Crumbling hoof/white line disease

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c7mlm

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Hi have had the vet and farrier out to my 4yo who has 1 bad crumbling hoof, other 3 not too bad, but shoes were loose. She is unable to have shoes nailed back on. I have had x ray done and shoes taken off. Have put her on Biotin and using Keratex. Am i best leaving her barefoot or using imprint shoes, she is not showing any sign of lameness. I was thinking of going down the barefoot route with a good boot for a while. Any suggestions really welcome.
 
This is something you really need to talk through with your farrier.

before going BF, the diet needs to be sorted out, and I would suggest reading Feet First by Nic Barker and co (I think that's right). You may need to use hoof boots to begin with too.

Hope that helps :)
 
I think leaving the shoes off, sorting diet is a great idea op. Give her chance to grow a stronger, healthier hoof and then you can reassess. :)
 
the internal structure of the hoof are still developing at 4 yrs old so I'd definitely sort the diet and give him a chance to grow a stronger hoof without shoes.
 
For the third time i will try to reply on this stupid phone.Diet most important. Pro Hoof, Pro Balance +, Equimins META Balance, Forage Plus Balancer - pick one to improve the hoof quality.The WL will improve with diet and also when the wall is no longer bearing the whole weight of the horse. Engaging the whole weight bearing surface of the hoof takes the pressure off the wall, laminae and WL.Look at the Boot Bible thread on the Phoenixhorse forum for advice on boots.They are a good tool to use when a hoof is still weak.
 
I am going to try the barefoot route, what do you recommend as a good feed diet, I have been looking at Dengie Healthy Hoof ?
 
A barefoot diet involves more than just feeding Healthy Hooves tho that is a good start - you need to research it carefully.

My pony is on just a lo-cal balancer (he is a good doer and doesn't want the full amount of Healthy Hooves that would be needed to give him the right nutrition), grass (muzzled tho) and hay.

Exercise is also key - the harder the hooves are worked, the faster and stronger they grow.

Hope that helps a bit :)
 
Forage is the horses main source of nutrients so that is the first place to start. I don't mean rush out and get it tested but if the horse isn't responding to Oberon's suggestions above then ime sugar levels especially in forage is the next stop and may mean some altering of turn out time or time of day, switch of dry forage or even soaking hay etc.

It does take time, a hoof cannot repair damage such as white line disease it has to be grown out and may mean grow a new healthy hoof from coronary band to ground and then more time to build hoof internal structures such as digital cushion.
 
c7mlm said:
I am going to try the barefoot route, what do you recommend as a good feed diet, I have been looking at Dengie Healthy Hoof ?
Click to expand...
You will probably have to make up your own feed mix, in summer you need to be careful not to put any excess weight on.
As a start:
Feed 1/2 to one kg Fast Fibre mash for basic minerals, add one of the hoof supplements as per Oberon, also some micronised linseed meal [less than a coffe cup as it could be fattening.
In winter you can use non molassed sugar beet.
Make sure you cut out any sugars or molasses. If the grass is lush it will be full of sugars, particularly in the morning.
If there is a danger of laminitis, I suggest you phone/email Equimins [Matt], and find out what they recommend as they have several products.
 
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