Supplement/dressing for hoof condition?

[Brandy]

I have just taken the shoes off my native pony. Or rather my excellent farrier has. He manages without shoes in that he is not sore or footy etc unless he treads on stones which is no real surprise. The problem I have is that the feet wear very quickly.

One of the reasons for this I think is the sand school. However, he will be working less (2 - 3 times a week) so I am hoping that he will be able to remain shoeless.

Is there any advice anyone can give about hoof wear? I would rather not resort to boots - kind of defeats the object I feel. Also, a couple of friends have used them recently, and they are very expensive, and don't seem to last.

The feet do not crack or anything like that, they simply wear quickly.

There are several EP's in the area but i've seen the work of one and tbh its put me off. I would rather stick with my farrier. Maybe I should tar all with the same brush but a bad experience goes a long way unfortunately!

Thanks

 

[ThePony]

his feet should become harder with regular work - small bits of regular roadwork are fab. For a supplement I would use biotin (http://www.naturalhorsesupplies.co.uk/p/category/0802232287-Healthy+Hooves/) along with a multivit, for a dressing I use naf hoof moist about once a week. Sure they recommend every day but I don't find they need it and it would cost you an absolute fortune too! Def nothing oily! If the hooves are becoming too dry if we have an extended spell of dry weather then I just tip out the water trough every few days so when they take a drink they get a bit of hoof moisture too. I do think that less of often more for hooves, so long as the horse is in good health, is getting appropriate exercise and nutrition, then they grow their own great hooves - no hassle!