. I started him on biotin 2 1/2 months ago and feet still rubbish, so am wondering if it works at all. Farrier says to feed gelatine,

has any body else tried it got to be cheaper

 

[sleepingdragon10]

Not really sure that biotin on it's own will do much other than dent your bank balance!

 

[Sooty]

The only problem with feeding gelatine is that it is an animal product. Biotin smells vile!

 

[KatB]

I use a balancer with Biotin in it, along with Alfa A my horses feet have really improved.

My Farrier now certifies my horse has good feet!!

(Although he puts it down to the cob in my boy!!)

Seriuolsy, have seen good results with NAF biotin.

 

[lillie07]

Farriers Formula feed supplement with Kevin Bacons dressing works wonders. I would be wary feeding geletine as its a animal product.

 

[puddicat]

Biotin does it work... No!!!

 

[viola]

Biotin definitely works! At least it did on my stallion! He had horrible feet when I bought him and not so good coat either - he went on biotin and after just 6 months the results were amazing - you could almost see yourself in his coat and his horn grew so much stronger (even my farrier was amazed hehe). I used a Leovet Biotin in powder and later in syrup. Don't know anything about feeding gelatine,sorry.

 

[CrazyMare]

I've heard of the gelatine thing before, but as others say it is an animal product and the horses gut is not designed to digest animal products.

Am I right in thinking the hoof wall is made of keratin? Which is a protein, so the horses diet should be high in vits/minerals/etc that help the consstuction of this protein in the body?

If I'm making no sense ignore me, trying to fit together Biology and Nutrition, possibly not very successfully....

 

[viola]

Hmm, I thought it was more to do with biotin enzymes and their various functions (one being taking vital part in cell renewal).
Plus biotin is just a different name for vitamin H.

I found an article on biotin research that explains a bit more:
http://www.nickint.com/biotin-benefit-horses.shtml

Re: smell - I think leovet adds caramel to their products which makes especially syrups smell absolutely delicious!!

 

[puddicat]

yes, its the same as fingernail. I think the pointis that the diet doesn't have to be high in the necessary vit/mins and amino acids, just not deficient in any of them.

Actually its a bit mischevious to blatently say it doesn't work so I take that back, there have been research studies with various results but some at least have had a positive outcome both in horses and moocows. If it does anything it seems it might increase growth rate by up to 15% and increase hardness of the horn.

 

[puddicat]

That seems like a good article you give the reference for - the 15mg/day for hooves probably comes from a study published in EVJ in 1992 (I'd have t check) in horses where 15mg was found to have an effect and 7.5mg wasn't I seem to remember.

 

[charlie900]

Thanks every body just being a bit impatient maybee, Ill give it another couple of months and start feeding a balancer. Any suggestions on a good one not too expensive? Allways had native ponies that thrived on fresh air and Charlie is a tb so all these balancers and supplements are a bit confusing .

 

[Hattikins]

We use biotin (well i think it has other bits and pieces in it too but mostly biotin) and it works wonders - both mine have fab feet now having both had cr*p feet before. Also have used gelatine and works well too and much cheaper, we only stopped feeding it because we could only find it in leaf form and not powered .

 

[kerrylou123]

the whole foot takes about 9 months to grow, so how are you going to know if its made any difference or not?!?!? Im lucky in the sense that all of my horses have fairly decent feet (saying that they will all come in with missing shoes tomorrow) so i've not had to use any supplements for the feet!

 

[Hattikins]

they've been on it for about 6-8months and have gone from having cracked and crumbly feet to good strong horn and no cracks - thats how i know

 

[kerrylou123]

sorry Hattikins, it wasn't aimed at you, was just a general comment! I'm just lazy and use the quick reply thing.... sorry

 

[KatB]

I use Baileys Lo-Cal, it has the recommended amount of Biotin in for feet improvement. Topspec was also BRILLIANT, but made my horse a bit of a podge.....

 

[guisbrogal]

Biotin definitely works. Ellie's feet were pathetic and she always lost her shoes before the farrier was due. Put her on Biotin and no problems anymore.

Stopped it after a year or so because I thought she didn't need it anymore and a couple of months later shoes started falling off again

She won't eat the one caontaing zinc though

 

[Theresa_F]

Yes it can help. Every now and then Cairo's feet go through a bad patch and he goes on it for 6 months and then is fine for ages.

He is now having simple systems balancer which contains seaweed which is also good for skin and feet and I have stopped the biotin to see how he goes.

 

[montalcino]

My mother's horse has always had awful feet, last year we started feeding seaweed powder and our farrier says they are the best they've ever been in the 10 years she's had the horse

I also put hair conditionair on my horse's feet as my farrier says it does the job as well as anything

Seaweed is a good all round supplement and cheaper than most of the others