Your Paso & You:
The Major Importance Of Your Farrier And The Right Minerals
by Michele Londono, Ph.D.

Nobody in the Paso Fino world can under-evaluate the role of the farrier. Farrier, vet and trainer do need to cooperate in a well-orchestrated team in order to build the perfect Paso Fino and to keep him fit that way, for many years, no matter how many Paso Finos are in your herd.

This article comes in response to the very true and useful article published in the June 2001 issue of Paso Fino Horse World, on efficient Farm Management by Young. I want to add an experience with well-known Dr. Carlos Cortelezzi, vet and orthopedic Paso Fino farrier who has shod all the champions, from Amadeus, Atrevido del 8, 222, Simbolo, Vitral, to La Maraquita. You name the champion, somewhere down the line Carlos has been responsible for the shoeing of that champion and the results are incredible. I have had the privilege to work closely with Dr. Cortelezzi who shoes all the horses at the Toddler & Rider Paso Fino Farm, and I have been amazed by the major role that not only correct shoeing angles play, but also the knowledge of conformation and which vitamins, supplements, and minerals should be administered.

I wish to share with our Paso Fino friends some very valuable information Dr. Cortelezzi has produced through a study of over 500 Paso Fino horses, to resolve an old puzzle: which minerals and which vitamins can efficiently protect the Paso Fino hoof and prevent or cure laminitis? Along with this finding comes the basic formula of what to do and what to give in the feed for the Paso Fino horse, in particular when there is a danger of laminitis, so frequent in our breed! There are so many articles on hoof care and equine nutrition; so many products on the equine market to add to the regular feed to harden the hoof, take care of weight, or else. With the scary knowledge that too high of a dose of just one supplement ingredient can lead to the contrary effect in the horse's system, the Paso Fino owner is faced everyday with a greater and more complex dilemma. With so many choices available, who can tell us with authority what works to keep healthy hooves? Everyone has a different theory. What is, or what would be, the ideal, practical, easy, and proven formula for the Paso Fino supplement to maintain the horse's ideal weight while keeping the hoof growing, hard, and safe? The formula had to be made simple and efficient. When I read Carlos' recent article on trace minerals based on his study of over 500 Colombian Paso Fino horses in Colombia at the JC Stables, I was fascinated and I was hooked. Finally a solution, a light at the end of the tunnel. But, what about Biotin, Source, and other supplements out there? Biotin grows the hoof, but keeps it soft. Source is a very expensive alternative with a tendency to add undesirable weight to the Paso Fino. We can leave them in peace.

Carlos indicates EXACTLY the ingredients that are needed to multiply the effect of other vitamins, in order to reduce the risk of founder and even cure incipient founder and laminitis!! Most Paso Fino horses inherit this grave problem and are prone to laminitis, not only by chance of colic or birth or switch of feed, but practically just by the terrific amount of Paso Fino beats the hoof suffers while the horse needs to perform on hard surfaces during training, showing or on the trails. Based on several articles Carlos Cortelezzi has written, seminars he has led, statistics of the Paso Fino horse's hoof condition, and combined with his daily experience of shoeing the Paso Fino breed -- the article presented by Cortelezzi explains clearly the vital role of trace minerals in the prevention of laminitis.

I am now actively administering the prevention diet at the farm on a daily basis with great success. I believe in the results so strongly that I am also adding the new product to my store, for Paso Fino owners to have easy and direct access to the solution, instead of doing it the hard way and struggling thru the years in what seems an endless hunt for the right supplement. Toddler & Rider Paso Fino now holds the representation for all our clients and for South Florida of Equino Trace Minerals, which is the miracle hoof product described in the previous article. This 64 ounce powder bucket is what was administered to the horses in the study by Cortelezzi; combined with Equino Top, it is engineered for the best athletes and top shape Paso Finos, at the best price because other supplements cost three to four times as much with the danger of affecting other parts of the horse's digestive system. One ounce a day of each product, for 60 days, and you have the perfect, healthy horse, shiny coat, top quality hooves to shoe, a decreased risk of colic and therefore a decrease of founder or laminitis. You do not need to pay the veterinarian to treat colic or laminitis! You use less feed because Equino Trace Minerals makes the most out of the hay and the grain given daily. Two ounces a day are the attack cure for an incipient laminitis case. All you are still responsible to do, for complete success, is of course a normal deworming schedule and a regular dental check or floss every year or so.