Weak/Cracked Hooves

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Henry.Col

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Help :confused:

I have just purchased a very lovely TB (the most non stereotypical TB) apart from his feet, which arent great!

He has thrown a shoe today, and his hooves are pretty awful really! I have always had hardy horses with strong feet, so any hints and tips much appreciated! I think I will have heart bars put on tomorrow to try and help!

What products/supplements do people use? I have heard good things about farriers formular.
 
I dont rate hoof supplements - sorry.

I do however have a TB with excellent feet. I use Keratex hoof moisturiser once a week and Effol daily. In the winter (with the really wet ground) I use Keratex Hoof Hardener (if the feet soften) once a week and Keratex Hoof Gel a couple of times a week and Effol Daily.

You will find what works for you eventually. I know people who swear by Biotin and by Farriers formula, Pro feet ect. I find that application direct to the hoof works best from personal experience...
 
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Diet - biotin for example, although it'll take a good 6 weeks to get into the system and a while to see an improvement. I guess you are on top of regular farrier attention. If they're cracked through dryness, then hose them every day if you can and use a water based moisturiser. When my TB's were suffering through being in the snow and softening, I used "Rock Hard" (I think) which was pretty good.
 
I have literally only just taken him on, getting him shod tomorrow to start on a clean slate so to speak! I have spoken to a friend and she raves about Keratex so i think that is the way i will go!
 
I agree its the diet you need to look at. Sugar and starch levels in a horse's diet can cause hooves to go brittle and loose condition. Too much rich grass could be a contributing factor. My boy is barefoot and we saw straight away his foot condition drop once the spring grass kicked in. I have him on Magnesium Oxide which helps neutralise the sugar and have put him in a paddock which has less / poorer grass.

Sugar levels are something you could take into account as you experiment with supplements and lotions and potions. Good luck with it :)
 
ECRider said:
. I have him on Magnesium Oxide which helps neutralise the sugar and have put him in a paddock which has less / poorer grass.

Sugar levels are something you could take into account as you experiment with supplements and lotions and potions. Good luck with it :)
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Thats really interesting, he is turned out 24/7 on quite good grass so that could be a factor! where do you get the magnesium oxide?
 
Henry.Col said:
I have literally only just taken him on, getting him shod tomorrow to start on a clean slate so to speak! I have spoken to a friend and she raves about Keratex so i think that is the way i will go!
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Be careful though - make sure you use the right product (I am not trying to condescend so sorry if it sounds like I am).

I only say because when I first started using the hoof hardener I applied it every day for about 4 weeks then my farrier came and said that it is great but it can take feet to far the other way... he said once a week was plenty BUT this was advice for my horse.

The gel you need to use a couple of times a week because it builds a barrier up on the hoof and the moisturiser is great but all the Keratex range are expensive BUT they work. Effol is great for everyday use and it is not as expensive :o good luck xxxx
 
Not condecending at all, it is something i have never had to worry about, so i dont know a huge amount about what is on the market!

I will have a chat with the farrier and go from there, i know there is no instant fix and will take time!
 
Feeding micronised ground linseed is very good for feet and also for coat shine and weight gain. Also rubbing in Mega Tek to hooves is very good also works for hair lose such as when neck hoods rub out parts of mane.
 
Henry.Col said:
Not condecending at all, it is something i have never had to worry about, so i dont know a huge amount about what is on the market!

I will have a chat with the farrier and go from there, i know there is no instant fix and will take time!
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Its the best way. Farriers will be able to advise accordingly and it really is courses for horses. Its a difficult one and like I said you will find what works for you.

I tried the diet route, first with biotin (2 years) then Farriers Formula (2 years) and it made no difference AND a couple of my mates have been in the same position. It was my farrier who said that application to the hoof is normally the best way as some supplements on the market are just over priced tat that may never work. I tried Kevin Bacon initially with good results but found that Keratex used routinely alongside Effol products have resulted in the best outcome for my horse.
 
I spoke to my farrier about using a moisturizing product in summer and a hardener in winter and he said that's the worst thing u can do. He explained it in a way that hooves break down and shoes are lost mainly due to the climate in the uk, one day hot and dry the next wet. It's the contracting of the hooves due to this that causes the problems. I suppose arabs in hot deserts manage without a moisturiser? This is due to them having a consistent environment. I therefore apply only a hardener otherwise all you do is add to the problem already caused my our lovely British climate!
 
Horses24-7 said:
I spoke to my farrier about using a moisturizing product in summer and a hardener in winter and he said that's the worst thing u can do. He explained it in a way that hooves break down and shoes are lost mainly due to the climate in the uk, one day hot and dry the next wet. It's the contracting of the hooves due to this that causes the problems. I suppose arabs in hot deserts manage without a moisturiser? This is due to them having a consistent environment. I therefore apply only a hardener otherwise all you do is add to the problem already caused my our lovely British climate!
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TBH this is why I use the Keratex stuff once a week (too much of a good thing???). The Effol I find is just a good allround hoof dessing and easier on the pocket :o
 
My tb gets happy hoof which has biotin in during the summer months, mainly to mix supplements into, so not a huge amount. I apply kevin bacon a few times a week but he's shod so I don't seem to have the problem of splitting hooves. My ID is unshod though and I apply kevin bacon daily. He also has formula for feet supplement which is really good, quite expensive though as it goes on weight and he's 700kgs!
 
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