How long does it take roughly to see the benefit from supplements?

[mightymammoth]

Hi, I'm feeding a hoof supplement and a joint supplement. I was wondering if anyone could say when they started to see the benefit of the supplements, particulary the hoof supplement.

(His hoofs grow at "average" speed)

Thanks

 

[Miss L Toe]

I see the effect of NOT feeding a good quality of feed after two weeks, and I would say I see the effect of feeding a supplement in about ten days in, hoof is a bit different though because so many things affect hoof growth rates [where you will see rings if very slow or very fast], but the first affect will be in the skin, so you should see that in two weeks.

 

[mightymammoth]

Thanks for that. Would you mind explaining what the rings on the hoof mean? I was expecting to wait a year to see the full benefit as the whole hoof capsule would be new by then? Does that sound roughly right? Thanks

 

[Miss L Toe]

Oh well, it takes from 4 to six months for the hoof to grow from the coronet band down to the sole, but the skin, the largest organ also shows a change in quality, hopefully becoming more supple, and also hair will tend to be a better colour, rather less fading in summer.
When a horse is ill, or has a sudden change of diet it will often show a horizontal growth ring, due to slow growth. Normal hoof growth, will vary a bit throughout the year, so there may be smaller ridges, but a healthy hoof should really be fairly smooth, with good dry frogs.

http://www.all-natural-horse-care.com/Hoof-Education.html
One thing I am keen on in a shod horse is to present the horse to the farrier every six weeks, as allowing the hoof to grow too long can strain the ligaments.
With unshod horses a farrier may do a pasture trim every two months, though it varies a lot. If the hooves are left too long they usually grow too long at the front, and this can also lead to flare, which is a spreading of the front of the hoof.
In a good hoof, the quality of the hoof wall is good, not crumbly, and the hoof capsule itself is tight not splayed, sorry if these are not the correct terms, but it is difficult to describe a three dimensional hoof in words alone.
You can ask your farrier to give you a little education when he comes to see your horse.

 

[Waltzing Matilda]

Hi, u don't say y u r feeding suppliments, this may affect how quickly u c a diiference, or the extent of the difference also may depend On the product u r suplimenting with (ie its quality).
R u shod or barefoot?