Worried about my horse's feet (advice needed)

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spotty_pony

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I posted a while back asking for recommendations on hoof oils, etc for brittle hooves. This weather seems to have made my boy's feet go really soft and they have started cracking and bits are breaking off (especially his hind ones)
He has always had fantastic feet - and up until recently had only lost about two shoes in the past seven years in which I've had him for. But in the last three months he has lost three shoes. :( I have tried Keratex Hoof Hardener - only used it twice but it seems to have made the hooves really dry and crumbly. Have been using Kevin Bacon for about the past six weeks - applying it approx four times per week as suggested for maintenance. It does seem to have helped but now I am beginning to wonder whether his hooves are becoming reliant on it, as they definitely seem to start to get worse again if I don't put anything on them for a few days.

One of his hind shoes became really loose today and completely came away on one side of his foot so had to take it off. He was only shod two weeks ago, but I have used the same Farrier for the past seven years and he has always been great, so I am not blaming him. There isn't a lot of hoof wall left on the outside and his foot is now a bit of an odd shape :( so worried he is going to have trouble keeping shoes on that foot in the future now.

Think I am going to have a chat with my Farrier about what he suggests we do and see which hoof oils/hoof supplements he recommends.

I half wonder whether he could do with his hind shoes off until the quality of his hoof wall has improved but my problem is that as we mainly hack, I think it would just wear his hooves away and make him sore - and with Hunting season getting closer and closer he really does need to be shod as I can't hunt him barefoot!!

Anyone else got this problem/had this experience? What did you do? I am probably over-exaggerting slightly on the condition of his feet, but I'm just a bit shocked and confused as I've never seen them look in such bad condition - and I haven't changed much in the way of what he is fed, etc at all in the past seven years - the only big change I can think of is how wet it has been this summer, compared with other years.

Any advice much appreciated. :)
 
spottypony said:
I posted a while back asking for recommendations on hoof oils, etc for brittle hooves. This weather seems to have made my boy's feet go really soft and they have started cracking and bits are breaking off (especially his hind ones)
He has always had fantastic feet - and up until recently had only lost about two shoes in the past seven years in which I've had him for. But in the last three months he has lost three shoes. :( I have tried Keratex Hoof Hardener - only used it twice but it seems to have made the hooves really dry and crumbly. Have been using Kevin Bacon for about the past six weeks - applying it approx four times per week as suggested for maintenance. It does seem to have helped but now I am beginning to wonder whether his hooves are becoming reliant on it, as they definitely seem to start to get worse again if I don't put anything on them for a few days.

One of his hind shoes became really loose today and completely came away on one side of his foot so had to take it off. He was only shod two weeks ago, but I have used the same Farrier for the past seven years and he has always been great, so I am not blaming him. There isn't a lot of hoof wall left on the outside and his foot is now a bit of an odd shape :( so worried he is going to have trouble keeping shoes on that foot in the future now.

Think I am going to have a chat with my Farrier about what he suggests we do and see which hoof oils/hoof supplements he recommends.

I half wonder whether he could do with his hind shoes off until the quality of his hoof wall has improved but my problem is that as we mainly hack, I think it would just wear his hooves away and make him sore - and with Hunting season getting closer and closer he really does need to be shod as I can't hunt him barefoot!!

Anyone else got this problem/had this experience? What did you do? I am probably over-exaggerting slightly on the condition of his feet, but I'm just a bit shocked and confused as I've never seen them look in such bad condition - and I haven't changed much in the way of what he is fed, etc at all in the past seven years - the only big change I can think of is how wet it has been this summer, compared with other years.

Any advice much appreciated. :)
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My tb has been suffering with cracks a lot this summer. Our farrier said its caused because of the weather as its been warm but pretty wet causing cracking, as well as conditions like seedy toe which my girl had the farrier cut out a nasty crack but she also gets a lot of splits around the nails, so I started using NAF hoof rub and her hooves, after applying the rub once a day, are pretty much crackless now! (:
 
You definitely can hunt barefoot. If you look up cptrayes on here she has some rather impressive pictures of her barefoot hunters. Even if it takes your horse a little while to get used to barefoot you'll prob get more work this winter than you would have done if they keep pulling off shoes in the mud.

Whether you decide to go barefoot or not I'd have a look at your horse's diet and see if you can do anything to improve that. Check your feeds to see if they have any mollasses or moglo in them. Are you feeding a general purpose vit and min supplement? That can improve general hoof quality, I'd also consider adding a mug a day of micronised linseed as that can be a big help.
 
Thanks - will have a look at NAF Hoof moist rub. He is fed Baileys Lo-Cal Balancer, which is know to promote strong and healthy hoof growth. Have been considering trying him on Farrier's Formula but with it being expensive and not knowing enough about how effective it is I have been reluctant to rush into buying it but at the moment I am willing to try anything.
And will look into the barefoot hunting thing - even just barefoot behind may be an option possibly?!
 
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I'm not sure Farriers Formula would give you much the Lo Cal wouldn't but might be worth comparing the ingredients.

I'd still add micronised linseed as well, its magic stuff.
 
You aren't alone! My tb is now stabled during the day and out at night, he just can't tolerate constant wet ground. Mine had several cracks which are now almost grown out, I use effol on the outsides of the hooves, he's very prone to thrush which I treat. I try and keep him on a high fibre, low sugar diet and I feed micronised linseed. The barefoot people will give you more advice on diet.
 
I've had the same problem with my cob recently, he lost a shoe and took some of his hoof with it :( MIne are his fronts though, I too feed lo cal & and a small amount of happy hoof. He is due to be shod again in just over a week and I'm not sure what the farrier will nail them to. I'm hoping to give him a break from shoes over winter for a little while. I do mainly hacking but won't do so much in the winter.
 
Feed him biotin mixed with seaweed, or farriers formula. Also, buy some effol summer huuf and apply every morning/evening. Biotin&seaweed will encourage healthy hoof and horn development, summer huuf will give elasticity and healthy hooves. Maybe get farrier to give a good trim and put on wider shoes? Worked for my mare :)
 
I feel it's very unlikely that a horse taken BF now will be ready to hunt at the beginning of the season.
Cptrayes drag hunts ( i think) it will depend on the country and type of hunting you do , my OH 's horse is happily BF at the mo but will have front shoes on at the end of September and back in November the type of hunting he does would be very hard to manage BF.
When do you normally start hunting there is time to give the hinds a eight week break and keep working and take all off and try to keep working in boots .
Personally I dont think hunting in boots would work but would be interested in anyone who does posting and saying how they find it works.
 
I think Clava hunts in Gloves.

The constant lard and oils being put on his feet won't be helping matters, I don't think. You need to address the issue with diet. Low sugar and starch, and good levels of balanced minerals.

The hoof you have now will need to be grown out before the full effects of the dietary change will be apparant, but you should still see some improvements before then. There is no short cut to healthy hooves, I'm afraid.
 
You are too close to the start of the season to go without shoes now. Some horses would manage immediately, but it's unlikely yours would be fit to hunt from what you describe.

I personally think boots out hunting is a very strange idea. With my two hunts, fording streams and fetlock deep or deeper mud, they wouldn't stay on any horse I was on for long. Having used boots on several horses for hacking, I would also say that the risk of serious rubbing while hunting would be enormous.

If you want to try next year, start immediately the 2012/13 season ends and we'll be full of advice for you.
 
We use Kevin Bacon & feed formula for feet, but bear in mind when you start feeding an additive it will be about 6 months before the new horn has grown down.
 
Hello,

I personally wouldn’t put anything like hoof oil on the outside of the hoof wall. The material of the hoof wall is made so it can absorb moisture etc, if you start messing about with it, it can play the role it is meant to do.

A few thoughts:

Do you know the ingredients of what you are currently feeding? If you can have a look that’s always useful, as previously mentioned avoid molasses. If your hay comes from a regular source you can undertake a hay analysis www.forageplus.com that is also run by barefoot hoof care professionals, as already mentioned can do this and provided a matching balancer.

Other specific items:

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to laminitis, muscle stiffness and a depressed immune system. Good for strong hooves, reducing fat deposits and as a calmer.


Micronised linseed

Contains Omega 3 Fat which isn't in the grass in winter, and is lost during the hay/haylage curing process.


Or rather than feed specific minerals use a whole supplement like Progressive Earth Pro Hoof or Equimins Meta Balance, a Forage Plus Balancer (there is differing ones for the season) or Formula for Feet.

If you choose to supplement, then just ensure your carrier doesn’t have rubbish in it. Speedi-Beet (unmolassed beet) or Fast Fibre (Fast Fibre is chaff and beet but warning has garlic in it) are popular.

Pro hoof is from Progressive Earth and that seems to be popular.

 Minerals: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Progressive-Earth

 www.hiltonherbs.com

 www.forageplus.com

Off the shelf (but more barefoot friendly/holistic/natural) balancers will have differing amounts of the different minerals. It is not necessarily the highest ones that are best it will depend on what your horse is already getting from his grass, hay, and existing feed/lifestyle, and their differing needs throughout the year. Sometimes a higher amount of something may stop the aborbtion of another mineral.. but unless hay/grass it tested its a case of trying one and seeing if you notice the improvement.

You can buy supplements from many different places. Be mindful, the cheapest may not necessary be the best quality.

Getting out for hedgerow walks is useful. There your horse will have the choice to self-select, and can chooses the natural remedies he needs. Nettles (cut them down and chuck them into the field, rosehips and clivers (sticky plant) are all easily found and have been sited to improve hoof growth/quality. Or buying herbs… Your horse may select something one day and not be interested in it the next, it doesn’t mean they don’t like it, just maybe that they don’t want it on that day. Same as somedays I want a beer after work, other days it’s gorging on Haribo and chocolate or raiding the fridge for cheese!
Herbs: comfrey, buckwheat, hawthorn, nettle; will help with circulation, blood cleansing and hoof growth.
Herbs rich in silica such as clivers will help to improve horn quality.
Rosehips lots of vitamin C and includes the flavonoid rutin which will strengthen fragile blood vessels and improve blood supply..all useful for getting blood pumping effective around the hoof. The above is taken from A Modern Horse Herbal.

Hope useful.

Best wishes
Hannah
 
Horses need a break from shoeing every year if you hunt the best time to start this in march as soon as the season ends the better hoof boots that are available now means that this does not mean the horse has to be stuffed in a field and left you can continue to use your horse with help from boots as necessary during this time hunters feet take a lot of stick during a hard season and a break is vital if you are not going to get a nail sick foot at some point and be forced into a rest.
 
I've got the same problem and took the decision today to leave hind shoes off for 1 shoeing, farrier was out today, shod every 5 weeks. He thinks it due to the wet weather we had earlier this summer.

Mine is a welsh d who has to be on restricted grazing during the summer but is fed linseed all year. I will keep him in work but restrict road work and see how it goes, good excuse for a few trips to the beach. Normally has Kevin bacons hoof dressing on 2-3 times a week.

Fingers crossed they'll improve soon otherwise it's resin build up and shoes back on.
 
I can understand why you did not change your diet as it had worked up to date, but this problem is ongoing, so if I were you, I would have him off the grass during the day, feed soaked hay, Fast Fibre , micronised linseed, and a hoof supplement, nothing other than a radical change is going to make any difference.
PS I realise supplements are expensive, but surely hunting and horse owning already needs a deep pocket.
 
WhenI think about feeding for feet I spilt it in my mind into two one feed for growth ie horn growth and a good quality hoof supplement like farriers formula will do this.
Then there's feeding with senestivity in mind now that's harder many horses in work do not have senestivity I only soak forage for one of mine I avoid feeding any food stuff with minerals and vitamins added because I yet to find a food in a bag that I need to feed enough of for them to be getting the correct amount of supplementation so I feed only no vitamin/mineral added foods and supplement myself then I know where I am.
Personally I find it's best not to over complicate if OP's horse has been shod over a year without a break then it's probally simple nail sickness and a period without shoes a hoof growth supplement should fix it .
A lot of horses feet are suffering this year I can't remember a more difficult a summer .
 
I swear by Kevin Bacon together with teatree oil and eucalyptus oil added to iodine. The iodine mixture helps to reduce the bacteria which invade the nail-holes and cracks especially in this wet/warm weather thus hopefully reducing white-line disease which compromises the quality of the hoof wall (feet breaking up and loosing shoes!).
 
I will keep him in work but restrict road work and see how it goes
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I have just started to ride my mare recently after a long and painful journey to save my her (no exaggeration unfortunately), caused by a bad farrier. As part of her rehab, I led her out in-hand down the lanes (before she was ready to be ridden). Walking on tarmac is really good for unshod/barefoot hooves, so I would suggest that you don't restrict it, in fact do more. My mare was very happy on flat, stone free tarmac and her hooves were terrible to start with.
 
Faracat my farrier actually said he shouldn't need restricting but see how it goes, I do a lot of road work.

Miss L Toe, farrier is only a few miles away and has said he'll call in and check him/rasp if necessary.

May get some farriers formula tomorrow just to help it along
 
Thank you for all of your replies. :)

One last question - will it be a waste of time for me to ad Farrier's Formula to my boy's feed then if he is already being fed a Balancer?
 
No - it won't be a waste of time. However, I would try your horse with a taster of the stuff before you buy a big bag as some horses don't like the taste and refuse to eat it!
 
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