Periople breaking away

[Donkeymad]

One of my mares has lost approx 1cm from all around the bottom of each hoof. She is unshod, lives out 24/7 and is seen regularly by an ace farrier. She receives the same feed-wise as the others, being a token handful of HiFi Lite and a broad spectrum vit/min supplement. She is otherwise fit and healthy and VERY full of life!!
Any idea on the best way to deal with this and would a Biotin supplement help?

many thanks.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
One of my mares has lost approx 1cm from all around the bottom of each hoof. She is unshod, lives out 24/7 and is seen regularly by an ace farrier. She receives the same feed-wise as the others, being a token handful of HiFi Lite and a broad spectrum vit/min supplement. She is otherwise fit and healthy and VERY full of life!!
Any idea on the best way to deal with this and would a Biotin supplement help?

many thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi DM
I'm not sure what you mean by 'periople' as I believe this is just the waxy outer covering of the hoof wall..is the hoof wall breaking away too...?
S

 

[Donkeymad]

It is a very thin layer and, to be perfectly honest, I don't know if it is just the periople or a little more. Would you particularly notice if it was just the periople? Could it be an outer layer of hoof wall? If it is, what's the answer? (Sorry, dunce cap on today)

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
It is a very thin layer and, to be perfectly honest, I don't know if it is just the periople or a little more. Would you particularly notice if it was just the periople? Could it be an outer layer of hoof wall? If it is, what's the answer? (Sorry, dunce cap on today)

[/ QUOTE ]

The periople is just the shiny layer which 'seals' the moisture in - farriers often rasp it off. The wall itself is quite thick, and you can see where it ends by looking for the white line - it's usually quite noticeable (well, unless your fields and feet are muddy).
Unshod horses often wear round the bottoms of their feet, more so if they are a bit stiff, or have less than perfect dynamic conformation. Lack of selenium and Vit E can be linked to toe dragging if that's involved.
If you are giving a Vit/Min supplement, there's not much more to be done...except perhaps to soak feet or use hoof moist if you think they're drying out. I've used just about every foot supplement ever invented, and tbh, none really made any difference.
You'll probably find the feet start growing faster from now til the end of the autumn so the worn bit will regrow.
S

 

[Donkeymad]

Thanks. It must be hoof wall then but it is such a thin shell-like layer that it does not reach anywhere near the white line - hence my confusion. She had this when I bought her last June, but it did grow out. Maybe just a word with the farrier then when he next comes out.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks. It must be hoof wall then but it is such a thin shell-like layer that it does not reach anywhere near the white line - hence my confusion. She had this when I bought her last June, but it did grow out. Maybe just a word with the farrier then when he next comes out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, maybe ask the farrier to round the edge of the hoof off so it doesn't split up a bit by itself.
S

 

[brighteyes]

From www.horseshoes.com

"The hoof wall is the outermost structure, a horny tissue secreted by the coronary band. It is composed of keratinized epithelial cells arranged into tubules running perpendicular to the ground surface of the wall. The outer surface of the wall is covered by the periople which extends from the coronary band down about three-quarters of an inch, except at the heels, where it covers the heels and blends into the frog. This material protects the junction between the hoof wall and the coronary band. Below the periople is the stratum tectorium that continues to the bottom of the wall. This is just a thin layer of cells, so it is often rubbed off along the bottom by friction with dirt, grass and other ground materials. The stratum tectorium helps control the movement of moisture into and out of the wall"