Hoof supplement question

[Cecile]

How do you rate this supplement? This is what is being recommended by my farrier, this is for a mini who has EMS, he has very good growth rate but grows upwards he never has a flair, I have been using formula4feet since it came on the market and prior to that farriers formula, yes this little one has been with me forever

https://www.horsefirst.net/horse-supplements/hoof-first

Also what is binders: E562 Sepiolite 300g/kg

Many thanks for any help Oh very clever ones who I bow down to your knowledge in this

 

[be positive]

I am no expert but it seems to be mainly biotin based which I thought was no longer considered to be required because a healthy horse has enough/ produces enough without needed supplementing, why does he want you to change?

 

[tallyho!]

Much better stuff out there... look up progressive earth, forageplus or equimins.

 

[JillA]

Talk to Forageplus - not only are the really good on minerals etc but Sarah, who runs it, is a very good EP

 

[Cecile]

I am no expert but it seems to be mainly biotin based which I thought was no longer considered to be required because a healthy horse has enough/ produces enough without needed supplementing, why does he want you to change?

Apparently things have moved on since Farriers formula and formula4feet and he rates this stuff as excellent + done research into it....... don't ask me as the mini doesn't have cracks, thin soles or wear shoes

 

[Cecile]

Much better stuff out there... look up progressive earth, forageplus or equimins.

Thank you

 

[Cecile]

Talk to Forageplus - not only are the really good on minerals etc but Sarah, who runs it, is a very good EP

I will ring them, thanks

 

[be positive]

Apparently things have moved on since Farriers formula and formula4feet and he rates this stuff as excellent + done research into it....... don't ask me as the mini doesn't have cracks, thin soles or wear shoes

I thought things had moved on and away from biotin as a cure all hence my comment, the companies suggested provide minerals targeted at individual requirements rather than one size fits all.

 

[JillA]

I thought things had moved on and away from biotin as a cure all hence my comment, the companies suggested provide minerals targeted at individual requirements rather than one size fits all.

Except that Forageplus do a generic one based on the average deficiencies revealed in forage analyses across the country. A good alternative if you don't have single source forage

 

[Frumpoon]

Progressive earth have transformed my lads feet

 

[Cecile]

Except that Forageplus do a generic one based on the average deficiencies revealed in forage analyses across the country. A good alternative if you don't have single source forage

I have had extensive grass and soil analysis and the only thing I worried about was higher copper level in one paddock (I had North Ronaldsay sheep and they are highly copper sensitive) so that area was closed off to them.
He doesn't have much else except Timothy chop and simply complete from SS and a bit of speedi beet, watched closely as will now loose weight rather than gain it but as the vet says she has never seen a shiny slim mini before, forage is bought in tho

 

[Cecile]

Progressive earth have transformed my lads feet

I shall contact them too, thank you.

 

[Allykat]

Another vote for progressive earth from me.

 

[Cecile]

Another vote for progressive earth from me.

Thank you. I have sent them an email as this is what they seem to prefer on their contact page, they don't answer on Fridays or weekends <no rush anyway> but will get back to me on Monday or early next week

 

[Led]

My vet recommended Vetiquinol Kerabol and it's done amazing things.

 

[Cecile]

My vet recommended Vetiquinol Kerabol and it's done amazing things.

Thank you I will see what I can find on this

Progressive Earth sent me loads of interesting details today but all this is such a learning curve to me

 

[Nari]

My view is if it isn't broken why fix it? It sounds like he's doing rally well on his current regime so I'd leave well alone.

 

[Pinkvboots]

My view is if it isn't broken why fix it? It sounds like he's doing rally well on his current regime so I'd leave well alone.

This is what I thought if his feet are fine why supplement leave well alone

 

[Gloi]

Another vote for progressive earth from me.

My youngster's feet are fantastic on this, shame the oldie won't eat it.

 

[Cecile]

My view is if it isn't broken why fix it? It sounds like he's doing rally well on his current regime so I'd leave well alone.

I should imagine that due to him looking slim, no fat pads or crest but I still have to watch him like a hawk due to laminitis it makes you feel you should be doing more apart from feeling for pulses and endlessly watching him to see if I notice any changes. I've just been going through what Simply complete contains or should contain and I'm starting to wonder if I should take a degree as I'm more confused than I was last week

 

[Cecile]

My youngster's feet are fantastic on this, shame the oldie won't eat it.

This is my worry, spend a fortune have various stuff all over the shelf, put it in the bucket and it just gets tipped up with a *I'm not eating that*

 

[Gloi]

This is my worry, spend a fortune have various stuff all over the shelf, put it in the bucket and it just gets tipped up with a *I'm not eating that*

It's only since he has been on Prascend he's refused to eat it. The Prascend has made him a fusspot about feed.

 

[TomT70]

I think you need more than biotin alone, I use Farriers Favourite by Equine Answers. I have an TB and he came to me with dreadful feet. They are now perfect. I think its a lot cheaper than the Horse First product. I get it direct from www.equineanswers.co.uk

 

[Cecile]

I think you need more than biotin alone, I use Farriers Favourite by Equine Answers. I have an TB and he came to me with dreadful feet. They are now perfect. I think its a lot cheaper than the Horse First product. I get it direct from www.equineanswers.co.uk

Thank you for the suggestion, I have decided to try progressive earth for a few months unless they refuse to eat it, if I don't see wonders or they refuse to eat it I will go back to the drawing board and take on board all the suggestions people have kindly posted, including the why bother posts as SS also state on their bags there should be no need to add any vit or mins under their typical analysis, I have started with adding micro linseed which so far they are all licking the bowls clean, one of them is being fussy on the pro hoof platinum but its early days.

 

[Zotiv]

Thank you for the suggestion, I have decided to try progressive earth for a few months unless they refuse to eat it, if I don't see wonders or they refuse to eat it I will go back to the drawing board and take on board all the suggestions people have kindly posted, including the why bother posts as SS also state on their bags there should be no need to add any vit or mins under their typical analysis, I have started with adding micro linseed which so far they are all licking the bowls clean, one of them is being fussy on the pro hoof platinum but its early days.

I know this thread is old, but I’m just wondering how you found the Progressive Earth platinum, as you mentioned this is what you had decided to opt for. I’m in a similar situation and there are so many options out there that it’s a mine field trying to choose the right one.

 

[Gloi]

I know this thread is old, but I’m just wondering how you found the Progressive Earth platinum, as you mentioned this is what you had decided to opt for. I’m in a similar situation and there are so many options out there that it’s a mine field trying to choose the right one.

I found it good when I was feeding it but changed to equimins as I prefer pellets to powder

 

[Zotiv]

I found it good when I was feeding it but changed to equimins as I prefer pellets to powder

Ok that’s good to know. I didn’t realize it was powder and not pellets! Thank you.

 

[Frumpoon]

Mine stopped eating the pro earth, even with molasses

I switched to equimins and it's highly palatable

 

[Zotiv]

Mine stopped eating the pro earth, even with molasses

I switched to equimins and it's highly palatable

That’s disappointing. Was going to go with Pro earth. Are the two products more or less just as effective as each other? My TB has terrible feet.

 

[OldNag]

That’s disappointing. Was going to go with Pro earth. Are the two products more or less just as effective as each other? My TB has terrible feet.

I used Pro Earth Pro Balance for years on several ponies and never had a problem getting them to eat it.

I switched a few months ago to Equimins - for convenience as local feed shop stocks it. I do add extra magnesium as the content is lower. It us availabile in powder and pellet form so you have a choice. I use the powder with no issue but the pellet is supposed to be more palatable.