Limestone flour for hoof improvement: anyone feeding?

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Farrier came yesterday and suggested I feed my traddie some Limestone flour as his feet have been quite flakey and don't seem to be holding shoes particularly well this spring/summer.

His father was a farrier before him, and recommended it to his clients.

Anyone else got horses with flakey/horrible feet at the mo?

Anyone fed it?

Any feedback?

Thanks.

 

[Miss L Toe]

Things have moved on, limestone is calcium carbonate, so you would be providing one of the essential minerals [calcium for strong bones and teeth], .... however a horse needs a balanced mix of minerals and it is likely that the hoof is reflecting a dietary imbalance. Think about what you are feeding at the moment.......... and what you fed over the winter.......

If he is getting nothing, then a good thing to do is to try a full on mineral supplement like Equimins Advance [powder] at full strength, you need to provide a small [mash] feed like Fast Fibre to carry the minerals, assuming he is on grass, and in light work he should not need need any more.
PS from my geography "O" grade, [and from reading Sherlock Holmes] I recall Devon has acid soil and granite rock outcrops, so the area would be low in limestone, it is cheap enough, and I have used it, but tend to feed non molassed sugar beet in winter, which is also high in Calcium.

 

[Maesfen]

You could also try brewers yeast as that is very good for hoof and coat condition.

 

[Nocturnal]

Ditto Miss L Toe. A well balanced mineral supplement would be of more benefit. Ime very few horses require additional calcium to be supplemented; far more common is the need for more magnesium.

 

[orsceno1]

No don't feed limestone - all it will do is cause a nutrient imbalance and could make the feet worse! The most important nutrients for feet are zinc, protein (methionine) and biotin although other things too. So a good general purpose supplement is a good start. Formula 4 feet is very good although quite pricey, but is an all round supplement too. Good luck!