Slow hoof growth

HappyHollyDays

HappyHollyDays

3 yard cats and 2 ponies
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My 9yr old Connie has extraordinarily slow Hoof growth and to add to the problem he needs to be shod every 4 weeks because he wears through shoes like I've never seen before.

I've only had him 6 months and prior to getting him he was living out with half a bale of hay in winter, grass in the summer and no hard feed at all. I now have him on soaked grass nuts, a cup of Bailey's Nr 6, oat straw chaff, Equine America Airways Extra and a scoop of Forage Plus Hoof & Skin balancer.

I was expecting to see some kind of improvement in his hooves by now but they are still growing at a snails pace and I wondered whether there is anything else I can add to his diet to help with the lack of growth. DP who is barefoot gets a mouthful of grass nuts and chaff as a carrier for the Forage Plus and has lovely feet which grow well and rarely chip.

Any thoughts from foot experts gratefully received.
 
I suspect it doesn't help that you have a barefoot to compare to. IME hoof growth is really related to amount of stimulation. When my own was in full work and doing miles of road work his hooves were growing so quick that I was trimming ever 2-3 weeks. Now he is only hacking twice a week, so a lot less wear he barely needs a rasp after 6 weeks.

Is there a reason you are worried about the slow growth, is it good growth just slow or poor quality too?

I'd consider switching out the baileys No. 6. In particular in case he isn't getting on with the alfalfa, but you are probably also doubling up on minerals etc. I'd take that out and give micronised linseed and oats instead.
 
Thanks ester I will switch out the Baileys just in case it's the alfalfa and will start him on linseed. I had planned to feed it once the grass finally stops growing as he can lose condition quickly. Unfortunately his hoof quality is very poor and it would be nice to improve it so the farrier has a better foot to work with. I'm hoping now I have access to a school and more off-road hacking I will be able to do less roadwork and get him on to a 5 week shoeing cycle.
 
What Ester says. I find a difference if I ever stop the progressive earth I use, but mine are never shod so its hard to compare. When Leo came he didnt grow any hoof and hadnt been trimmed for about 8 months and they were still tiny! He now grows enough that he can do 8 miles of rough tracks and tarmac twice a week plus 3 or 4 days hard work in a sand school. I had to be careful in the beginning to give him time for the growth to catch up with the wear but he managed it easily. I'm a bit stumped with shod feet though!
 
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