feeding for hoof growth

[Jericho]

My boy (owned since September 08) has terrible flat feet and low heels which doesnt affect his hacking happy life but worries me a bit so was wondering whether there is anything I can feed him / put on his hooves which would increase the growth of the hoof so that he can be trimmed at the toe more frequently to sort out his heels?

At the moment my farrier comes every 6 - 7 weeks and takes nothing off the heels, all off the front and not much of that really.

He is fed Top Spec Comp balancer so has good levels of biotin already.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

All of the hoof supplements contain biotin - so if you were to start something like Formula 4 Feet you would need to check that you don't give too much of anything. I have only used F4F so couldn't comment on anything else - but don't forget it take approx 9 months for a new hoof to grow all the way through so it maybe autumn before you see a really significant difference.

 

[hellybelly6]

I would have thought that the feed balancer on its own would be enough for feet. With the biotin on top, it will be unbalancing the feed balancer, if that makes sense.

There isnt much I can feed my horse in the way of supplements, as he is intolerant of alfalfa, garlic, sugar, grass and has to have low protein due to his kidneys.

I have found seaweed very good and surprising. Its reasonably priced and after 8 weeks, for the 1st time, the farrier actually had hoof to trim off!

How long has your horse been having balancer and biotin. It can take up to 9 months to notice a difference. I have also found cornucresine ointment great for hoof growth and quality, but it is messy, although I had great nails from using it.

 

[kerilli]

the best thing for increasing hoof growth that you can apply topically is, i've been told, Hainzl Hufsalbe. I bought a few pots from Germany on trainer's advice. it contains menthol iirc, which stimulates blood flow around the coronet so increasing growth speed... so i was told anyway. i'm using it on the mare but it's too soon to tell if it's speeding things up.
i also feed black sunflower seeds (up to 300g per day) and balancer.

 

[ester]

I would switch off the balancer to something hoof specific I had mine on topspec comp for over 6 months and no difference seen although chemically I should have. Have been feeding naf pro feet powder since oct and using the hoof rub, now much much better. Am probably going to switch to Formula 4 feet in the summer as is pelletted so easier to feed. (have my sample waiting at home to try!)

 

[indi4]

I would feed a supplement especcially for feet. Formula 4 feet is very good at promoting feet growth, and i had very good results with it when i needed to increase hoof growth on my mare