gelatin 4 hooves

[12jackie]

Hi, I have a quarter horse mare, her feet r in a bad way and very weak, I was told to put gelatin in her feed, that it promotes stong regrowth. Ive never heard of this b4 and wanted to get some feedback.
Can any one help

[Meaky1991]

Try Supplements in her feed first. You can use stuff as simple as dolomite for 2 weeks and then copper sulfate alongside it after that. Working from the inside out will be best for the horse. Try iodine on the hooves, once daily for a few weeks, with a good brand hoof oil over the top. Normally my horses, being in such a bad area, hoof problems are very common. I also have thoroughbreds so there feet can be very weak. In there feeds I supplement with Dolomite, Garlic Granules, seaweed meal, and copper sulfate...Over time your horses should correct themselves. Although this is a daily routine, until it comes under control. Cleaning the feet out regularly is another good thing, prevents seedy toe and other common hoof problems. Another good idea would be to keep him/her off rocks or hard ground. Away from wet area's and if it still occurs, getting a farrier to shoe your horse. Some people may disagree with this, but you are better off keeping the hoof covered then have it chip away to nothing. There also herbs and things that are healthier then chemicals and they can promote growth aswel as strengthening the stomach to prevent this from happening again later on.

[HorseHandler]

......found that Biotin, (neat Biotin, not mixed) to be the best treatment for hooves with issues. Expensive stuff, but well worth it. You put it in their feed, but don't expect results for at least 3 months.......

[loosie]

Yes, gelatine, along with biotin, copper, calcium & magnesium(dolomite), etc is good for hooves. I prefer to use a *good* complete supplement rather than adding individual minerals, as it's easier for one, but also the above are examples of but a few necessary nutrients, and it's also important they're well balanced with eachother.

It could also be diet rather than just nutrition that is the problem. How/what is she fed? Could also be due to her management/lifestyle/hoofcare.

I disagree with putting oil, iodine & other topicals on hooves generally. Regular exposure to water tends to be the best 'topical' IMO.

[RedRider]

Every time I hear hoofcare people talk they seem to have great knowledge about nutrition also its seems that area of expertise is at leat two teired, hoofcare and nutrition..go hand in hand to some degree at least?

[12jackie]

I am feeding her weightlifter (rice bran, barley, soyabean meal, sunflower seeds and mixed chaff) with equlibrium, dampened and hay. I am keeping her feet short with the farrier comming every 4 to 5 weeks and she is in a dry yard so she has a good hoof oil on once a week

[loosie]

Originally Posted by RedRider

Every time I hear hoofcare people talk they seem to have great knowledge about nutrition also its seems that area of expertise is at leat two teired, hoofcare and nutrition..go hand in hand to some degree at least?

Aha! Well spotted. Not that I'm an expert on it, by a long shot - I subscribe to a diet analysis program/service & have a nutritionist to pick their brains.

It's many tiered, not just 2. It really is a holistic subject. Diet & nutrition are so important for healthy hooves & generally a big issue in hoof problems. However, exercise, management, quality & frequency of trimming, hoof protection & treatment of infection.... are other just as vital factors in creating sound hooves. As you can see, therefore most of it comes down to the owner, rather than the farrier &/or shoes getting the blame for whatever goes wrong. So it's vital for horse owners to get themselves educated, not just rely on the 'experts' we may choose.