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  Discussion on Hoof Supplements
Author Message
Member:
dustee

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 - 6:34 pm:

Help - My mare has a club foot, and I have had this mare for ten years, and we have managed just fine - - until I moved to Florida and have had serious difficulty finding a good farrier. The one I have now is young, medium experience but - he works qwith some good farriers who train him and he is learning a lot and I am confident he will improve.
I told him I have pictures of my mare's feet from a year ago, and there is a dramatic difference in them. The left front is getting "dishier" and the growth is almost all heel and no toe.
Her diet since we moved down here is dramatically different. The hay quality is not good - compared only with what she was used to. I want to start her on a complete hoof supplement to see how we do on that. Right now she is only getting 20 mg Biotin as a supplement.
My question is this - she is very reactive to a lot of things in her diet - and I would like experienced opinions on hoof supplements you all have used, had good luck with results, that didn't mentally or physically spike your horse.
I am not looking to turn her into a nutbar of any sort. Your ideas would be most appreciated - !!
Thanks so much in advance!! Dustee
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 - 8:56 pm:

Bioflax ultra has always been my favorite. with good results...nice coat too.

https://www.horsetech.com/bioflax_ultra.htm#Secure%20Online%20Ordering!
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 - 7:17 am:

Dustylin,

I am not quite sure if a hoof supplement will help your mares club foot or help deal with your environmental problems but I use Springtime Hoof and Coat formula (it used to be called Tracelytes). www.springtimeinc.com

For me this serves two purposes, 1. Good for feet 2. Has a good mix of electrolytes. Only have to feed 1 supplement to take care of both issues.

It also works quickly

Good luck in your search!
Rachelle
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 - 9:55 am:

My veterinarian recommended "Farrier's Formula or something similar to that."

So I bought the Farrier's Formula, double strength, so it is necessary to feed less volume of the product.

Dr. O's article will tell you what ingredients you want to look for.
Member:
dustee

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 - 10:00 am:

Rachelle - I am thinking that this is happening to my horse for two reasons: (1) major change in nutritional intake. Even though I give her some alfalfa, the hay we get is somewhat devoid of nutrition. When we moved down here she wasn't sure if she should pee on it, poop on it or sleep on it. and (2) we had a major problem last year with very bad timing where at the beginning of the wet season I STUPIDLY took off her shoes on the advice of some people down here - who I will never listen to again. I had soft feet, abscesses, major lameness, etc. X-rays were taken at that time, and internally she was fine.
The hay she was used to up north was a very green, lovely mix of about 15% alfalfa, maybe 5% clover, little timothy and orchard grass. It fulfilled a lot of nutritional requirements as my horse cannot tolerate large amounts of grain. She tries to founder if she gets a lot of grain----a lot for her would be a quart a meal. I was told, and I'm sure Dr. O may have a different explanation than this, - but when she intakes grain - she has a slow digestive process and by the time the nutrients hit her blood stream - much of it has toxated. That's the gist of it. I have had horses continuously for 40 years, and she's the only one like this I have ever had. She tolerates grass and hay well, but finding more quality in a plainer hay than straight alfalfa is a challenge where I am. I use Blue Seal's Hay Stretcher, which as least helps to fill up her tummy and she loves it. I went through Dr. O's info and he say to address nutrition first. So, that's where I am. I am also thinking that while I give her biotin supplement - - that it the only thing in it - biotin....I have heard of Springtime and will look this up - thanks so much!!!
And Diane - I will check your idea out too. Sure seems like a good price for a nice mix! Thanks Dustee
Member:
rtrotter

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 - 10:25 pm:

Dustee,
I just got done posting in LynnL's discussion with her horses that has digestive problems. If you have a Triple Crown Dealer near you. I would look at their Triple Crown Safe starch forage product. Don't need any grain and the product is very consistent, but expensive.

I used it last year and had very good results. I was getting tired of buying different types of hay, that may have been a contributing cause to my mares diarrhea. 2 days on the stuff and no more problem.

I have gone back to hay(which has been pretty consistent), a complete feed with beet pulp, and Junior Glo which is a Forage First feed made by ADM. No more diarrhea and because of the Junior Glo a much calmer horse.

I hope you get this sorted out.
Rachelle
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