Horse Nutritional Supplements: Essential Ingredients For A Healthy And Active Horse

By Author: johanneequestrian
Total Articles: 5
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Hoof care is important in preventing health and performance issues with your equine partner. The health of the hooves of a horse can affect its ability to move, its ease, and even its happiness to a certain extent. For your horse's hooves to be in good condition, it's important to purchase the right products for the hooves. Here are the primary products that should be part of your horse catalog to maintain healthy hooves.

1. Hoof Cleaners and Washes

The first thing that should be done when caring for the horse hooves is cleaning them. The shoers aim at cleaning hoofs from the ground materials that may lead to infections or pose some health complications to the animals. These products are usually available in liquids and foams and are easy to apply using a brush or sponge. Cleaning of the hooves is therefore crucial as it reduces incidences of diseases such as thrush besides improving the general health of the hooves.

2. Hoof Conditioners and Moisturizers

Hoof conditioners and moisturizers, some of the commonly preferred hoof care products for horses, need to be used regularly to help keep the hooves ...
... flexible and crack-free. These products assist in redressing the moisture balance in hooves in the instance where there is dryness or hot conditions which lead to hardening of hooves. Using a hoof conditioner frequently can help to improve the elasticity of the hoof wall, as well as protect it from the damage that is caused by environmental factors.

3. Hoof Hardening Agents

When competing horses have soft or overly supple hooves, the use of hoof-hardening agents is quite helpful. Such horse nutritional supplements help in strengthening the walls of the hoof hence increasing its hardness. They are especially useful for those horses that operate in areas such as on rocks or sand. These types of preparations contain substances that could act as an impregnator such as formalin or iodine that are used to strengthen the hoof wall.

4. Therapeutic Hoof Products

You may need therapeutic hoof care products and horse nutritional supplements for horses to cater to their specific hooves' complications. This can be treatments for cases ranging from laminitis or founder for instance. Harvested from animals’ hooves these therapeutic products may include substances that possess anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial characters that enhance the healing process. Speaking to a vet is important as they will tell you which therapeutic product will suit your horse best.

5. Hoof Picks and Brushes

It is often suggested that a standard hoof pick is an ideal gift for an aspiring horse owner. It enables the cleaning of the whole hooves with a view of removing materials that may bring diseases or other problems to the animal. Also, hoof brushes may be effective to wash the bottom part of the feet and as a whole help in cleaning the hoof. These tools are easy to use but they go a long way in addressing issues that have to do with the hooves.

6. Protective Hoof Boots

However, hoof boots can be suitable for additional security and protection, if needed. The use of these boots is to protect the hooves from the abrasive ground and to give additional cushioning as well as support while in activities. Hoof boots are produced in a range of sizes and styles depending on the form and function of the hoof. They are especially suitable for use on horses with delicate soles or for those to be changed to new grounds.

Conclusion

It is always important that the hoof is checked and cared for properly to complement the health of a horse for work. To this end, there are hoof care products like hoof cleaners, conditioners, and supplements that if used appropriately the hooves of your horse will remain healthy hence comfortable. These products, along with proper trimming practices and shoeing, shall be used regularly to enhance general hoof health and avoid complications.

Nutritive and balanced horse nutritional supplements continue to have an added responsibility in caring for hooves from within. These products are meant to supply the necessary nutrients that help develop strong hooves. Some common ingredients may be biotin, methionine, and zinc, known to contribute to the growth and health of hooves. Hoof balancers and supplements are used periodically to correct nutritional imbalances that may result in poor hooves.

Summarizing, it is worth stating that hoof care is special and should comprise the use of specific products that should meet the individual needs of a horse. When it comes to horses, any type of grooming from bathing to treating hooves to routine cleaning and conditioning, applying good hoof care products for horses and horse supplements is a practical way of promoting the health of your horse for the long haul.