Hoof, Electrolyte & Deworming Supplements
Cracker is my 23yr old AQHA mare. She's not in full retirement; still gets ridden a few hours weekly (mostly dressage work, occasional small jumps), taken on decent length trails (~6-15 miles) at least once monthly, fun shows, and we find ourselves in random things - a parade in a few weeks, a halter & english pleasure/equitation show a few weeks back - we're just having fun now. She's in good health; always met with disbelief about her age. But, I'm overprotective which leads to...
She's been barefoot for about 4 years now, prior to that barefoot in the winter only but she was mostly stalled. I have noticed that her hooves are starting to chip. No cracks, just chips, sometimes chunks are missed. We've had either days of rain or days of 80-100F temps. I'm not sure if I should just try different hoof moisturizers (recommendations? I've used rainmaker in the past and am using something but Cut n' Heal now - maybe not often enough?) or if she needs to start on something with Biotin. The supplement seems overkill, but I don't know. Ideas?
I'm toying with the idea of electrolytes - not sure if daily or before events. I have no idea how to do electrolytes before an event though - do you start a few days prior or day of? The problem is she doesn't drink when we go out on trails or at shows. She does have free choice access to mineral and salt blocks.
Is a daily dewormer with two tapeworm treatments yearly a better idea than a 60-day deworming program? I've read about how deworming schedules can be harsher on the system since it's "purging" as opposed to daily dewormers which are more maintanence.
I really don't want to over supplement - she's already on SmartFlex Senior and Hydroxyzine (switching to Tri-Hist if she'll eat it) because of bad bug bite reactions, but I've been toying with adding the deworming and electrolyte, if nothing but to help prevent things that could lead to colic.
Prior to entering our halter class a few weekends ago
She's been barefoot for about 4 years now, prior to that barefoot in the winter only but she was mostly stalled. I have noticed that her hooves are starting to chip. No cracks, just chips, sometimes chunks are missed. We've had either days of rain or days of 80-100F temps. I'm not sure if I should just try different hoof moisturizers (recommendations? I've used rainmaker in the past and am using something but Cut n' Heal now - maybe not often enough?) or if she needs to start on something with Biotin. The supplement seems overkill, but I don't know. Ideas?
I'm toying with the idea of electrolytes - not sure if daily or before events. I have no idea how to do electrolytes before an event though - do you start a few days prior or day of? The problem is she doesn't drink when we go out on trails or at shows. She does have free choice access to mineral and salt blocks.
Is a daily dewormer with two tapeworm treatments yearly a better idea than a 60-day deworming program? I've read about how deworming schedules can be harsher on the system since it's "purging" as opposed to daily dewormers which are more maintanence.
I really don't want to over supplement - she's already on SmartFlex Senior and Hydroxyzine (switching to Tri-Hist if she'll eat it) because of bad bug bite reactions, but I've been toying with adding the deworming and electrolyte, if nothing but to help prevent things that could lead to colic.
Prior to entering our halter class a few weekends ago