I have owned an 8yo QH for almost a year. He has tiny feet, poor circulation, thin hoof walls, dropped soles, contracted heels, the hoof chips and crumbles. He gets alfalfa hay at our barn. I would say the quality changes from time to time like most barns. He has been on Farriers formula concentrate 1/2 cup daily for atleast 6 months. I mix it with a small scoop of rice bran. In the past couple of weeks I started adding a cup of flax seed and some unflavored gelatine. I don't think he is overweight but he is on the larger side. He has the most beautiful coat and mane and his tail is to die for. What would you suggest for my boy's feet? How does ultra bioflax compare to farrier's formula with 1 cup flax seed? What about the glanzen? What do you think about the gelatine? Thanks!

Where are you from? California

How did you locate this forum? googled equine nutritionist

Oh, one more thing, I was reading up on seaweed/kelp...what are your thought on that? Thanks so much!!!!

Where are you from? California

How did you locate this forum? googled equine nutritionist

Hello LJ,

I prefer BioFlax Ultra to Farrier's Formula and whole flaxseeds for a couple of reasons. BioFlax Ultra contains 30 mgs of Biotin, compared to 20 mg in the Farrier's Formula. Also Farrier's formula has too high a level of omega 6 fatty acids compared to omega 3s. Adding your own flaxseeds, unless you grind them every day, does not benefit your horse since they are not adequately chewed. They will end up in your horse's manure. They need to be ground, but since they go rancid in a matter of hours, it is best to have a stabilized product. Also, there is too much phosphorus in flax, compared to calcium, so Nutra Flax has added calcium to correct this imbalance.

Glanzen contains the ingredients found in BioFlax Ultra along with extra B vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and Nutra Flax. I highly recommend it to fill in nutritional gaps for a horse that is receiving pasture. If your horse is on hay most of the day, consider Glanzen Complete.

Regarding hay, it is best to limit alfalfa to no more than 1/2 the hay ration, and preferably less than that. Too much protein and too high a mineral content can lead to problems including intestinal enteroliths.

Thank you for writing.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Hi LJ,

Kelp is too high in iodine. It interacts with selenium and can induce a selenium deficiency. Go with plain, white, table salt. If you are feeding Glanzen, get the iodized version. If you are feeding Glanzen Complete, get the non-iodized version of table salt. You can feed it free choice or add 2 tablespoons per day (divided between meals). Or a simple white salt block is fine, as long as your horse goes through a 5 lb block within 30 to 40 days.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO