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Post by 5874julie on Dec 17, 2014 16:46:08 GMT
has anybody had any success with supplements for improving poor hoof quality? have just finished a tub of Biotin and wondered whether to stick with it or if there is something better.
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Post by brindlerainbow on Dec 17, 2014 17:58:55 GMT
Was there any noticeable difference after using biotin ? I was thinking of trying it as my 3 yr old got a very deep abscess and had to have a chunk cut out of her foot to let the pus drain. Now sound and all ok but she must have trodden on a rock or something the other day and has broken a piece off where she had the chunk cut so now has a sizeable bit of hoof missing!!!
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Dec 17, 2014 19:35:52 GMT
Biotin is an essential for good hoof growth - but not the only one. A balanced supplement designed for growing healthy hoof horn is much more likely to give a good result. I can't suggest any individual ones as I've never had the need to feed anything but a general balancer.
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kirky
Full Member
Posts: 238
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Post by kirky on Dec 18, 2014 10:05:52 GMT
I've used biotin and other hoof supplements for years, however last year I changed him on to Top Spec Lite Balancer, taken him off hoof supplements and he's got the best horn growth ever. OK my boy is a good doer but if you look into Top Spec the different balancers tell you whether they do or do not support hoof growth. Oh and it's a darn sight cheaper doing it this way.
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Post by 5874julie on Dec 18, 2014 22:44:28 GMT
Was there any noticeable difference after using biotin ? I was thinking of trying it as my 3 yr old got a very deep abscess and had to have a chunk cut out of her foot to let the pus drain. Now sound and all ok but she must have trodden on a rock or something the other day and has broken a piece off where she had the chunk cut so now has a sizeable bit of hoof missing!!! my pony had taken a couple of chunks out of his off fore and it was proving a problem keeping a shoe on. I took his shoes off about 6 weeks ago and have given him a break and used the biotin plus a paint on hoof ointment in the hope that the hoof would improve but although he is very well fed, there has been hardly any growth. I think he damages that foot because it's the one he uses to kick the side of the lorry if left alone so I am avoiding any stressful situations and just pray it will improve as it is a bit of a worry. i will look at the top spec balancers - funnily enough i have just put another pony onto their 'cool' one and i think it has made a real difference.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Dec 19, 2014 9:12:42 GMT
Any improvement in hoof horn will have to grow down from the top, taking about a year to reach ground level so it's not a quick fix, but if something is helping the new strong horn should be able to be seen within a few weeks. Nothing can alter the existing horn, although there are paint on treatments that may help to harden it in the short term
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Post by welshshowcobs on Dec 19, 2014 16:41:44 GMT
Equmins hoof mender! Recommended by the vet and now my laminitic is growing sole and great toe. It's amazing!
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Post by lucynlizzysmum on Dec 19, 2014 16:45:23 GMT
Happy farrier powder is excellent. To promote good hoof growth you also need zinc methionine , so you need tool ok at supplements with high levels of both biotin and zinc methionine
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kirky
Full Member
Posts: 238
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Post by kirky on Dec 20, 2014 10:48:12 GMT
Forgot to mention, in addition to Top Spec Lite Balancer I have also, religiously, been using Kevin Bacon's hoof oil which too has made a huge difference. Stops the hooves drying out and getting too wet. A lot of farriers recommend this so must be good.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Dec 20, 2014 10:54:15 GMT
Mine recommends using no hoof dressings on the grounds that they upset the normal moisture exchange mechanism! The only exception would be to hose the hooves in VERY dry weather.
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Post by 5874julie on Dec 21, 2014 20:24:45 GMT
Any improvement in hoof horn will have to grow down from the top, taking about a year to reach ground level so it's not a quick fix, but if something is helping the new strong horn should be able to be seen within a few weeks. Nothing can alter the existing horn, although there are paint on treatments that may help to harden it in the short term i had just hoped there would have been enough growth for the missing chunks to have disappeared at the next trim and shoeing, which didn't happen. He is keeping his shoes on ok at the moment though.
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Post by lancslass on Dec 22, 2014 13:57:39 GMT
Forage Plus do hoof health balancers (one for Summer and one for Winter because of the changing of nutrients available at different times of the year). This imho is what I'd recommend...
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Post by poppyanderson on Dec 26, 2014 21:16:43 GMT
Equimins hoof mender is one of the best on the market, as is pro hoof.
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kareen
Junior Member
Posts: 90
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Post by kareen on Dec 27, 2014 17:53:06 GMT
It's essential to get a general idea of trace element and mineral metabolism. I'm working with hair analysis to find potential deficits (e.g. zinc, selenium, manganese and some other trace elements are essential for healthy horn-production) it's not just Biotine (Vit.H) that matters Supplement-wise there is a new product I've been working with for a few weeks made from mushrooms. It's available in the UK as well do a search for Mushroom matrix and have a look at their product called farrier. My first results have been excellent but it's too early for longterm statements just yet. Another consideration concerns the buffering, many horses suffer from alimentary acidosis and if that is the case a teaspoon full of baking soda is a very cheap and cheerful albeit successful cure. Also not much that can go wrong with that so I'd probably give it a try anyway.
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Post by auntiebarb on Dec 31, 2014 14:01:59 GMT
This time last year my apalloosa Gym was on three legs after suffering a repeat hoof abscess for over two years, he was in so much pain I almost had him PTS, I love him to bits but could not watch his pain any more. I rode him yesterday for hours, barefoot over bodmin moor, he was back to his buoyant old ways. I am so grateful to my bf trimmer Lindsay Setchell and THUNDERBROOK BASE MIX, organic chaff and ad lib hay. Must also mention that my old horse Scotch (shod in front only) was on top spec until his demise at 39.
Best of luck.
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