Hoof Suppliment Suggestions

I recently took on have a 12 yo TB/WB cross from a rescue organization. She's barefoot, and I'd like to keep her that way as we aren't doing anything on rough ground. Her hoofs weren't kept too well - odd shapes (all 4 are different), long toes, no heels, and cracking all around. The cracks aren't too bad, but I know the hoof wall is not very healthy. Aside from regular trimming to gradually reshape her hoofs (and let her heel grow a bit), any suggestions for suppliments to help her grow healthier hoofs fast? Thanks in advance for your advice!

I have tried a number of products but can highly recommend Hoof Check from the natural vet. All of the products are non toxic which is good for both you and your horse. Check them out at Online Store

I've had great luck with Source Focus HF. It has high levels of amino acids, biotin, and iodine, which seems to help thrushy horses. It also has some naturally occurring probiotics, which help with overall health & digestion. My horses hooves have grown a lot faster and the hoof that's comming in is shiney and "tight".

Thank you for the advice! The owner of the barn recommended "Nu-Hoof." Does anyone have any feedback on it?

I haven't had much luck with hoof supplements. You could try them if you like, but I would also suggest trying some hoof conditioner/ dressing. I have had much better results with these. I personally like Farnam Horseshoers Secret Hoof Conditioner.

I Thank each of you for your advice. I've put her on Hoof Check thanks to RocknRoll's suggestion. It's too early to tell if it's working. In regards to Gizpeptig's comment about hoof dressing; I have been putting hoofmaker around her cornet to prevent cracks developing in her new growth, but everything I've read indicates dressings are only preventative and the health And rate of new growth can only be influenced by diet. Have you found a dressing that can help an already damaged hoof or the rate of growth? I'd be very interested it a conditioner or dressing I can apply in addition to her suppliment to further speed along her growth. The sooner she can grow out her yucky hoof the better!
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Any supplement you give will need to be long term. It will only work on new growth, not what is already there. Only saying that as I know alot of people think they can use it for a month and that's it, all fixed. Applying an oil at the same time will help condition current hoof wall. While you wait for the new hoof to grow out. =)

Yes, health feet do come from a good diet. Hoof dressing can help the outer hoof look better, especially in very hot, dry weather, but that is mainly for cosmetic purposes. You really can't rush hoof growth...it takes about a year for the hoof to fully grow out. More frequent trimmings is about the most effective method I've seen to getting hooves back in shape....or if you can get your farrier to show you how to clean them up/roll them over with a rasp in between trims, that's just as good.

What is her total diet now???

Hi,

Have you done some study into hoof anatomy, function, health factors? If not, I'd suggest hoofrehab.com as a good start.

Low sugar/starch diet is a huge one. No grain or molasses. While horse's diets are generally lacking in a range of nutrients, it depends what they're getting as to what they may be lacking. I suggest doing at least a basic diet analysis(FeedXL.com is a great service) before choosing supps. A good complete supp is often better than a hoof-specific one.

Hooves do need to be fed from the inside and I agree with the person that said hoof conditioners are basically just cosmetic. They may make the hooves look prettier, but putting goop on the outside does nothing much for the health of them. Also if it's oil based goop, hooves are meant to 'breathe' so this can cause them to dry out more - despite how they may look when oiled.

Growth not only depends on diet, but on the state the hooves are in - eg if they're laminitic, they may grow slower or quicker than normal. If they are contracted/constricted, they will grow slower. Generally speaking, miles are a more accurate measurement for hoof growth than time, as the more exercise(assuming good hoof function), the quicker they grow. I've heard of bare endurance horses who grow their feet out in 4-5 months.

Regarding regular trimming & letting her heels grow a bit, of course without pictures & more info(which you can post for more specific advice), I don't know for sure, but what I find this generally means is that the horse has either got *nice* short heels(they're meant to be short), or, especially when combined with long toes, the horse has in fact got quite long heel walls, but they've been crushed under and the horse is walking on what should be the vertical part of them, so has no heel *height*. Generally keeping the toes backed up and quarters short, along with preventing the heels getting longer tend to help the heels become upright again, and they can gradually be lowered to a good height.