RE: Dry Hoof Walls

[Cynthia Eyler <eyler@mindspring.com>]

Kim,

Thanks for your response.

>So, your best bet is to use a biotin supplement, if you aren't already,
-- Yes, he's been on biotin (15 mg daily) for a year now, and his feet are
definitely better now.

>Second, get some good quality hoof oil, and
>massage it into the coronet daily. You can use your fingers, or an old
>toothbrush. This ensures the hoof oil is absorbed, and the massage will aid
>hoof growth as well.
-- any particular brands of 'good' hoof oil that you'd recommend?

Finally, make sure he has access to green feed, fresh
>if possible. If there is no green feed in the paddocks, or he is not turned
>out, let him hand graze it. Alternatively, add a vitamin A supplement to his
>feed for a while. Addition of vitamin A helps skin and hoof growth if there
>is a deficiency.
-- He's on very good pasture 23 hours per day (in his stall briefly twice
daily for grain and his biotin and selenium/vitamin E supplements).

Cindy Eyler