Supplements to help my horses hooves?

[amberstan]

My 22 year old mare has very poor condition feet, and has recently had front shoes on.
She is terribly foot-sore without shoes, so they are a necessity, but unfortunately the only field she can be kept in is very wet and muddy.
Her hooves are always soft and flared out at the sole. Her hooves also frequently crack or split.
I was wondering whether there are any supplements or ointments etc.. that could help her feet? If you know of any reccomendations, please let me know!!
I will answer any of your questions below,
thanks in advance,
Amber x

 

[Regandal]

Does your mare come in at night? Might help to get her off a wet field to let her feet dry off a bit. Has she not always had shoes? Shoes are not a necessity, if her feet are sore you could try boots & pads. Ointments don't really work, best for hoof quality is a low sugar diet and something like Prohoof or Forageplus.

 

[mightymammoth]

Does your mare come in at night? Might help to get her off a wet field to let her feet dry off a bit. Has she not always had shoes? Shoes are not a necessity, if her feet are sore you could try boots & pads. Ointments don't really work, best for hoof quality is a low sugar diet and something like Prohoof or Forageplus.

agree with this, and micronised linseed is very good, you got get a 20kg sack that will last you about six months. http://www.farmandpetplace.co.uk/pr...eed/conditioning/micronized-linseed-20kg.html

 

[Adina]

You don't say whether your horse is ridden, or whether she is out in a wet field 24/7. If she is not ridden, but out 24/7 then boots would just provide a nice environment for thrush, unless you can bring her in and take them off. Its not as simple as just give a bit of this or that and leave the shoes off. She may have thrush anyway. The hoof is a "smart" structure, so you need remove infection, check nutrition (feet need nutrients which may or may not already being provided) and allow the foot to remodel. There is a very good, free webinar on Horse.com about the smart hoof. Its quite long but well worth watching.

 

[_HP_]

A good, low sugar/cereal diet with well balanced minerals is your best bet.
I would feed her something like speedi beet with T.E.N.S daily balancer
http://www.tensupplements.co.uk/daily-balancer
And add micronised linseed and salt.

If she has only recently become footsore without shoes then I would recommend having her tested for Cushings especially considering her age (I would do this anyway actually). The test is free till the end of this month so it would only cost you your vet fee.

http://www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk/certificate-form/