changing feeds and rapid hoof growth

AFlapjack

AFlapjack

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Pony was last shod 12th January. He is normally shod every 6/7 weeks.

He has been on a new feed programme for about a month which consists of Dengie HiFi original, Basic Horse & Pony cubes and NAF Pink Powder.

Today I noticed his feet look like they'll need doing soon but it's only been 3 weeks since he was shod. The nails in his hooves are only about half an inch from the bottom of his shoe.

Can the change in feed have resulted in this rapid hoof growth or am I having a major blonde moment and his feet are fine and I've never noticed the nails so close to the bottom before? :confused:
 
I have my horse on the same only conditioning cubes not pony cubes and his feet dont grow at all and are causing problems (also on farriers formula). I just opened this thread hoping for a miracle cure!! But not sure its the feed as it doesnt affect my horse at all, has the grazing changed at all recently?

Also the nails shouldnt get closer to the shoe as the foot grows out, only futher from the horn/coronet band surely or mabye I am having a total late night blonde moment (genuine question sorry)?
 
Snowysadude said:
I have my horse on the same only conditioning cubes not pony cubes and his feet dont grow at all and are causing problems (also on farriers formula). I just opened this thread hoping for a miracle cure!! But not sure its the feed as it doesnt affect my horse at all, has the grazing changed at all recently?

Also the nails shouldnt get closer to the shoe as the foot grows out, only futher from the horn/coronet band surely or mabye I am having a total late night blonde moment (genuine question sorry)?
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Hmmmm weird! He hasn't changed grazing, no, but has spent the last week stabled and fed adlib hay but I wouldn't think that would make a difference? The only other thing is I've put Keratex hoof hardener on his hooves about once a week for a month.

Yeah that's sorta what I mean. They are further down his hooves from when he was originally shod anyway! When my brother's pony's hooves are near doing, the nails are almost touching the clips on her shoes (she has 2 clips on her fronts as well as hinds) so not sure how the hoof grows with the nails. I'm having all my blonde moments in one I think! I'm confusing myself. :o :rolleyes:
 
Maesfen said:
Couldn't it just be your farrier has put them in shorter than normal? Perhaps it's his way of drumming up custom!
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I guess so, it's certainly a possibility and perhaps I just haven't noticed until now. However, pony is at Uni with me at the moment so I get a different farrier to shoe him during term time so not sure why my farrier would do it. :confused: Mystery!
 
bordermare said:
Why did you change the feeding? Has he been having digestive problems that maybe the new regime has resolved?
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He had lost quite a bit of condition over the past 6 months or so and had covered all the basics so thought change of feed may help him along a bit. Also he had pinworms in the summer.

LucyPriory said:
See http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/barefoot-fred-loses-his-stilettos-and.html

look at the blue line. That length originates at the top and is shortened by trimming (or wear if bare) at the bottom.

There is no increase in length from nail hole to ground. But there will be an increase in length from coronary band to nail hole.
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Hmm ok yeah I see. How do the nails get closer to the clips on the shoes then? :confused:
 
AliceFlapjack said:
He had lost quite a bit of condition over the past 6 months or so and had covered all the basics so thought change of feed may help him along a bit. Also he had pinworms in the summer.

I asked because my horse, once on treatment for her ulcer, also had rapid hoof growth (farrier commented on it). Obviously in her case she was absorbing her food better.

The diet you've changed to sounds like one that is recomended to prevent ulcers. Not suggesting that your lad had ulcers but maybe he finds it easier on his digestion so getting more nutrients.
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bordermare said:
I asked because my horse, once on treatment for her ulcer, also had rapid hoof growth (farrier commented on it). Obviously in her case she was absorbing her food better.

The diet you've changed to sounds like one that is recomended to prevent ulcers. Not suggesting that your lad had ulcers but maybe he finds it easier on his digestion so getting more nutrients.
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Umm that's interesting. I will keep it in mind. Thanks x
 
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