Healthy Hoof Nail Treatment 30 ml

Product Information

The shape changes in a loaded hoof are complex. The plantar arch flattens, the solar concavity decreases in depth, and the heels spread. The hoof diameter increases to a 'dilated' configuration and P3 drops marginally into the hoof capsule. There is some recent evidence that a depression takes place in this phase, with blood pooling ('diastolic phase') mainly into the wall corium. When unloaded, the hoof restores its 'contracted' configuration, the pressure rises and the blood is squeezed out ('systolic phase'). There is a secondary pumping action with the flexion of the foot as it is raised. This is the exterior part of the hoof that can be seen and encases the internal structures offering a hard layer of protection. The material which makes up the hoof wall is keratin-based, which is also known as ‘horn’. Keratin is a protein and is the same material which makes up human hair and fingernails. It takes approximately 9-12 months for the horn to grow from the coronary band to the toe 1. The hoof wall should be smooth in appearance, with no obvious dips, grooves, lines or bulges.

Onychomycosis doesn’t just affect horse hooves. It has been found not only in humans, but in all sorts of animals including cows 1, cats and dogs 2 and goats and sheep 3. There are some who believe that true Onychomycosis is a fungal infection 4, 5, whereas traditionally it is often believed in the farriery profession to be a yeast infection 6. However, studies carried out on these hoof wall infections have isolated a whole host of bacteria, fungi and yeast within the hoof wall in greatly varying combinations 7. This is the outer layer of the hoof that forms a protective covering on the hoof wall. It is responsible for regulating moisture content in the horn, secreted from the perioplic ring above the coronet.

How to choose a hoof supplement

KEMPSON, S.A. (1987) “Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Hoof Horn from Horses with Brittle Feet”, Vet Record 120, 586-587 EDWARDS, G.B. ( 1980) White line disease of the foot in cattle. In: The Veterinary Annual, 20th edn. Eds: C.S.G.Grunsell and F.W.G.Hill. Scientechnica, Bristol. pp 227– 233 This is just a taster of what an amazing and complex structure the equine hoof is. If you would like to learn more about the anatomy of the equine hoof, and the way it functions I suggest you read the following: The goal is to acquire an image that precisely defines the position of the hoof capsule and its relationship to the bone and to the ground" - Debra Taylor, p 234 Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot. Diet can directly impact the horse’s hooves. Feeding a balanced high forage diet will ensure that vitamins and minerals are obtained, allowing healthy hoof growth.

The horse’s feet should be correctly balanced whether shod or unshod. Balance is important as inaccuracy can lead to lameness and aggravate navicular syndrome and laminitis. It can affect the whole movement and development of the horse and cause ongoing problems. Thankfully, there are many products available that are very effective in treating hoof horn, and thankfully, most of them are easy and cheap to obtain. Initially you should disinfect using a hoof soak which will penetrate deep into the hoof and kill off the hoof horn. Use either of these: An advanced, fast-acting and palatable herbal supplement that provides nutritional support for the laminae, digestion, metabolism, liver function and feed utilisation. The sensitive sole lies underneath the pedal bone but above the outer sole. The sensitive sole produces new horn to the insensitive sole when it’s worn away. The white line forms where the hoof wall meets the sole of the foot. It’s the only visible part of the horse’s laminae; it’s therefore very important to monitor the white line closely for stretching or signs of infection. Stretching may occur due to poor foot balance, limb conformation, incorrect (uneven) weight bearing, poor riding, poor farriery and an overweight horse. Stretching can also allow bacteria to become trapped within the hoof wall causing an infection known as white line disease, commonly referred to as seedy toe.

Originally developed to treat the hooves of elegant show horses, Healthy Hoof is an amazingly effective protein treatment for repairing worn nails and cuticles. Once optimum hoof quality is achieved through TopSpec Healthy Hoof, it is recommended that the dosage be continued indefinitely, as without continued supplementation, deterioration is a real threat. Considered to be less harmful than neat iodine, but it still has the same detrimental effect on horn quality It is very important that this group of horses and ponies receive their full requirement of vitamins and minerals. Lite Feed Balancer allows them to receive all the micronutrients required to balance the diet of horses in light to medium work in a small amount of exceptionally low-calorie feed.