Hoof supplements - experiences?

[snurse]

Would like to hear experiences with various hoof supplements. Horse in question is a 3/4 bred with very soft feet. He's been on biotin (on farrier's recommendation) for about 18 months but he doesn't seem much different. He doesn't keep shoes on very well, and when he loses one, he takes bits of hoof wall with it. His foot then wears down very quickly, and he gets sore-footed, difficult to get shoe on etc. This year has been worse, because of the weather, but it's not a new problem. He's better if he's in, rather than turned out, but we can hardly keep him in all the time - he hates it, for one thing.
There are all sorts of supplements on the market, but I assume all take months to have any effect, because of the rate the hoof grows. So trying any would be a slow experiment. Therefore interested in other people's experience. Thanks in advance.

 

[fredthoroughbred]

Hi Daisy May,

I have a thoroughbred with soft feet too and my farrier said the only thing that really helps is environment (inside when very wet) but I also don't like this option but needs be etc haha and also feeding Magnesium and Selenium. I add a couple of scoops of pink powder to his feed each day as this has all elements, vitamins, minerals and biotins but I guess any multi vit would do.
I hope your part bred has good feet eventually

Kind Regards

 

[Sarah_Jane]

I have founf Formula 4 Feet very good. My horse has been on it nearly 2 years and the foot has improved dramatically and I rarely lose shoes now.

 

[zigzag]

Formula 4 feet cured a few horses I know, made a dramatic difference

 

[Honeyb]

I have a TB who's feet were awful. My vet and farrier both advised that the goodness needed to come from within, rather than applied products.

I've used both See weed and Magnesium and both, after a while have a good effect. Note that Magnesium has a calming affect also.

I also went barefoot after a while and saw a huge difference, but that's down to personnal opinion.

 

[Solstar]

if you want something to put on the feet aswell, nafs hoof moist is really good.

 

[Quarrybank]

I'm another Formula 4 feet fan. Both mine have been on it for 4 months & I can see a huge difference already.
My farrier has said the trick is to keep feeding it if you can see it working because he's had client who've stopped when their horses feet have improved, only to be back to square 1 6 months later.

 

[Angua2]

Formula 4 feet or top spec..... Loved the f4f for my boy as saw the most dramatic change..... changed to top spec ( and am still fingers crossed) when I got my other horse back in, as couldn't afford f4f for 2!!
I was told that the reason some horses do not respond to biotin was that they have a hind gut imbalance that needs to be addressed before they can utilise the biotin

 

[reynold]

farriers formula - and that works from within as well

applications to the hoof wall don't really have that much effect

 

[Nuttymanxmare]

C came to me with shocking feet they were so bad that the farrier couldnt put backs on last month and suggested she was retired.

Shes currently on Farriers Forumula, Black Sunflower seeds and Effol along with Happy Hoof in her feed. The change in her feet is remarkable and this is only within the last month.

 

[Blizzard]

I feed TopSpec feed balancer and BOSS and Beau's feet have improved loads!

 

[knightsbridge]

i have just started both of my boys on formula for feet, its seriously expensive but hopefully will improve their rubbish feet.

 

[ISHmad]

Top Spec Balancers helped a couple of our horse's feet improve greatly for the better. Even our old farrier couldn't believe the difference.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

black sunflower seeds are supposed to be excellent
i started feeding these a few weeks ago so am obviously awaiting results and progress, but they are cheap and apparently very effective

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

farriers formula andmartin and carr moisturiser - waiting to see results however !! only been on it again for 2 months

 

[chriscrogul]

I was told that the reason some horses do not respond to biotin was that they have a hind gut imbalance that needs to be addressed before they can utilise the biotin

[/ QUOTE ]
That's an interesting thought....
The nutrients that support good hoof growth are also responsible for hair condition/growth yet how many horses with bad feet have "bad" coats? Anyone know why?

 

[Nari]

Jim has poor feet & I've tried quite a few hoof supplements but to honest I get just as good a result with a good broad spectrum vit & min supplement. He may be a slightly unsual case though bcause it seems all hoof supplements upset his stomach to some extent & make hs cribbing worse.

Chrisrogul Jim may have bad feet but he has a fantastic coat - shiny, smooth & fine. Give him a good body brushing & you can almost see your face in it!

 

[KatB]

Agree with topspec, it balances everything and has recommended amount of biotin. Combined with Alfa my horses feet improved massively.

 

[helenandshadow]

Farriers Forumula is very good and Formula 4 Feet is supposed to be good too, unfortunately my 1/2 TB with crap feet won't eat either so she just has biotin. I've recently been putting Kevin Bacons on her feet and it seems to have helped, also Cornucrescine is fantastic for hoof growth.