losing shoes

Question
The horse I ride often loses shoes in the summer.  When the farrier pulls the shoes, he says the hoof "crumbles away."  When this happens, he has to use glue-on shoes (which are expensive!).  He has suggested that I put Thrush-Buster in the nail holes and then apply a sealant over the nail holes to help prevent the growth of fungus.  However, even with this treatment, he continually needs the glue-on shoes in the summer.  Is there anything else I can try (internal supplements or external treatments) in order to keep the hooves from crumbling away?  This is a horse I may want to purchase one day, but I am afraid I can't afford the shoes!

Thanks so much.

Answer
HELLO ASHLEY...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

I run into this on a regular basis...so take a deep breath  ;)  :)

I "don't" know exactly what your farrier is doing or looking over the job...BUT...
this is the way I handle it with success and I do horses 400/500 miles away from my home!!
They can't lose too many shoes, or they'd "run me off".

First...DEFINITELY a hoof supplement ( Horseshoers' Secret, Hoof Rite,Farriers Formula) just to name a few. After the hooves look 100% better, you can give him half dosage as maintenance.
Don't stop feeding it to him. It will be economical and SAVE you money.

Second...I hot shoe all my horses. It will seal the wall and makes it stronger. I also draw
clips on the shoes where I use less nails and it takes the strain off the wall.
A 5/6 week shoeing schedule in the Summer and 6/7 wks. in the winter...Unless you don't ride and want to just trim.

Glu-ons are fine and have their purpose, but they are "pricey" and the hoof has to be prep'd
correctly and very dry. If not, they won't stay on long and can tear off wall that is
desperately needed !!

I have a feeling it is not a "fungus' that is in the wall. If so, it would not just be crumbly,
it would have large separations. A hoof sealant after shoeing and once a week only would help.

Hope I've shed some light on your problem...
Best to You !
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.