Feeding: how long do you test for?

[SpotsandBays]

Just curious - how long do you feed a new foodstuff or supplement before you decide whether it’s been beneficial or not?
Maybe I’m asking a “how long is a piece of string question”, but just interested in your experiences. I feel like realistically, things would take quite before you see changes (or don’t), for example feeding things for the coat or hooves?
Also, whilst I’m here! Any good supplements/feeds for hoof health? My youngster has rather flat feet that seem to wear fairly easily. Farrier never really has to take much off when he’s having his trims, and reckons he’s going to be one of those that needs shoes (fine if that’s the case) but if there’s anything worth trying I’d love to hear it!

 

[windand rain]

Takes a year for a foot to grow out but feedstuff can be seen in weeks especially during coat changes

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

When I added marigold to E's feed to help with filling legs it didn't make a difference until the second bag of food to take effect (about 2 months) but they had warned me it would be slow the first time. Now if I feed it, the effect takes about a week to show.

 

[laura_nash]

For flat feet I'd generally be looking to remove stuff (sugar particularly) first. I'd also make sure he's fairly lean.

Hoof health is really a reflection of overall health, particularly gut and metabolism health. Plenty of fibre, little sugar and a good spec no iron mineral supplement is usually best feed wise.

If they wear easily and don't grow much, are they getting much stimulation? If he's just on soft ground there might be nothing wrong, hoof growth and toughness will adjust to wear levels to some extent.

To answer the original question I'd usually want to see a change in about a month, though it does depend on the feed/supplement and what I'm feeding it for. Obviously negative reactions can happen much quicker than that.

 

[Bernster]

As above, I’ve seen changes in the hoof after about a month.

 

[Annagain]

Slightly different situation but just goes to show how quickly the body can react. Monty suffers with a scabby rash on his back legs which starts in autumn, maintains at a fairly low level in winter, goes mad in spring then more or less disappears in summer. Vet was stumped. We then realised it was food related when he was a bit fat one Autumn so we didn't start feeding him hard feed when we normally would and the rash didn't appear. When we did start his feed, we did it one thing at a time. Grass chaff was fine, cool mix started the rash off a little bit after about 3 days then molassed sugar beet sent it crazy within two days. Within 3 or 4 days of stopping it, it had calmed down and seemed less itchy but it took weeks for the scabs to come off and the hair to grow back.

 

[SpotsandBays]

For flat feet I'd generally be looking to remove stuff (sugar particularly) first. I'd also make sure he's fairly lean.

Hoof health is really a reflection of overall health, particularly gut and metabolism health. Plenty of fibre, little sugar and a good spec no iron mineral supplement is usually best feed wise.

If they wear easily and don't grow much, are they getting much stimulation? If he's just on soft ground there might be nothing wrong, hoof growth and toughness will adjust to wear levels to some extent.

To answer the original question I'd usually want to see a change in about a month, though it does depend on the feed/supplement and what I'm feeding it for. Obviously negative reactions can happen much quicker than that.

Thanks for the reply! He’s a rising 3yrold warmblood. Always been slightly on the leaner side (hes so gangly ?). He’s out 24/7 now, (would have been over winter but was in for 2 months on box rest due to injury so was on ad-lib hay for that period as well as his morning and evening feeds). The ground is fairly hard now but was very soft over winter.
Farrier says he has lovely neat feet, but they are rather flat. I can get pictures later if you’re interested.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Slightly different situation but just goes to show how quickly the body can react. Monty suffers with a scabby rash on his back legs which starts in autumn, maintains at a fairly low level in winter, goes mad in spring then more or less disappears in summer. Vet was stumped. We then realised it was food related when he was a bit fat one Autumn so we didn't start feeding him hard feed when we normally would and the rash didn't appear. When we did start his feed, we did it one thing at a time. Grass chaff was fine, cool mix started the rash off a little bit after about 3 days then molassed sugar beet sent it crazy within two days. Within 3 or 4 days of stopping it, it had calmed down and seemed less itchy but it took weeks for the scabs to come off and the hair to grow back.

Oh that’s really interesting to read! Thanks! Its amazing what a simple change can do

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My boy, blanket appaloosa developed a skin problem over his back and quarters one year (all on the white bits). Combination of overheating under his rug in unseasonably warm weather then getting wet when I removed his rug and the weather turned abruptly. He was very prone to pastern dermatitis on his white socks too. We were getting nowhere with it treating it with creams then I decided to add milk thistle to his feeds. I could not believe how quickly it started to heal and that summer he did not get pastern dermatitis. I stopped giving it to him the following year and his pastern dermatitis came back. He and his half brother were put down shortly after so I never did try the MT again. If I hadn't seen how quickly it resolved the problem I would never have believed it possible. Photo shows what it was like.

 

[criso]

With feet you can sometimes see a difference in foot angle and horn quality at the top within a month or 2 but I've found it's when the new hoof grows down to the ground you really feel the improvements and with really bad feet, you might need a second hoof to grow down before they are better over surfaces. Mine seem to take 6 to 9 months to grow a new hoof but they don't have shoes and work over surfaces so feet seem to grow quite quickly.

 

[SpotsandBays]

My boy, blanket appaloosa developed a skin problem over his back and quarters one year (all on the white bits). Combination of overheating under his rug in unseasonably warm weather then getting wet when I removed his rug and the weather turned abruptly. He was very prone to pastern dermatitis on his white socks too. We were getting nowhere with it treating it with creams then I decided to add milk thistle to his feeds. I could not believe how quickly it started to heal and that summer he did not get pastern dermatitis. I stopped giving it to him the following year and his pastern dermatitis came back. He and his half brother were put down shortly after so I never did try the MT again. If I hadn't seen how quickly it resolved the problem I would never have believed it possible. Photo shows what it was like.

Woah that’s gnarly! Glad the MT worked well for it!