It’s every horse owner’s worst nightmare- you go to the field to see that your horse has three normal hooves… and one hoof half missing.
For Clair, one of our customers, this shocking scenario became a reality.
Her thoroughbreds’ hoof was degloved, meaning part of the hoof capsule was completely ripped off.
This type of injury can be catastrophic to horses and is often the result of poor overall hoof health.
When a hoof is degloved it exposes sensitive, blood-rich tissue that interlocks with the laminae- the horse's shock-absorbing system. Not only will this cause the horse immense pain, but they will be left with severe lameness as they are unable to bear weight on the injured leg.
Horses can recover from this type of injury, but the prognosis is not good and at best the process of healing is long and not guaranteed.
Biotex-80 Case Study
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Fortunately, the outcome for Clair and her horse is a positive one, and she puts it down to using Biotex-80.
Clair said: ‘’He got the injury on the 15th of February this year, but in just 8 months the hoof has almost completely grown back. This is unheard of for thoroughbreds!’’
With 9 weeks of box rest and the right nutritional support, her horse made an astonishing recovery.
How Does Biotex-80 Work
Biotex-80 is Hestevard’s leading hoof improving supplement. It is a superior feed supplement for horses with poor hoof condition, with its name deriving from the very high levels of Biotin (80mg per daily serving) which is vital for hoof strength and condition.
This product provides all the nutrients necessary to protect and nourish every layer within the hoof horn, containing considerably more biotin than most hoof nutraceuticals. This Sulphur enriched formula, along with the significant levels of Methionine, MSM and Zinc, will ensure that important nutrients are supplied to the horses' diet, to optimise hoof growth and improve the integrity of the hoof.
Hestevard guarantees customer satisfaction when horses are taken through the full recommended 150-day course.
What to do if your horse is degloved
- Immediately wrap the hoof in a clean towel or bandage to keep contaminants out of the wound. Putting pressure on the wrap will also help prevent blood loss.
- Do NOT pull away any remaining hoof capsule sections or remaining shoe, even if it feels loose.
- Regardless of the time, call your vet right away. If you cannot reach your vet, you should contact your farrier as they may be able to help you assess the damage.
- If you can, walk your horse to a secure space where your vet can work.
- If you have some on hand, administer an anti-inflammatory or pain medication- Your horse will be in tremendous pain.
- Try to keep your horse still and upright.
- Watch out for pain-related colic that may set in.
- Stay calm and don’t jump to the conclusions before your vet has seen your horse.
- Wait for your vet to make an informed assessment. This will likely include x-rays to assess internal damage, and an assessment of the blood flow to the limb.
How to prevent serious hoof injuries
- Daily care- You should always clean your horse's legs and pick out their feet. Not only will this make your horse feel more comfortable, but it gives you a chance to inspect the hooves and spot any injuries before they get worse.
- Feed correctly- Diet can have a huge impact on your horse’s hooves. Not enough minerals can make hooves brittle and weak, while too much starch can cause serious health conditions such as laminitis.
- Limit high impact- Running on hard surfaces causes the laminae to become inflamed. The excessive compression can then lead to bleeding inside the soles of the hooves. Being shod can reduce this effect, but you should really limit hard work on unforgiving surfaces.
- Treat all lameness as serious- Usually, the cause of lameness is muscle-related. However, bruises, the formation of an abscess, inflammation of the laminae (laminitis), and minor cuts and abrasions can all trigger lameness. Until you know the cause of the issue, you should err on the side of caution. Riding a lame horse, especially without knowing the cause of their lameness, can result in permanent damage.
