Hoof Supplements?!

[Cloud9]

My horse suffered a chip fracture of his near hind pedal bone. In work again and fingers crossed, been sound for 8 months. He has always suffered with poor feet, breaking and could not hold a shoe so put him on Formula 4 Feet - his feet have had an amazing improvement but his temprament has changed completey. Gone from being a laid back, trustworthy and dependable cob to spooky and nervous. Have now taken him off it. Has anyone else had any trouble with this type of supplement?

 

[_daisy_]

my mare is on F4F and have no problems at all with her. Gave it to 1 of the ponies when she seriously damaged her foot and again no problems. Is there anything else that could have made him like this? Is it just coincidence that his temperament changed?

 

[Cloud9]

I don't think so - he is a heavyweight cob so is on a limited diet to control his weight - so far lost 80kg and is now 500kg. Yes he WAS huge!!!!!! He is fed 1 scoop Hi-Fi Lite Chaf (no more than a handful in the summer), scoop of garlic, couple of carrots and cider vinegar and thats it? Oh and hay in winter. He has been on the garlic since I had him and thats been 5 years now? Thanks though.

 

[_daisy_]

how odd? i suppose it might affect horses differently.
have you tried Naf Biotin supplement? i used that with my mare along with cornucresin - or Carr Day and Martin have brought out a cornucresin feed supplement - heard its very good

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Fed F4F for a few years and never had any problem.

 

[Cloud9]

Thanks - just clutching at straws really I suppose and was hoping that his change in attitude was due to his feed and therefore could be easily remedied. Seems like I just need patience and fingers crossed with time he may get back to his usual self - just don't want to lose confidence as I used to take him anywhere. Will have a look at the NAF products as just want the best for my horse and his feet........

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I am having the same problem with both feet and temperrement. Mine was laid back and then I put him on farriers formula for his feet and he has turned into a fruit loop but only with me and no one else.

Spring is also on the way - also if he lost weight he will feel better

 

[_daisy_]

before my mare went on F4F i had her on NAF hooflyfe -was really good stuff and as it was liquid worked quicker - give it a try

 

[vicm2509]

I put my lad on Topspec comprehensive supplement, I didnt put him on it for his feet but they have improved to near perfect condition since hes been on it. It has biotin and other conditioning things in it. He has no cracks and ive even had his backs taken off now and his feet are fantastic. His temprement has not changed at all.

Also the keratex hoof moisture is good for cracks and the hardner is great for brittle feet

 

[Nari]

I've taken mine off his hoof supplement as I noticed it made his cribbing worse (took him off everything for a few days after a bad colic then started adding things back gradually. When I added back his hoof supplement he started cribbing like mad again!). Over the years I've tried several hoof supplements to try & get one that didn't give him diarrohea (sp?) but had never spotted the cibbing link.

Since taking him off it his droppings are normal (had always been on the loose side before - & he is calmer, though still not calm!

 

[Cloud9]

Thanks so much for all your replies as this is also the first time I have used the forum. I have contacted an equine nutrionist who said that the high levels of the ingredients could cause his problems - or an allergy to one of the ingredients. It also seems that NAF do not manufacture the HoofLyte anymore but do produce Five Star Pro Feet - it is not so high in energy and protein as some other products on the market so could be an option. I may give a month or two off any supplements and then restart and see what happens.