Supplements for hoof growth/quality?

Question

My TBx has terrible feet and is under the care of the farrier and vet. Has anyone got any siccess sotries about feeding any supplement in particular to improve hoof growth? Or any topical applications? Thanks

Answer 1

ok, last year I rescued a tb who's feet were atrocious when we got him. The farier expected it to take at least a year to get his feet right (we put him barefoot as shoes just made his feet split). He went onto biotin suppliment. This makes the hoof grow really fast. It's exactly the same stuff thats in the expensive suppliments like 'Farier's Formula' but is a lot cheaper and works just as well. The other thing to do is go and get a tub of 'Cornucrescine' - the really thick one, not the hoof dressing (although a general hoof dressing is available by these guys and it really helps the hoof that is already there - the general one is really good and keeps a good moisture level in the hoof). The thick cornucrescine should be rubbed into the coronary band twice a day. Again this stimulates fast, healthy hoof growth.

After two months on this routine you wouldn't have known that my tb had had bad feet, he still had long toes but had no cracks and healthy hoof that grows well.

We also feed biotin to our cob, who although his feet are very hard they just don't really grow which causes problems. On the biotin his feet grow enough to stop problems. We also give it to our 2 year old tb who has really nice feet - we plan to keep it that way.

Basically put your horse onto biotin and keep him on it for ever, generally I would reccommend for pretty much any horse but the one who's feet grow so fast that they need reshod every 4 weeks. You should also use the cornucrescine for about 6 months until the hoof has completly regrown as it is excellent for stimulating healthy hoof - after all there is no point in growing lots of hoof if it's not healthy. After that you can generally stop, but keep a close eye on the feet and if they show any signs of needing it use right away.

The general hoof dressing they do is a reasonably thick black dressing which keeps the hoof really nice and moist without soaking it, you should use this on the hoof wall and sole instead of oil as it stays on a lot longer and just works much better. We had a really dry spell a couple of months ago and the field our horses are in can get very dry and rough and all three horses started having their feet dry out and crack round the bottom and this stuff had them sorted within a week or so while other people at our yard with a similar problem used hoof oil and had problems a lot longer.

The best thing is to mix the cornucrescine on the coronary band and the biotin and you will have a horse with completly different feet within a few months.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I give my TB Equihoof from Vetvits, I had his shoes removed around 8 months ago as i wanted to try him barefoot. So far his feet have been great, i use Keratex hoof hardener as well.

You can get Vetvits on line, they come from Guernsey, so they're tax free and they normally have great offers like buy 2 get one free.

I think it's probably going to be trial and eror to see what works for you, good luck.

Answer 3

Farriers Formula and sunflower seeds work wonders on my saddlebred, he used to have no growth and now his feet are getting way healthier

Answer 4

We tried Biotin with ours and had no success at all. I switched to Farrier's Formula and the difference was amazing. Hopefully we won't get in that predicament again but if we do I'll go straight back to that as I know it works.

Edit> I buy the big tubs and I buy them online and get them delivered - it still worked out cheaper than buying it locally (strange but true)

Answer 5

Biotin will help in both instances...it will improve the hoof growth and quality.  I can't remember right now, but there was something that, years and years ago, we applied like 3-4 days in a row, then off for the same amount of time and it greatly expedited hoof growth.  I will definitely return to the answer board when I remember what it was...it wasn't really a blister type stuff, but you did apply it with a toothbrush at the hair line and just above.