Next best thing to Farriers Formula???

[ravensgate]

Ok, after reading a buttload of threads on here, I came to the conclusion that many of you really suggest Farriers Formula as the Biotin Supplement of choice.

I have a couple of horses whose feet are chipping out bad. Keratex isn't doing much, and they've been on biotin for a long time (though, not Farrier's Formula).

I started giving it to my stallion a week and a half ago. The first day he went on a full scoop of it, I worked him later in the day, and he started having a weird episode. 5 minutes into the lunging session he started sucking in his mouth like his mouth was full of slobber (but not actually sloberring...just *sounded* like his mouth was full of slobber). I'd walk him and in about 5 minutes he'd stop and was drinking water and eating grass like nothing happened. This horse choked 6 months ago, so I thought maybe it was because the product is in pellet form and maybe he was having a mild choke episode even though he was worked an hour and a half after eating (and only eats 1lb of food with his supplement). So, I started soaking it. Well, today he did the same thing. Nothing in this guys feed or workout routine has changed EXCEPT the Farrier's Formula. I have talked to two vets and none have ever heard of such a thing happening. And they both say it sounds completely unrelated to choke.

So, I'm really at a loss, but scared this might turn into something serious. My stud never gets alfalfa so I thought maybe that was affecting him. But it doesn't happen every time we work. So, I'm at a loss. It might not even have a thing to do with the FF, but like I said, that's the only thing that's changed in his daily routine.

My question is, is there another biotin that you all would recommend to get some good healthy growth on this horse? I have some Horseshoer's Secret Concentrate that I have a mare on, and was thinking of switching him to that, since the amount given is so much less than of Farriers Formula (2 oz. on the concentrate vs. 6 oz. of FF). I just need some advice on what you all would recommend. Thanks in advance.

[ravensgate]

Are you sure your horses feet don't just need a trim? Asking a biotin product to get the feet to stop chipping is asking a lot. And depending on the environment keratex may be helping the chipping by over drying the hooves.


The horse just got trimmed 3 weeks ago, so no. And I had thought that the Keratex might be drying them out. But then again, I thought it's used to STOP chips and cracks??? We haven't had rain in almost a month so it's very dry here.

And I don't want to get Biotin to get their feet to stop chipping (I never heard of that myself). I want to grow in new healthy horn since apparently what I am dealing with now is brittle.

But I've also heard hoof oils don't work either. It always seems that you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. Color me confused.


All of the horses feet that have been chipping are horses that have been on oats with no vitamin supplement except for biotin. I have two young horses on Omolene and no Biotin supplementation and they don't have a problem with their feet and never have (they are 3 year olds). As of tomorrow I will be gradually switching the 4 horses who have been on oats over to a product called Stam 30. It's a vitamin supplement that can be used in place of grain. I needed something to not add to their weight as they are a little overweight but to where they would get the nutrition/vitamins they need. Since these 4 horses feet are deteriorating and they all eat the same thing, I can only point the finger at that. I have never, ever had a problem like this up until the last 6 months.

[ravensgate]

I agree with the dry and overweight part, but like I said, I have two 3 year olds that are a bit chubby whose feet are doing perfect but they are getting fortified feed. And 2 of the 4 (with bad hooves) are not overweight, but they can get that way quick if I don't watch their feed. So, again, the ONLY thing in common with these 4 horses is the diet. These horses were much fatter in past years and never had an issue. They have only been on the oats diet for two years. I'm just trying to do my best in thinking about what has changed in their lives and their diet since this has become an issue.


And yes, I have heard oil does worse than it does good so I stopped oiling.

The feet were rounded off and beautiful and were still chipping. It took them longer to chip when they were rounded off nicely, but only 2-3 weeks after a trim and they already are chipping? My horses feet don't grow that fast.

I have accessed every other area I need to. All I really want to know is if there is a product comparible with Farriers Formula, that less can be fed of? I have heard Glanzen does a good job but just want more advice on supplementation.

All of the past info I have gotten has been straight off this forum, hence the Keratex and Farriers Formula being introduced into my routine.

[Kevin L. Wyatt]

All of the horses feet that have been chipping are horses that have been on oats with no vitamin supplement except for biotin. I have two young horses on Omolene and no Biotin supplementation and they don't have a problem with their feet and never have (they are 3 year olds). As of tomorrow I will be gradually switching the 4 horses who have been on oats over to a product called Stam 30. It's a vitamin supplement that can be used in place of grain. I needed something to not add to their weight as they are a little overweight but to where they would get the nutrition/vitamins they need. Since these 4 horses feet are deteriorating and they all eat the same thing, I can only point the finger at that. I have never, ever had a problem like this up until the last 6 months.


Putting them on a well balanced diet instead of a hoof supplement will do more for them in the long run. I believe you have answered your own questions. It will take time, but getting them on a balanced diet VS oats only will more than likely do the trick. Feed a high fat low starch balanced diet. I know the horse's are over weight, and feeding fat sounds some what contradict to that, but the fat is not only twice the energy of carbohydrates (grass), but also is a sealer/glue in the foot. So you may feed fat and back off the carbs witch will lower the sugars further helping hoof quality, and still allowing for a lower Kcal diet to lose weight. Try to stay low in protein as well. 12-10%. Purina Ultium is a great product in this category. If you talk to the Purina dealer you are buying the Omolene off of they should be able to put you in contact with a Purina nutritionist that will be able to help put a complete diet to gather for the horses. If this has not happened in past years to your horse's you may want to have your hay and pasture tested. Something may be off causing an imbalance in the diet. The imbalance could be in your water as well as you have said it is dry and the vitamins and minerals are much more concentrated in the water they are drinking. The nutritionist should be able to help you with this as well, and they should.

[Kevin L. Wyatt]

Also put them on a probiotic to help them better utilize there feed. Lactic acid-producing bacteria (probiotics) Secret B-vitamins witch not only is used by the foot, hair coat, and skin, but also stimulates fiber-digesting bacteria. I believe that is your answer to what is the best thing to feed even more so than a hoof supplement.

I prefer Fastrack Microbial pack by Conklin, and in your case also Fastrack fortifier for the boost.

You should be able to buy both of these at tractor supply (TSC). If you cannot find them send me a message and I can help you locate them.

[ravensgate]

Also put them on a probiotic to help them better utilize there feed. Lactic acid-producing bacteria (probiotics) Secret B-vitamins witch not only is used by the foot, hair coat, and skin, but also stimulates fiber-digesting bacteria. I believe that is your answer to what is the best thing to feed even more so than a hoof supplement.

I prefer Fastrack Microbial pack by Conklin, and in your case also Fastrack fortifier for the boost.

You should be able to buy both of these at tractor supply (TSC). If you cannot find them send me a message and I can help you locate them.


One of the four is on Fasttrack Microbial because she is prone to colic. Not gonna hurt to put others on it:) I haven't heard of Fastrack fortifier before. None of our TSC's carry it any more. Now they carry Opti-zyme by Manna Pro. There's a tack store in Shelbyville that any time I am up there I buy several bags (Fasttrack) from them since they keep it on hand and I can't find it anywhere else.




It's just fascinating how much I learned I don't know. I worked 6 years for a Purina dealer a few years ago. I went to more seminars than I care to remember. Either all those years of drinking led to lost information or things sure have changed because I just feel like I don't squat about horses any more.

I never heard of all these Low cal/low sugar/low carb/what-have-you diets. Time for some more education.

Thank you so much for your help.

I really want him to stay on FF. I figure if I smash it up to smaller size pellets (after it's been measured out) and then soak it, I can at least prevent any kind of choke. Even though the vets say that doesn't sound like the problem. I sure wish I could figure out what's causing this odd behaviour.

[Kevin L. Wyatt]

The issue you are having with the FF is the taste I believe. I have had other horse not like the after taste as well. If you have them on a complete low starch high fat diet, and watch the Kcals you will not need the FF as then it will just be over dosing vita/min that they will not use any way. The fasttrack will help them utilize the feed they are eating. I use to recommend FF a lot and just do not any longer do to I see better results working with the complete diet. To do this the hay and pasture at least need to be tested so a diet can be put together optimizing the vita/min. Testing the water will help as well, but keep in mind the vita/min concentration in water will change from flood to drought conditions. The reason I believe you see this now and have not in the past is something has changed in either the hay, pasture or water, and oats diet only has not got the nutrients to make up for the change. It could be as easy as the calcium phosphorus ratio is off blocking the digestion, or some other vita/min imbalance. The other reason for testing the hay and pasture is to see what the Kcals are so you can plan a diet to either loose weight or gain weight.

I really wood recommend the Purina ultium, and fastrack. But would not top dress any thing else as then you can run in to over dosing your horses with vita/min witch will cause a reverse effect on the whole horse including the feet, and can cause much worse.