Please recommend me a hoof supplement

Wagtail

Wagtail

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I have been reading up on feeding the hoof as recommended by the more knowledgable hoof people on here, but find my mind is in a whirl. Can anyone recommend an all in one supplement that will give my mare all she needs to grow the best hooves she can? Preferably one that is highly pallatable as she's a fussy thing when it comes to anything 'strange' in her feed. Won't touch garlic, for example. Thanks.
 
I use 'Pro Hoof' by progressive earth (one of the ones I think is mentioned on here sometimes), the palatability of it I wouldn't really know as there's not much my horse wouldn't try and eat!
 
stargirl88 said:
I use 'Pro Hoof' by progressive earth (one of the ones I think is mentioned on here sometimes), the palatability of it I wouldn't really know as there's not much my horse wouldn't try and eat!
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Lol, my horse is pretty greedy but anything that tastes different takes her an age to get used to, and sometimes she'd rather starve than eat it. Thanks, will see if my feed suppliers have it.
 
i swear by the kevin bacon range...my mare used to be barefoot but only due to using kevin bacon dressing, its stops the hoof cracking and helps correct growth etc.

there is one feed product and the rest are applied directly to the hoof which might be best for your horse..id have a look on the website..their products really do work!
 
naid pollyanna said:
i swear by the kevin bacon range...my mare used to be barefoot but only due to using kevin bacon dressing, its stops the hoof cracking and helps correct growth etc.

there is one feed product and the rest are applied directly to the hoof which might be best for your horse..id have a look on the website..their products really do work!
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Thank you. I will take a look. I think it is going to be a case of buying a few products and see which one my mare eats best. It's going to cost me a bit, but she's worth it.
 
Pro hoof or Forage Plus performance balancer. You will need to add vitamin e to the FP one unless you go for their winter balancer. The quantities of the Forage Plus ones are much greater so the Pro Hoof might be easier to get a fussy horse to eat. Introduce them slowly and don't give up. Mine wolf them down now.

Just as an aside, my laminitic pony is doing really, really well since starting the performance balancer plus the vitamin e powder. It is pricey though. She was previously on the winter balancer.
 
My 14.2 connie couldnt hold a shoe and feet kept spilting so we have taken his shoes off and in his feed we give him a scoop of farriers forumlar it has helped him and his feet are back to normal had taken about 2 months though but totally worth it, the feed is on the expensive side though but it does work xx
 
I get mine balanced to my forage by forage plus but I would really reccomend going with either the Progressive earth one or the forage plus one. The people that make them have put a great deal of effort into researching what horses need as well as analysing 'typical' forage supplies in the UK which forms the bulk of most horse's diets after all.

While the kevin bacon dressing can help initially, it realy isn't necessary or beneficial once you get the diet right.

Biotin on it's own is not meeting the horse's nutritional requirements for healthy body and hoof.

Farriers Formula tends to be quite unpallatable.

Try sprinkling some mint in her feeds before you start adding the supplement and then increase the supplement by a sprinkle at a time ;)
 
CBFan said:
I get mine balanced to my forage by forage plus but I would really reccomend going with either the Progressive earth one or the forage plus one. The people that make them have put a great deal of effort into researching what horses need as well as analysing 'typical' forage supplies in the UK which forms the bulk of most horse's diets after all.

While the kevin bacon dressing can help initially, it realy isn't necessary or beneficial once you get the diet right.

Biotin on it's own is not meeting the horse's nutritional requirements for healthy body and hoof.

Farriers Formula tends to be quite unpallatable.

Try sprinkling some mint in her feeds before you start adding the supplement and then increase the supplement by a sprinkle at a time ;)
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Excellent. Thankyou.
 
Thanks. I have ordered some pro hoof and I'll see if she'll eat it. Then if not, work my way through the other recommendations. Adding mint is a good suggestion.
 
I use pro balance + by the progressive earth people, it's much the same as pro hoof but without some of the more expensive ingredients. It's been working a treat for my lad. Would also second the micronised linseed too.

I've also heard that hooves aren't particularly porous from the outside so much better to feed for the hoof than smother it in stuff. Good luck :)
 
DunDally said:
our farrier recommended rosehip and seaweed. its worked a treat and our boy's feet are now in great condition
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Hadn't heard that one before. Thank you.

bikerchickone said:
I use pro balance + by the progressive earth people, it's much the same as pro hoof but without some of the more expensive ingredients. It's been working a treat for my lad. Would also second the micronised linseed too.

I've also heard that hooves aren't particularly porous from the outside so much better to feed for the hoof than smother it in stuff. Good luck :)
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Thanks. Useful to know they do a more economical one. Will stick with the pro hoof for now if she'll eat it as I want to throw everything I can at her.
 
I'm feeding Top Spec light - on to 2nd bag in addition to alpha a molasses free and speedibeet. Farrier has already commented on how much his feet have grown and seem stronger ( he didn't recommend feed!) I also put on Kevin Bacon hoof dressing every day which my farrier does recommend
 
I use a hoof supplement from progressive earth upon recommendation from HHO'ers for my barefoot horse and one soon to be barefoot.

It's the cheaper one as it doesn't have Yea Sacc in it..think its called Pro balance rather than pro hoof! Seems to be doing the trick. :)
 
Seaweed is increadibly high in Iodine which you can end up ODing on if you're not careful.

The first time I had my forage analysed I was told to feed two measures of seaweed per MONTH (on the packet it tells you to feed one or two a DAY) this time I have been advised I don't need to feed any at all... 6 months and a couple of miles between forage samples...

rosehips are good - certainly as a treat but I wouldn't pay for them - pick them from hedgerows instead.

I second the Micronised Linseed. Just a mugfull a day is more than adequate :)
 
CBFan said:
Seaweed is increadibly high in Iodine which you can end up ODing on if you're not careful.

The first time I had my forage analysed I was told to feed two measures of seaweed per MONTH (on the packet it tells you to feed one or two a DAY) this time I have been advised I don't need to feed any at all... 6 months and a couple of miles between forage samples...

rosehips are good - certainly as a treat but I wouldn't pay for them - pick them from hedgerows instead.

I second the Micronised Linseed. Just a mugfull a day is more than adequate :)
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Thanks, I am awaiting delivery of the micronised linseed and the pro hoof. All the horses on my yard love rosehips, but sadly, not my mare. :rolleyes: I just hope she eats the linseed and pro hoof. Will start her off on small amounts.
 
Wagtail said:
Thanks, I am awaiting delivery of the micronised linseed and the pro hoof. All the horses on my yard love rosehips, but sadly, not my mare. :rolleyes: I just hope she eats the linseed and pro hoof. Will start her off on small amounts.
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That is definately the way to go... and MINT! Its fab... horse at my old yard refused to eat his food with meds in so I suggested to the owner to try it and sure enough he gobbled his tea up... I also use it when I worm my boy as I can't syringe it into his mouth so he gets it in his tea instead with a healthy helping of mint :)... I grow it in tubs at the yard during the summer - saves a few pennies on buying it from feed merchants ;)

good luck!
 
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