I know I said I would "shut up and ride", but I felt I would be remiss if I didn't finish the BF-hoof topic, since trim mechanics and adequate movement are only two ingredients in the recipe of sustaining healthy hooves.
From Pete Ramey's 7/30/08 article, www.hoofrehab.com/diet He says, "So far, every time I have had troubles growing healthy feet and have
tested the forage, I have found significant mineral ratio problems
and/or deficiency ~ every time. The nutrition balance may be all or
part of your horses' problem."
He mentions sugar levels in grasses and hay, and realized that constant carbohydrate overload was destroying the hooves of many horses. Refers reader to Katy Watts site ~ www.safergrass.org Some things he quotes from Eleanor Kellon, VMD, www.drkellon.com
Lack of sufficient Copper and Zinc leading to abnormalities in bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and arterial walls. Toxic levels of Iron~ None should be listed in supplements. High iron levels drive insulin resistance and visa versa, also canels the absorption of copper and zinc, also increases risk of tendon/ligament problems. Calcium/Phosphorus balance should be 2:1 ratio ~Too much phosphorus robs calcium, causing bone loss. Too much calcium makes magnesium less available, resulting in base-wide gait behind, or misdiagnosis of EPSM, among other things. Viatamin E and essential fatty acidsmust be supplemented if horse not in pasture, because they are eliminated in hay-drying process Saltis ideally provided in loose form.
He tells you how to test to make sure your horses have the right balance of forage and supplements. Then he tells you what to do with theresults, so that you can design custom supplement plan and order each ingredient separately for maximum cost savings. Sources: Local mills that actually mix their own feed, or general livestock supply stores Uckele Health and Nutrition ~ www.uckele.com, 800-248-0330 Gateway Products ~ www.buygpdirect.com Horse Tech ~ www.horsetech.com
He highly recommends Dr. Kellons's basic online course "NRC Plus" because it "will teach you the relationships, roles and importance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, electrolytes, how the horse uses food and the basics of what makes it tick. The course demystifies the feed labels, forage analysis and teaches you hot to really provide for your horse's needs."
Terry "May the Horse be with you"
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