Mynyddcymro
Well-Known Member
Hi! Not posted in a while but been spending numerous hours on this forum and others researching hoof health and feel it would now be beneficial to gain others opinions.
The pony in question is a 13 year old Shetland Gelding, he weigh tapes at 160kg.
He had a bout of laminitis 5 years ago, this was the first time he had ever been lame and the only real bout of laminitis he's ever had.
A year after he recovered he was broken to drive and was successfully driven for two years - he resembled a mini sports pony with not an ounce of fat, very fit and slim indeed. We then had an accident when he unexpectedly and without reason bolted, I took the decision to stop driving as had it been on the road it could have been awful.
We are now entering our 2nd year of no driving, he became footy in December and I have been soaking his hay for 12 hours ever since. He strides out and is sound in trot on smooth concrete and grass, however on stoney surfaces he is quite careful once he catches himself on a stone. He is on a very bare paddock from 7 am - 6 pm with a treat ball with two handfuls of Baileys Tasty Treats ( http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/supplements/treats.htm ) which he loves as it really keeps him entertained. He is brought in at 6pm with a 2kg net of soaked hay double netted for the night. In the morning he has a small handful of happy hoof with 2g of Mag ox to help break down two very slight fat pads on his shoulders. He weight tapes at 160kg so working on the 1.5% and taking into the account the little that he grazes and the treat ball.
Once the ground dries up i will begin lunging again but nothing seems to quite compare to when he was being driven.
He has flat front feet (from memory this has only come about since the laminitis 5 years ago), not completely but very different to his hinds which are lovely and concave. What can I do to improve his hooves from the inside without pumping him with feed.
I've read a lot about fast fibre being a good carrier for whatever supplements you need to feed (I loathe giving him happy hoof but need it for the mag ox) is there any difference in fast fibre vs happy hoof?
Should I feed biotin straight along with the mag ox to improve feet, is there anything I am missing? I'm seriously considering testing for EMS/ IR with the vet but in the mean time I want to get an appropriate diet sorted.
If I've missed anything out apologies! Would love to hear ideas from those with direct experience dealing with the above issues incase I'm missing something!
The pony in question is a 13 year old Shetland Gelding, he weigh tapes at 160kg.
He had a bout of laminitis 5 years ago, this was the first time he had ever been lame and the only real bout of laminitis he's ever had.
A year after he recovered he was broken to drive and was successfully driven for two years - he resembled a mini sports pony with not an ounce of fat, very fit and slim indeed. We then had an accident when he unexpectedly and without reason bolted, I took the decision to stop driving as had it been on the road it could have been awful.
We are now entering our 2nd year of no driving, he became footy in December and I have been soaking his hay for 12 hours ever since. He strides out and is sound in trot on smooth concrete and grass, however on stoney surfaces he is quite careful once he catches himself on a stone. He is on a very bare paddock from 7 am - 6 pm with a treat ball with two handfuls of Baileys Tasty Treats ( http://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/whatproduct/supplements/treats.htm ) which he loves as it really keeps him entertained. He is brought in at 6pm with a 2kg net of soaked hay double netted for the night. In the morning he has a small handful of happy hoof with 2g of Mag ox to help break down two very slight fat pads on his shoulders. He weight tapes at 160kg so working on the 1.5% and taking into the account the little that he grazes and the treat ball.
Once the ground dries up i will begin lunging again but nothing seems to quite compare to when he was being driven.
He has flat front feet (from memory this has only come about since the laminitis 5 years ago), not completely but very different to his hinds which are lovely and concave. What can I do to improve his hooves from the inside without pumping him with feed.
I've read a lot about fast fibre being a good carrier for whatever supplements you need to feed (I loathe giving him happy hoof but need it for the mag ox) is there any difference in fast fibre vs happy hoof?
Should I feed biotin straight along with the mag ox to improve feet, is there anything I am missing? I'm seriously considering testing for EMS/ IR with the vet but in the mean time I want to get an appropriate diet sorted.
If I've missed anything out apologies! Would love to hear ideas from those with direct experience dealing with the above issues incase I'm missing something!
however last summer I did take him out on my bike, bit hair raising because he's a spooky ****** nowadays but will start that up again shortly! Thanks WelshD I'll look into them as the bucket of treats is nearly finished now anyway!