Maintaining the condition of the hoof is vital for the performance and functioning of your horse particularly when the ground conditions are hard. It's important to keep in mind the impact of concussive forces when hydrating a horse's hoof. Even simply landing after a jump can result in a force that's more than twice the weight of the individual on the load-bearing landing limbs.
Care for hoof health
It's important to note that a horse's hoof wall is composed of a tough keratin layer, just like our hair and nails. This layer is a vital protective barrier for the rest of the hoof, including the sole, frog, and coronary band. Moreover, the hoof wall plays a critical role in evenly distributing the horse's weight, which is essential for preventing lameness.
- Maintain a regular trimming and shoeing routine with a qualified farrier. The regularity of trimming will vary depending on the horse's activity level and the environment they are living in.
- Keep your horse's hooves clean and dry. Moisturise the hoof using a quality hoof dressing or solution.
- Provide your horse with a balanced diet that includes adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals that are essential for hoof health.
- Keep an eye on your horse's hooves for any signs of potential problems, such as cracks, chips, or lameness. If you notice any problems, speak to a vet or farrier to address the problem.
Read more: A guide to using herbs for hoof health
Hoof Support with PROFEET
NAF Farrier Dressing and Farrier Solution ensure that the hoof can breathe. Oils and greases can often suffocate the hoof, so it is necessary to use a permeable dressing with natural keratin components.
The applications offer protection from environmental menaces such as anaerobic bacteria and waterborne threats. These potential problems can infiltrate the gaps in the horn created through the constant changes in the moisture content. Being permeable means that it will be able to directly support and nourish the keratin structure and maintain health hooves.
Read More: Why is Sulphur important for hoof health?
Supporting the joints
When the ground conditions are hard and the hoof is under greater pressure, your horse's joints can also suffer. To reduce the risk of your horse's joints suffering from the heavy impact of the hard ground a combination of ingredients in their feed would better suit a horse when addressing matters such as wear and tear, synovial strength, toxin activity, and providing nourishment for the soft tissue.
- Antioxidants for flushing out the free radicals
- MSM for Care and Repair
- OMEGA-3 fatty acids for additional care for the ageing joint
- HA for Synovial fluid support
NAF Five Star Superflex will aid all joints undergoing the natural wear and tear process, it is wise to support all individuals to help them enjoy their performance for longer and supply them with flexibility for life, particularly when conditions are hard.
Applying hoof care such as NAF Farrier Dressing and Farrier Solution should be part of your horse’s daily hoof care routine to tackle these problems.
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