hit a prob with barefoot,not sure what to do??

[Oberon]

Another vote for the clotrimazole and antibacterial creams (Pete's goo)

Also I got advice from the Yahoo group that most horses are overloaded with iron the Zinc/Copper will counteract that. Apparently should be a 2:1 mix of Zinc/Copper.
Has anyone any tips on getting a picky eater to take the Mg? I found when I add it to his feed, it seems to turn the speedibeet sour as within a few minutes it gets a bad smell and he wont eat it (don't blame him actually) and I hate having to syringe stuff into his mouth unless absolutely necessary.

Is it Cal Mag or Mag Ox?

I use Mag Ox and mine don't mind it. It's more expensive, but cheaper than wasting it and throwing it out.

Healthy cheats for flavours are -

Funugreek seeds (very cheap and also an appetite stimulant)
Dried Mint (cheap and good for digestion)
Turmeric (good for joints)
Cinnamon (gut relaxer and good for metabolic horses)

I buy in bulk from www.cotsherb.co.uk with lots of other herbs.

I heard of someone using cheap Tesco curry powder with success.

 

[tallyho!]

Lol! We're feeding them a curry now... that tickled me. Here boy, do you want broccoli or cauliflower with your bhuna?

 

[giveitago]

I was wondering if anyone had further thoughts on the alfalfa situation?

I had a chat with the vet last month and feeding came up. When i explained that i was trying to wean mine off alfalfa he went mad! Now, it seems that alfalfa is the best forage feed i can give my horse, with added oil if he needs calories.

Alfalfa is a good feed, its the additives, mollasess etc that make it too 'sugary' to be fed to horses. I have since changed bags to the molassess free hi fi which is going well.

I also ordered a 'balancer' from a new company called thunderbrook feeds which includes many of the vits that are on this thread.

I have learnt, if their isnt evidence from a reputable university with scientific back up, its just heresay.

All my boys are fine now we've cut out the sugars from the alfa.

 

[Zuzan]

I was wondering if anyone had further thoughts on the alfalfa situation? ................ Alfalfa is a good feed, its the additives, mollasess etc that make it too 'sugary' to be fed to horses. I have since changed bags to the molassess free hi fi which is going well. ...............
I have learnt, if their isnt evidence from a reputable university with scientific back up, its just heresay.

All my boys are fine now we've cut out the sugars from the alfa.

It's not the sugar in the Alfalfa.. it's overloading with Calcium that blocks uptake of other essential minerals.. the correct balance of minerals is the key.

I don't think anyone has said alfalfa has too much sugar. However many of the alfalfa products have mollasses added to them.

Mineral uptake and balance is not a new science and I doubt anyone could challenge the basic principles of balancing minerals.

Alfalfa and other high calcium forages have been used to balance the high phosphorous content of grain.

I would suggest you get hold of a decent equine nutrition book to find out more.

 

[giveitago]

Im agreat beliver in 24/7 t/o. My tb has access to 5 acres, clay, lush grass and the two fatties are on a postage stamp that you would find difficult to call grass. The tb is the only one who needs 'feed' and hence the alfalfa and balancer (hes getting on a bit).

However, all hooves are doing well, but we cld do with a spot of rain as im chucking buckets of water near the trough atm to keep everyone moist.

 

[Tnavas]

Have you had the chiro to your horse? - stumbling and navicular type symptoms are often a sign of the neck being out of alignment.

For the thrush I've always used Hydrogen Peroxide to treat it with, using a syringe to get it deep into the cracks. Also soaking feet in a solution of Copper Sulphate is good too. A good handful of crystals added to some warm water and stand foot in it for 10 mins several times a week.

 

[amandap]

2 things... if his feet have grown then his toes are longer so he will trip, get him trimmed more regularly, also check your hay, I started feeding this years hay and started to get footy and heat in the feet so now they are back on the crappy stuff soaked..no more problems. Good Luck

Second this as well as mineral advice etc. Soaking and rinsing the hay may well help. I also think soaks are useful in recurrent and difficult to treat thrush. Cleantrax or an apple cider vinegar solution are less harmful to live tissue than dilute milton etc. Get the creams deep into the central sulcus and collateral grooves as well cleaning as well as you can and dry before application.

 

[littlescallywag]

I used to feed my horse alfafa then moved on to fast fibre and thought he was doing well, My boys feet (barefoot) were fine on the outside but a total mess underneath. He started stumbling badly,was told possibly navicular etc,farriers never once mentioned thrush got a barefoot trimmer in, found out he had deep sulcus thrush in all four feet and a very stretched white line.
Advised to change his feed, which I did to thunderbrooks pure essentials base mix and havnt looked back
I use alternatively nt-dry and red horse products to help clear the thrush up and he is trimmed every 6 weeks without fail.
I recommend jaime jacksons and pete rameys books (usa trimmers) and feet first(rockley)
Are fantastic books to read up.
Good luck

 

[MagicMelon]

Mine is a laminitic (although not barefoot) and I wouldn't feed her alfa a. Maybe try hi-fi lite if you are going for a low sugar diet?

Same here - I feed Alfa A to my horses except one who gets footy on it, she's on Happy Hoof. But then my other pony who's had laminitis in the past (and has cushings) is on Alfa A fine. Depends on the horse. You could also get her tested for cushings?