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Discussion on Duration of light exposure for hoof regrowth post-founder
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Friday, Sep 14, 2007 - 12:51 pm:
A boarder has brought me a horse for layup/re-hab after a mild to moderate (depends whether you ask vet or owner) founder with several degrees of rotation.
She has asked me to provide the horse 14 hours of light/day in order to speed hoof re-growth and recovery. She is making an analogy from using light to bring on a mare's estrus cycle, with the assumption that she can induce a spring-like hoof growth cycle in her gelding (which she tells me is a noticeable change in hoof growth from fall/winter).
Is there any basis to suppose this might work? Apart from raising my electric bill and driving me nuts, can it do any harm?
Thanks.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Sep 14, 2007 - 7:25 pm:
Elizabeth I THINK hoof growth is more dependent upon diet,... protein + biotin-meth supplement would probably work better. He might not grow a good winter coat either if more light is provided, but maybe she blankets.
Hank is growing hoof fast with the supplement I have been giving him and the new hoof growth seems strong and healthy.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 - 8:44 am:
Hello Elizabeth,
this is a often come upon notion and one my wife believes. I have never seen any actual measurements taken that compares growth during the different seasons but if true there may be several mechanisms at work beside the hormonal shifts seen in horses: decrease plane of nutrition associated with disappearing fresh grass, the colder temperatures effecting foot metabolism directly, and the decrease in work that stimulates blood flow.
If you decide to take on this project I would be sure to take into account the extra costs associated with the care of this horses when coming up with a boarding fee.
DrO
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 - 10:05 am:
Hi Dr. O,
Thanks. I think I'll go ahead and print off a copy of my HMO (High Maintenance Owner) Agreement for this girl and see if she still wants to move forward.
I sure appreciate having such a knowledgeable and dispassionate resource to consult on my horse questions! Thanks for supporting the site Dr. O.
- Elizabeth
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