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Post by cardicorgi on Sept 30, 2009 11:49:38 GMT -5
While my gelding occasionally loses a shoe still, his feet have definitely improved with: great quality hay; Trifecta (made by Horse Guard) - here's a link to their guaranteed analysis: www.horseguard.com/pdfs/tri-ga.pdf; and then we use a topical product called Bear Cat - we apply it (and kind of massage it in) only to the coronet band. The theory is that when the stuff is rubbed into the coronet band it encourages blood flow to the area, which in turn will produce better quality horn. I don't know if it's objectively true or not but anecdotally I can state that my horse loses fewer shoes than he did (he wears Bell boots 24/7).
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Post by luvredponies on Oct 16, 2009 21:45:20 GMT -5
You may have to start at ground zero with this horse. Sound nutrition should grow a good hoof. Wild horses don't get a bunch of extra stuff and they have great feet, which would suggest that any horse receiving a quality forage and plenty of exercise/turnout should be able to do the same. Instead of throwing a bunch of money at the problem, which is what feeding supplements is in many cases, you may want to reevaluate what she is getting and why, and rework her feeding regime.
I bougt an older mare with awful feet - they were overgrown, with shoes still on (although just barely) and several abcesses. Her walls and her soles were really thin, and the hoof flared out from the coronet band, and she was walking on her toes. Her shoes are off and she is on a 6 week trim schedule. She receives twice daily feedings of an alfalfa/grass mix hay, and is turned out 24/7 to increase blood flow to her feet. She is lightly ridden with hoof boots, to allow her feet to work as nature intended. She has had two trims and we are already seeing a big difference in hoof growth and her stride. It does not happen overnight and supplements probably won't make the foot grow any faster (like you hair or finger nails).
This mare was also pretty underweight when I bought her, and just the small amount of hay she is getting each day has rounded her out and put a gloss to her coat and a twinkle in her eye. Could also be the access to running room, or her companion, but it is working for her and she is nearly 19.
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