Feed for Hooves.

[Han15]

Just wondering if someone could point me in the correct direction re my horses current diet, and how it can be altered to help my horses poor hooves? He is currently on-

Spillers Lite balancer
Alfa-A Molasses Free
A scoop of biotin

He has a haynet at night and is on quite poor grazing (is a VERY good doer)

The problem i have is that his back hooves are constantly cracking, i am planning in the winter to take his back shoes off and let his hooves recover, but i cant afford to do that now as he is in medium work-ridden 6days a week, long distance rides, showjumping, XC etc, which his hooves just wouldn't be able to suddenly cope with.

If anyone has any suggestions for changes to his diet i would be very grateful.

Many thanks X

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'd get rid of the alfalfa. We use dried grass chaff (Graze-on) and give a Himalayan salt lick.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I would worry that he is not getting a balanced diet for medium work, make sure you are feeding enough minerals and vitamins.
I would weigh out his balancer, and check that it is enough for his work.
It seems very little total food, if he is in work would he not build up muscle with extra food, rather than put on fat.
Personally, I would feed 50-100gms micronised linseed as an additional energy source which is great for hooves, and 25gm salt.
Can you post a picture, and your estimate of his weight?
Is he getting enough road work, walking will trim off fat.

 

[Han15]

I would worry that he is not getting a balanced diet for medium work, make sure you are feeding enough minerals and vitamins.
I would weigh out his balancer, and check that it is enough for his work.
It seems very little total food, if he is in work would he not build up muscle with extra food, rather than put on fat.
Personally, I would feed 50-100gms micronised linseed as an additional energy source which is great for hooves, and 25gm salt.
Can you post a picture, and your estimate of his weight?

Thank-you for your advice, i will defiantly look up micronised linseed. He certainly does not lack energy at all!

Here are a few pictures of him.

Taken 2 months ago, when he was not in such hard work

Taken a month ago

 

[Miss L Toe]

Certainly seems in nice condition, try the linseed which should also improve the shine on his coat.

 

[Han15]

Certainly seems in nice condition, try the linseed which should also improve the shine on his coat.

Thank-you, i will try the linseed. Do you think he needs anymore shine

 

[Han15]

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[whisp&willow]

i was advised to try "pro balance +" as i wasn't having a forage analysis done.

since feeding a scoop of that and cutting out molasses in her diet, my youngsters feet are much better.

it comes from "dynamic earth" on ebay.

x

 

[Shysmum]

Just changed to Top Spec Lite after trying all the other balancers in the price range, and the lad's looking fab, and his feet (BF) are excellent. This is all he gets, plus grass (muzzled) and hay.

Farrier's Formula is supposed to be excellent x