Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 19:40:55 GMT
Benny's feet leave something to be desired as far as quality goes. They are not really bad, but aren't really great either.
I have been considering putting him on a foot / biotin supplement and was wondering what everyone likes to use and has had good results with (or bad results).
I have been painting his feet daily with the absorbine hoof flex, and I'm not unhappy with it, but was wondering if there is something better out there to be used in conjunction with a supplement.
Any thoughts and input are appreciated.  |
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mistersmom
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Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749 
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 9, 2014 19:55:31 GMT
I can hear the googler in my head now - "good hooves come from within, not from topical treatments" (or well, something along those lines).
What is wrong with them? Are they brittle?
I've been feeding Mister a hood supplement I get from Tractor Supply, it's made by Dumor and I think it is just called hoof supplement. I've been trying to get his feet to grow out after treating white line. It seems to be making his hooves grow pretty quickly. My farrier did tell me that you really need to provide at least 20 mg of biotin per day for a supplement to do any good, 30 mg is better. Some of the "top" name supplements don't even come close to that number.
Of course a good feeding regimen is also important but I know you are already doing that!
I've also been told that it is a good idea to "flood" the area where their water troughs are to make it a bit muddy. I will do this occasionally if we haven't had rain in a while. Of course if he is in a stall, that won't do!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 21:24:33 GMT
Haha, I wouldn't dare start a thread like this anywhere where the 'Googler' might find it.
His feet are a little weak, the crack and chip more than I would like them too. I have heard that you need quite a lot of biotin for it be effective so I will definitely be checking the guaranteed analysis on everything before I purchase.
A large part of our current problem is that his feet were in less than stellar shape when I bought him and I could not get a farrier to come out for the life of me. He has the low heel, long toe thing going on that a lot of racehorses seem to. It is being slowly corrected now, but I try to help him out however I can.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
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Post by mingiz on Oct 9, 2014 21:41:03 GMT
I have used Farriers Formula and Horse Shoers Secret with good results. I use reducine hoof oimtment also. You apply that on the coronary band.
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 9, 2014 21:58:34 GMT
Sounds like Benny has typical Thoroughbred hooves...........
Why are you painting his feet every day? Wet? Dry?....
Sometimes applying "hoof dressings" to much, to often is detrimental instead.
If you are looking to seal in moisture or out excessive moisture I have found using "Tuff Stuff" put a nice finishing shine, sealed in and out moisture at appropriate levels and allowed the hoof to breathe not sealed shut the pores like many additives do...it is what farriers use when done shoeing the horse. Painted on the sole and the hoof outer wall itself.
If you show it is the added ring gloss that doesn't attract dirt and lasts for a few days without needing re-applying.
I personally use Rainmaker to add moisture to our horses feet down here during summer. The blistering heat in the sand just evaporates out the moisture content...applied 2x a week though is all I need. My pasture is high & dry, no standing water but we do get daily rain so some moisture is naturally provided.
I also use Thrush Buster as a preventative. It doesn't hurt the good tissues like so many other products do. {I would like to try Apple Cider Vinegar but am not into enough new hoof to take the chance of bacteria invade the hoof...soon, very soon though my farrier said.}
This horse was a neglect case and had the beginnings of separation, not quite white line. So we treat pro-actively while the hoof is still growing down and healing...looks like 1 or 2 more trims and we will have good hoof with new growth near to the "cut-off line"... this horse had numerous abscess blow through his hoof wall and sole, terrible splits vertical & horizontal....and angles that I am amazed he didn't blow a tendon or split from stress.
As for supplements... it is true good hoof growth does come from within and from good foods fed.
It can be helped along though by feeding additional in proper amounts of "building blocks" amounts.
I have used the Farriers Formula before it was reformulated, since then...not fed it.
I have watched Grand Hoof with MSM fed.
I have fed Source in all the different formulas...
I have also fed Jello powder and powdered milk to a horse who had the worst feet I have ever seen. The farrier performed a work of art to keep shoes on and the animal sound for the owner...draft cross who was very forehand heavy as a understatement. I can tell you this owrked but his feed tub needed scrubbing every other day or you wanted to vomit from the smell of rancid milk in his stall...it was disgusting, but the horse loved his "supplement" and ate every bit of it...ick! It made a mess though if he snorted while eating...the walls were covered...in which case his owner had the pleasure of wall-scrubbing to get it off...not my job I told her and I meant it. She cleaned or I didn't do the stall it could stink so bad, nor would I subject my barn to that reek!
I believe there were good results from all the ones I listed above.
I have also fed some that were junk, nothing that I could see that would make me spend $ for extra growth or better hoof structure....those though could be from the owners care of their horse, not the products fault...so no names on that from me.
Just remember it isn't Biotin by itself that needs extra amounts....it needs to be a well-rounded recipe of "building blocks" that work together to give best results...some homework for you to discover what and how to know what your particular horse needs...best though is ask your farrier what you should get. The talented and good farriers know what will work with your particular horses feet based on their individual needs.
**remember I managed, fed and mucked stalls as a groom, stable-hand and barn manager for many years. So I did have access to many products over that period of time. These WERE NOT my horses, but boarders horses.**
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Oct 9, 2014 22:01:41 GMT
We've never used an oral but have put used motor oil on them as suggested by our farrier. The dirt in the oil keeps it on and the additives are long broken down by the time you get it. Nothing is cheaper.
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 9, 2014 22:11:13 GMT
Apollo I was writing my book while you posted.
I bet you anything that it is the angle of those poorly maintained feet that is giving you grief.
Go slow and let the farrier do his changes a little at a time so you not overly stress the "hidden" legs and foot of the horse unnecessarily.
My horse was a OTTB {my last one} he had the suckiest feet.
Once my farrier started working his magic, it took some time, the horse had great feet.
No cracks, no chips, held shoes and was sound, sound, sound.....
Have a feeling you are facing much the same situation.... ask the farrier for his professional opinion.
jmo...
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 9, 2014 22:14:19 GMT
We've never used an oral but have put used motor oil on them as suggested by our farrier. The dirt in the oil keeps it on and the additives are long broken down by the time you get it. Nothing is cheaper.
Today I would not and could not use oil with our water table being so close to the surface. Even the small amount used, if spilt accidentally...it could be disastrous.
I could be poisoning my own drinking water as I have a well.... 
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Oct 9, 2014 22:15:44 GMT
We just paint it on with a cheap paint brush. I'd be shocked if here was enough to get into the water.
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Post by diamondgirl on Oct 10, 2014 2:36:33 GMT
I was flooding the area around the water tank, but my farrier told me to stop. He has the belief that hooves are hooves, and horses adapt to the conditions they are faced with. Some horses have great hoof conformation, and others don't. I tend to panic at every little chip. The horses aren't acting lame, but I text him a picture anyway. He is always telling me not to worry. Anyway his advise is not to try topical treatments, because the horses hoof grows, from the general health of the horse. Just like human fingernails, some people have strong nails, while others have weaker ones. A healthy diet will keep all of our bodies working optimally, but a healthy diet can not trump genetics.
Like, my hair is fine, but my nails are strong. Expensive shampoos can't fix my hair, and make each hair shaft thicker or stronger. I also don't need strengthening nail polish. We are born with what we are born with. It is genetics.
I guess what I am trying to say is, a good diet, and a good farrier, is the key to good hooves. JMHO  |
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Post by lorddaxter on Oct 10, 2014 12:59:06 GMT
Farriers formula and cornucrescine are my favourites and a german ointment in an orange container that I forget the name of!
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 10, 2014 13:24:53 GMT
LD.....
Is that the original Hooflex???
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2014 14:15:07 GMT
I agree that genetics and his current hoof structure are a huge part of his current issues; but Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was a good hoof! I will try and get pictures of his feet, there is one crack I am concerned about, at the moment it appears to be superficial, but I am not a hoof expert. Will be cutting down on how often I paint his hooves, maybe 3 times a week will probably be ok for now, and then down to 2 (or none) come winter depending on how his feet are progressing. The motor oil thing is interesting! I have never heard of that. After its run through a motor I assume? I am not that mechanically inclined. Will also be looking into all the supplements suggested. |
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nhg
Junior Member
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Post by nhg on Oct 10, 2014 14:41:04 GMT
Yes, just used oil from a car engine. If you know someone that changes their own oil ask them for it. We put it in an old paint can. The dirt in it seems to make it not flow off as quickly. But some people get all concerned that it has chemicals in it. Have they ever checked out the pine tar hoof topicals? Ew!
My horse has always had great feet, I'm very lucky. We moved to a place where it was much drier than where we lived before and do now and his hooves actually contracted and were smaller than they used to be. Also they were more brittle. We let the water overflow too, DG, at our farrier's suggestion. Once we moved back here his feet went back to normal. |
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Post by diamondgirl on Oct 10, 2014 16:02:42 GMT
I guess different farriers suggest different things. Actually, I still run the water tank over, nearly every day, because I enjoy watching the birds bathe in it. It doesn't flood all the way around the tank so the horses have a choice to walk in it or around it. Chief, loves to step in the puddle, but Diamond and Stormy, not so much.
I do have 3, 1 gallon zip lock bags, of used motor oil, from the lawn mower. I did finally find a place that would take the oil, and recycle it, but I forgot to take it with me the last time I got the oil changed in the car. I wish I could mail you a bag, Apollo. I don't imagine it is legal though. |
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Post by horselady on Oct 11, 2014 0:30:16 GMT
All good advice on here and the fact of the used motor oil i what i have been told by so many people. . i have also used vaseline just goop it on all over the hoof and let the horse go into the dry or wet. the hoof dressing plus his diet should be all he needs. plus of course proper trimming.
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Post by Shelly on Nov 1, 2014 23:15:32 GMT
From what I understand it takes 8-12 months for you to see a result with a biotin supplement and they should receive 15-20mg daily to receive the full therapeutic effect (keep in mind foods that already contain biotin in them such as alfalfa, oats & barley).
as for putting oil/hoof dressing... I'm going to contradict myself a little.
When I was working at a polo/thoroughbred farm the old farm hand (I swear he taught me a lot!) swore by a pine tar/fish oil combination. He swore by it and every horse on that farm had immaculate feet. The yearlings who had poor feet where given farrier's formula as a supplement on top of it.
Ok now this is the contradicting part.
My current farrier believes that oil actually does more harm to your horse's feet then good. He stated that it inhibits the natural absorption of moisture through the hoof. He also stated that the best thing you can do for your horses feed is to over flow the water through so they have to step in the mud while they are drinking (kinda like taking a foot mud bath). And to treat thrush accordingly. I personally put coper care under my horses feet after they are freshly trimmed.
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