Hoof Growth

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pottamus

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Last summer I struggled with my boys feet because they were quite dry along with the weather and I was having him shod every 4 weeks due to the amount of road work we do for endurance. At the time he was not growing any new hoof to trim so the farrier did a sterling job of putting new shoes on without using the same nail holes...however...the hooves would split from the nail holes down and become weak, so when the farrier pulled the shoes off chunks of hoof would come with it.
My worry is that for the last year of shoeing my farrier has only ever been able to get a decent trim (due to lack of growth) 3 times!
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I fear already that I am going to have the same problem because he was out yesterday and said there was nothing much to trim so he would leave it until the next shoeing because there would be more to trim them!
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My farrier says there is nothing I can give him or put on them to help and not to worry about it...any one else have this problem???
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By the way I have no reason to question my farrier...he is excellant and the remedial farrier for the largest vet practices in the county!
 
I had a similar problem when I first had Jools. I started feeding Biotin about 15 months ago, and definately saw a difference by early summer. Whether it was just that or also different grass/ better farriery since he cam eot me I dont know. Been loads better tho and didnt lose any this summer. Managed to go 5 weeks all summer and had just enough growth for new holes!

Also try effol/ kevin bacon stuff you brush on. Seems to supple them enough that if you use the old holes they dont split.

Good luck!
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Ok just my two little piece of advice
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First I find corecresen (sp) brilliant for increase of hoof growth and especially for applying on already cracked hooves.

Secondly - I am about to start P on some Black Oil Sunflower Seeds as highly recommended by some of the members on this forum, I will keep you updated on this one....
 
I have used farriers formula to speed up my mares hoof growth. I was a sceptic before about these suppliments and seen as the cost was about 38 pounds a tub thought I would give a go once. But it is worth the money as there has been significant growth and she has been on it now for 6 months and the foot is nearly regrown at the back and about half an inch of the front. She had a very bad abcese burst out from her coranary band the split was from the centre of her hoof round to the back of the hoof. So as it healed I could see how fast the injury line grew down her foot.
I also have her on Safe and Sound feed which is very good for the feet and has full of vitimins etc.
 
Cornecresin (sp) is really good rubbed into the coronet band twice a day........... my TB was an ex racer and had RUBBISH feet when I got him, so much so that they made him lame on hard ground!!!!!
 
farriers formula has done wonders on his feet-expensive but after 8 months i have now stopped using it as the hoof growth is good and i am just continuing it with a general supplement(alot cheaper)Also cornucresine is very good for hoof growth.I am about to start using BOSS though-cant miss out on the wonderful things it has done for everyone on here!!
 
Only supplement I have found that actually works is Forumla4Feet (tried Farriers Formula, but pony refused to eat it
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). You need to give it time, but you should notice an improvement after 6wks to 3 months. Cornucresine works as a mild blister. I sympathise as when my pony was in work and doing endurance, he would lose shoes and hoof every 3 weeks or so and it was a complete nightmare. I used to have to have his shoes taken off through the winter to try and let his feet recover a bit. For other reasons, he now has imprint shoes and his hoof quality is excellent, now that shoes are no longer nailed on.
 
Biotin is best stuff, and cheap,. FF and the like only work cos they have a mixture of Zinc, Biotin and something else.... but if you get the NAF biotin and feed it at recommended amounts should see an improvement in hoof quality. I use a balancer for my boy, really helps his feet, and has recommended levels of biotin, zinc, msm etc. Also Alfa A is good because it has high levels of protein and calcium which helps aswell.
 
i give my horse farriers formula, as i have him shod ever five weeks, i also oil his feet 2-3 a day and his feet are in very good condition my farrier is farrier major for the army and he asked me what i do with his feet and told me to keep at it they are in the best condition he has seen this winter!
 
For a couple of years I used farriers formula and thought the results were superb but 6 months ago I discovered formula feet and I have to say the results have been outstanding.

I nearly lost one of my horse this last summer from laminitis and crippling abcesses, her feet were a mess, she could hardly stand. I am convinced that without formula feet (and of course careful management) she would not have made such a miraculous recovery. My farrier has to come every four to five weeks to do her feet because shes wearing glue on shoes, and every single visit he comments on the quality and amount of the new horn thats growing. Shes doing remarkably well, I'm looking forward to riding her this wkend for the first time since she got the lami!

I also feed my other horse now on formula feet because she just generally has poor hoof growth and used to suffer all the time from dry cracked hooves and white line disease. Now her feet are also in superb condition, she hasn't suffered white line all winter (so far anyway!) and isn't even foot sore on hard ground like she always has been.

I couldn't recommend this product highly enough!
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Hi. Re: mild blister, It makes the blood rush round the area where you rub it. Vick vapour rub does something similar so I'm told but I havent tried it.
 
Thanks for all your responses, I have ordered a hoof supplement, which I appreciate will take a while to see results and will continue to use my water based hoof moisturiser when it starts to dry up.
Having spoken to Feedmark about it (who are very helpful) she did point out that being out all day in the wet and then coming in to a dry shavings bed is not the best for hooves. And I agree, but he will be out soon 24/7.
 
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