While some horses float over specially prepared arena footing day after day, your trail horse carries you over hill, dale, rock, and stream. And what carries him over such rugged terrain? His hooves.
As a concerned horse owner, you're wise to keep a close eye on your trail horse's hooves. But when you spot a hoof problem, don't assume the trouble lies just in the hoof and immediately reach for an over-the-counter supplement. What you see could be indicative of another, deeper problem.
Just as your skin and hair says a lot about your general health, your horse's skin, haircoat, mane, tail, and hooves give you clues on how he's functioning inside. They're like border crossings, where internal functions meet the outside environment.
The hoof capsule, the hoof's outer portion, is part of your horse's integument system, his outer covering. That tough hoof wall is really just an adaptation of skin, much as your fingernails relate to your skin. The blood supply that serves your horse's skin and coat also sends nutrients to his outer hoof.
Therefore, your approach to fixing the problem needs to be well thought out, and done so in conjunction with your veterinarian. (For how to recognize factors that can influence your horse's hoof health, see "Plan of Action" on page 49.)
Ask your farrier if he or she has seen similar hoof problems in your area, and what the outcome has been.
Also work with your veterinarian to make sure that your horse's digestive system is working properly, he's parasite free, you're feeding good-quality hay, and he's getting enough water. No supplement can make up for substandard forage. You'll waste a lot of money if your unabsorbed scoopful of feed supplement is excreted in runny manure.
Topical Tips
If your horse has a hoof condition, a simple dressing that coats, rather than soaks, the hoof wall can help. (An example is Right Step Hoof Dressing.) But stay away from petroleum-based products if you see hoof cracks and chipped walls. Hoof walls are many layers thick, but he may have a superficial condition that has nothing to do with nutrition.
Hoof antiseptics are mild antifungal agents that can help overcome surface fungus. You can spray it on the sole, frog, and wall, particularly if you're experiencing damp weather or your horse is turned out in mud.
Give it Time
If your veterinarian or farrier agrees that hoof supplements will likely help your horse's hooves, it's important to understand how such supplements work.
First, supplements don't "fix" the hoof. There's no way to fix a poor-quality hoof wall - your horse has to grow a new one. This growth takes two things: stimulus and time.
Hoof supplements may help provide that stimulus, but then be patient. Once you put your horse on a supplement program, you must give it time to work.
Many impatient horse owners begin a supplementation program then abandon it, leaving a half-full bucket or bag in the feed room.
Get smart. Purchase at least a 60-day supply of your chosen supplement, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. When you reorder, order the same supplement, and continue to follow the dosing instructions.
Keep in mind that it might take four to six months to see the results of a good hoof supplement. Your farrier might notice that the hoof wall isn't as spongy in the nippers as it was during the previous trim. He or she might notice that the wall is getting stronger or that the white line looks tighter.
Then your farrier will gradually rasp and nip away the old crumbly wall and sole. When healthy new wall is in the jaws of those nippers, it feels like hitting pay dirt.
