Help with weak hoofs

Sallyanne95 said:
The seaweed says it's good for hooves?? I don't think it does all the way through.
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Seaweed can contain too much iron. It used to be promoted as good for hooves, but more recent thinking has changed that. Pro Hoof and Pro Balance from a seller called Progressive Earth on ebay are good balancers for hooves. If your horse isn't a fussy eater, fast fibre is a good feed (my horses wouldn't eat it though). Spillers high fibre cubes are better than the mollichaff that you are feeding and are very palatable if you have a fussy eater.
 
spookypony said:
If that farrier has been looking after your youngster his whole life (how long have you had him?), and he hasn't said anything to you about diet or exercise while allowing the hooves to look like that, and his only solution is "shoe" without an explanation, then regardless of how your other horses coped, I wouldn't trust that farrier to know one end of a rasp from the other. I think you need to do some research yourself into feet and nutrition, so that you know what questions to ask; the suggestions by others as to places to read are all good! :D If a yard limited a youngster to 6h turnout/day, I'd be moving yards if at all possible. Good luck with getting this sorted! :)
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The horse itself I have had a year but the farrier I have had a few couple and is very highly recommended. He said to shoe yes but like I said I haven't fully discussed the proem with him we are sorting it out when he comes. The yard I am at is fantastic and I am defiantly not moving. He gets turned out at around 9 maybe 10 am and brought back in at around 3 or 4 but ATM in winter paddocks. When moved to summer paddocks grazing will be more but ATM it is how it is. I didn't come on here to get everyone criticising me my farrier or my yard I just want to know of any good supplements and creams.
 
Yes it used to be thought that seaweed was good for hooves but no longer. I'm sure the company do still state that on the packet of seaweed, but its not been scientifically tested or proved to be good for hooves and at the end of the day companies want to sell their products, so they will make claims about all kinds of things which aren't proven. Surely you don't believe everything you read on packets? Or you'll be one of those people who is very disappointed when they get old and find out that despite buying anti wrinkle creams they still got wrinkles!
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
Yes it used to be thought that seaweed was good for hooves but no longer. I'm sure the company do still state that on the packet of seaweed, but its not been scientifically tested or proved to be good for hooves and at the end of the day companies want to sell their products, so they will make claims about all kinds of things which aren't proven. Surely you don't believe everything you read on packets? Or you'll be one of those people who is very disappointed when they get old and find out that despite buying anti wrinkle creams they still got wrinkles!
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What I believe is when I get the same thing recommended to me over and over again. Also a company won't state something is good for hoofs if it actually does the operate effect because that then leaves them in the firing line and that is most sertanly what they don't want.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
I didn't come on here to get everyone criticising me my farrier or my yard I just want to know of any good supplements and creams/QUOTE]


People are advising not criticising. It's a forum, you will get all kinds of responses to a post including those you may not like. People have suggested which supplements are good and have advised that creams are useless for fixing problems.
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Sallyanne95 said:
What I believe is when I get the same thing recommended to me over and over again. Also a company won't state something is good for hoofs if it actually does the operate effect because that then leaves them in the firing line and that is most sertanly what they don't want.
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I wouldn't bank on it! Why would people on here pretty much unanimously be saying the same thing to you? People are trying to help. Please try and listen.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
What I believe is when I get the same thing recommended to me over and over again. Also a company won't state something is good for hoofs if it actually does the operate effect because that then leaves them in the firing line and that is most sertanly what they don't want.
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So if someone recommends rubbish that you want to hear, over and over, you'll believe it? But people on here suggesting similar things to each other over and over, things that you don't want to hear, must all be talking nonsense?
 
PoppyAnderson said:
I wouldn't bank on it! Why would people on here pretty much unanimously be saying the same thing to you? People are trying to help. Please try and listen.
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I do listen. More people have recommended seaweed to me then people have said it's bad.
I know in the horse world everyone has there own opinion on everything and it will be different to mine but my horse has gone to a diet that's lower sugar and starch then before plus less feed and he's had seaweed for ages and it's only the past couple weeks at max his feet have been bad so I don't agree it's the seaweed starch or sugar I think it's the difference of being turned out 24/7 to bring in a stable and I was asking for advise on what other people use not how you think I should change everything. My horse is in extremely good health and it's only the past couple weeks his hoofs have got cracks so I appreciate what people say but I don't agree with it. I'm happy with my farrier I trust him and he's the first farrier I have trusted and ivs had quite a few of them.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
What I believe is when I get the same thing recommended to me over and over again. Also a company won't state something is good for hoofs if it actually does the operate effect because that then leaves them in the firing line and that is most sertanly what they don't want.
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Then why bother asking on a forum then? People are trying to help and give you ideas and point out to you what most of us in the past have used and then found out are wrong! I used to use seaweed - for about 10 years with my last TB. Did I see an improvement? Not one bit! I now have a sound, barefoot TB who I was advised to PTS by more than one vet as I was told she would never work again. It's because of people on this forum and the advice I received that she is sound, working, competing and happy.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
So if someone recommends rubbish that you want to hear, over and over, you'll believe it? But people on here suggesting similar things to each other over and over, things that you don't want to hear, must all be talking nonsense?
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It's the same tho isn't it? A load if strangers are recommending what's good for my horse half say on thing half say the other who to believe? We'll that's my decision as it is my horse.
 
Holly Hocks said:
Then why bother asking on a forum then? People are trying to help and give you ideas and point out to you what most of us in the past have used and then found out are wrong! I used to use seaweed - for about 10 years with my last TB. Did I see an improvement? Not one bit! I now have a sound, barefoot TB who I was advised to PTS by more than one vet as I was told she would never work again. It's because of people on this forum and the advice I received that she is sound, working, competing and happy.
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I have asked on more then one place and I was just looking for the most common answer but fine if because I in the end choose who I Believe I am not aloud to ask on here!? What's even the point! I was wanting opinions but what I don't appreciate is my yard and farrier being criticised when nobody knows who they are. I've had several people say seaweed has helped coat and hoofs and it is different for every horse they react different to different things.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
I have asked on more then one place and I was just looking for the most common answer but fine if because I in the end choose who I Believe I am not aloud to ask on here!? What's even the point! I was wanting opinions but what I don't appreciate is my yard and farrier being criticised when nobody knows who they are. I've had several people say seaweed has helped coat and hoofs and it is different for every horse they react different to different things.
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So you don't like what you're being told. Not a problem, then don't do it. We're all just giving our own experiences as to what has helped our particular horses.
 
Holly Hocks said:
So you don't like what you're being told. Not a problem, then don't do it. We're all just giving our own experiences as to what has helped our particular horses.
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And I appreciate that but in all honesty I have found tonight I have just mostly been told what I'm doing wrong and not what I should be doing how my yard and farrier aren't any good and also I'm told about low starch and sugar but even tho I asked nobody has told me what they class as low?? It's not been that helpful and this page has helped me before but right now I feel that everyone's saying how wrong I am but not giving me the advise I asked for.
 
There is no advise for creams etc. to put on the hooves because there is no cream that will fix the cracks. The best moisturiser for hooves is water, but too much and that can cause problems as well.

The cracks could be because of of being in, and they might but totally innocent but they could equally mean something more sinister like an infection.

Like you say, you don't have to listen to us, but everyone has said you need to think outside the box and not just apply a band-aid on a boo-boo.
 
The reason we are telling you these things is that we have had horses with terrible feet like yours has and we have found out how to cure the problems. My farrier, who had a good reputation and trained a lot of other farriers, told me for ages that mine had bad feet because 'some horses are like that' but he has great feet now.
 
Nugget La Poneh said:
There is no advise for creams etc. to put on the hooves because there is no cream that will fix the cracks. The best moisturiser for hooves is water, but too much and that can cause problems as well.

The cracks could be because of of being in, and they might but totally innocent but they could equally mean something more sinister like an infection.

Like you say, you don't have to listen to us, but everyone has said you need to think outside the box and not just apply a band-aid on a boo-boo.
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I'm not expecting a cream to fix the cracks I was asking about creams that may help for in the future to avoid this.
I understand what the cracks can mean and I was asking about creams and supplements to avoid this in the future. The farrier is coming out to check on them and to see what he recommends but he's said about putting front shoes on before he comes as what if I'm expecting no shoes and then I get charged double what I normally do?
 
OP, have a look at some molasses free feeds such as Dengie HiFi Molasses Free and Dengie healthy hooves Molasses free. I had a youngster who already had a bad crack like yours when I bought him, my farrier worked on it but was unsure as to whether it would ever come right. It did improve when the horse was in my ownership.

Regarding creams, many years ago Bicton college conducted research regarding hoof growth. They applied three different topical creams onto three hooves and on the fourth hoof they stimulated the coronet band by brushing with a hoof brush to stimulate blood flow to the area, and that was the hoof that grew faster than the others.

When you see your farrier I would ask for an explanation so to why shoeing is the answer, and in his opinion why had the crack happened, do come back and let us know how you got on.
 
Unfortunately feeding a low stach , sugar feed is a minefield mainly because feed companies apparently pay for the laminitis friendly logo and most if them aren't as friendly as they seem.
I now feed a balancer..Spillers balancer lite as mine don't need any calories. I use high fibre cubes and speed beet if I need to add a few pounds which are all hoof friendly :)
As for his hooves...I would ask you farrier to run the rasp around the bottom of the hoof to bevel it so there is less pressure on that crack. Providing there is no infection in there, then it should grow out easy enough. I have used Artimud by Red Horse products on a crack before.
My TB had a very similar crack and it grew out without shoes which can often make crack worse what with making holes in the wall...
 
No creams will help his feet, you are throwing money away. Good feet come from what he is eating and a more suitable trim.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
I'm not expecting a cream to fix the cracks I was asking about creams that may help for in the future to avoid this.
I understand what the cracks can mean and I was asking about creams and supplements to avoid this in the future. The farrier is coming out to check on them and to see what he recommends but he's said about putting front shoes on before he comes as what if I'm expecting no shoes and then I get charged double what I normally do?
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I gave you the answer - water. And others have given you the answers in regards to supplements (Pro Earth, either the balance or hoof balancers, or ForagePlus). If you really need a cream then Kevin Bacon products come pretty highly recommended.

Would be worth taking him out for walks as well, will mean you won't be starting completely from scratch on his fitness. Might be worth starting on the longlining and re-backing (if needing to be done) etc. as this will all help with his hooves and his general fitness.

In regards to what is considered low starch/sugar levels, then the combined values need to be under 10%.
 
He does currently go for walks and he us being re backed as he's not fully comfortable In a non racing saddle.
I've also been told ally that I should get Kevin bacon and I've also been told I need biotic by loads if people so I think they are the root I am going down.
Also I looked up starch and sugar for the feed I give one is 4.2% and one is 7% but I also googled what is classed as low and several places say 20% so see once again it's different people different answers.
 
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_HP_ said:
Unfortunately feeding a low stach , sugar feed is a minefield mainly because feed companies apparently pay for the laminitis friendly logo and most if them aren't as friendly as they seem.
I now feed a balancer..Spillers balancer lite as mine don't need any calories. I use high fibre cubes and speed beet if I need to add a few pounds which are all hoof friendly :)
As for his hooves...I would ask you farrier to run the rasp around the bottom of the hoof to bevel it so there is less pressure on that crack. Providing there is no infection in there, then it should grow out easy enough. I have used Artimud by Red Horse products on a crack before.
My TB had a very similar crack and it grew out without shoes which can often make crack worse what with making holes in the wall...
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I have recently lowered his starch and sugar intake and put him on a calmer.
I was worried about putting shoes onto already cracked feet it does seem like the worse thing to do but I have known it to work for some so I guess it just depends on every factor. I will get my farrier to have a proper look at it (in person) and see what he says then but ATM he's thinking the front will need shoes.
 
OP it is worth noting that most of those things advised/recommended by barefooters have been done through trial and error and that they are just trying to impart that information so that others can skip the trial and error bit. There are a few things in Nic Barker's (of rockley farm - barefoot rehab) book that they don't do any more or have changed a bit - one of which being feeding seaweed as it really doesn't suit/isn't balanced enough and they have found it much better to feed a more defined mineral supplement with low iron content.

People have acquired lots of other info along the way re. wormer causing footiness, feeding (some pony nuts seem well tolerated and oats for example - alfalfa tends to cause issues). People have fed garlic for years but it has now been demonstrated to be contra-indicated for example.

Please don't dismiss too much of the information, particularly if those others with suggestions do not have hardworking barefoot animals.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
I've also been told ally that I should get Kevin bacon and I've also been told I need biotic by loads if people so I think they are the root I am going down.
Also I looked up starch and sugar for the feed I give one is 4.2% and one is 7% but I also googled what is classed as low and several places say 20% so see once again it's different people different answers.
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That's why you need to keep reading. So you get loads of info and then make your own mind up. And when I say keep reading, I don't mean 20 minutes on here, I mean LOTS of reading. Educate yourself. Find out fact from fiction (such as 20% is low starch). You've had loads of good advice on here but you're determined to ignore it all.
 
Sallyanne95 said:
one is 4.2% and one is 7% but I also googled what is classed as low and several places say 20% so see once again it's different people different answers.
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The mollichaff calmer is 7 - 8 % though it has 4.5% starch giving you a combined value of 11.5 - 12.5, Applechaff is 17 - 22%

These were taken from the manufacturers own website

http://www.horsehageforage.co.uk/WP/?page_id=108

Crossposted with Gloi
 
Gloi said:
http://www.horsehageforage.co.uk/WP/?page_id=108

Here it says that
Applechaff is 17-22% sugar + 0.5% starch = 17.5 - 22.5 total
Mollichaff Calmer is 7-8% Sugar + 4.2% starch = 11.2 - 12.2 total


I try to keep mine at under 10%
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That's what I found but I hardly give any apple it's just temporary while he gets used to the taste of the calmer alone.
 
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