Doormouse
Well-Known Member
I have 2 horses and a pony. They all seem to have very poor feet at the moment and I am not sure why.
1 16.3hh ISH and 1 16.1hh ex racehorse, both shod. I have been feeding topspec since August and they have the general balancer, ulsakind nuts, micronised linseed and the ex racehorse has top chop grass and the ISH has salt added. They both have ad lib steamed hay, this years but made in August. They are out on average amounts of grass but it is dairy country with us for about 6-7 hours per day.
1 12hh welsh section a pony with cushings on 1/2 tablet prascend a day, levels test a month ago and all good. She has anti lam balancer and top chop lite. She has 24 hour soaked hay and is out on very little grass.
Their feet seem very dry and their frogs are very hard. The ISH has cracks in his hind feet as well. I use Kevin Bacon hoof oil and they are done everyday before exercise.
I have had horses for years and have always removed their shoes for holidays and then re shod when back in work but beyond that I must admit that it is only recently that I have become far more aware of the importance of healthy feet and hence looking for correct feeds.
Top spec specifically say their feed is great for hoof condition and although the horses have only been having that feed since August, they were on Simple Systems before that so no sugar as such.
Not sure what else I should be doing to improve their feet, they are a decent shape, heels are good and balance looks fine I just feel the actual horn quality is poor.
Any advice would be gratefully received please.
1 16.3hh ISH and 1 16.1hh ex racehorse, both shod. I have been feeding topspec since August and they have the general balancer, ulsakind nuts, micronised linseed and the ex racehorse has top chop grass and the ISH has salt added. They both have ad lib steamed hay, this years but made in August. They are out on average amounts of grass but it is dairy country with us for about 6-7 hours per day.
1 12hh welsh section a pony with cushings on 1/2 tablet prascend a day, levels test a month ago and all good. She has anti lam balancer and top chop lite. She has 24 hour soaked hay and is out on very little grass.
Their feet seem very dry and their frogs are very hard. The ISH has cracks in his hind feet as well. I use Kevin Bacon hoof oil and they are done everyday before exercise.
I have had horses for years and have always removed their shoes for holidays and then re shod when back in work but beyond that I must admit that it is only recently that I have become far more aware of the importance of healthy feet and hence looking for correct feeds.
Top spec specifically say their feed is great for hoof condition and although the horses have only been having that feed since August, they were on Simple Systems before that so no sugar as such.
Not sure what else I should be doing to improve their feet, they are a decent shape, heels are good and balance looks fine I just feel the actual horn quality is poor.
Any advice would be gratefully received please.