How can
I improve his hooves?
Q: When I bought my first horse a welsh cob section D had full-length
sandcracks right and left hind hoofs.

Our problem
is that he has flat soles and big frogs. So when he stands without
his shoes he stands on his frogs. My farrier says that is uncomfortable
for him. I s there anything I can give him to make his outer horn
grow better and more quickly?
A:
Sandcracks are the type of injury that start at the top of the hoof
and work downwards. They can have been caused by damage to the top
of the hoof from where the horn has been produced.
Alternatively
incorrect trimming of the feet may cause them or poor conformation
from birth such as you describes: low heels and long toes. I suggest
that the cracks have appeared over time because of the way that
his legs are made. The most important steps to take are to get your
farrier to change the angel of the hoof gradually so that less pressure
is put on the frogs. If this works it will take up to two years
to make a difference.
As far as
supplements go, use products that contain biotin, methionine and
/or MSM. One extra plant that I find helpful and that I have mentioned
before in letters is Cissus Quadrangularis and we have found Rather like herbs
like comfrey or knitbone, this cactus like plant improves the way
that calcium and other minerals are transferred form the intestines
to the cells in the hoof and bone that need them. It also contains
natural biotin.
There are a
great variety of different hoof products on the market, which makes
life for people like yourself quite confusing, but a combination
of the above plants and chemicals is the best solution, together
with a good mineral formula.
You will need to use feed supplements for at least a year to see
a marked improvement.
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