Question
Fletcher is my 16-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. He’s in moderate body condition with a weight of 1,250 lb (570 kg), so no change is necessary on that front. He’s allowed turnout for six hours each day. He consumes some pasture grass, but he always has access to alfalfa and grass hay when stalled. He eats four quarts of pelleted senior feed daily, divided into two meals, and some supplements (biotin, electrolytes, jiaogulan). As a well-used roping horse, he has his fair share of physical problems, including exercise intolerance, atrophied musculature, and general stiffness that I attribute to degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD). His hooves show some problems, including low heels and thin soles. Fletcher is often sorer when the farrier leaves than when he arrives, which is disconcerting. To boot, he’s an inveterate cribber. What else can I do for him?
Answer
One drawback of feeding a concentrate at lower than recommended rates is that key vitamins and minerals are not supplied at optimal levels. Given Fletcher’s size, feeding less than 4 lb (1.8 kg) of the senior feed per day may be detrimental to his overall health.
To ensure there are no nutrient gaps, it is important to weigh the feed you are offering so an appropriate diet can be created for Fletcher. A ration balancer, which will ensure his vitamin and mineral requirements are met, may be the best option for Fletcher as a base feed, and then other feeds can be used for weight maintenance. The ration balancer will also supply the appropriate amount of protein for Fletcher, which could help with muscle health.
The first step to improving hoof health from a dietary standpoint is to make sure the entire diet is complete and balanced. Adding a hoof supplement to a balanced diet is the most effective way to target hoof growth and improve the quality of that growth. Furthermore, management and environment are key factors in optimizing hoof health, as is regular, professional farrier care. Be sure to share your concerns about the gelding’s after-trim soreness with your farrier.
A well-rounded hoof supplement contains more than just biotin. Consider Bio-Bloom PS (Bio-Bloom HF in Australia) for Fletcher, as it features a medley of hoof-building nutrients, including methionine, zinc, and iodine.
Horses diagnosed with degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) develop inelastic suspensory ligaments that fail to properly support the fetlock joint. The rear pasterns of affected horses drop over time, eventually becoming nearly parallel with the ground when bearing weight. For many horses, DSLD is a painful condition, especially as the disease progresses, so veterinary advice should be sought now for a definitive diagnosis of DSLD.
Another supplement you may consider for Fletcher is ReSolvin EQ, as it provides both gastric and joint health support. ReSolvin EQ is a blend of long-chain omega fatty acids that provides potent anti-inflammatory properties and improves gastric health in performance horses. In addition to promoting overall health and wellness, this may help with cribbing when given as a daily maintenance supplement.
