Feeding For Hooves

We all know the traditional saying ‘No foot, no horse’, and it is well known with good reason. Nothing is more frustrating than preparing for that important local show, or arranging a great hack out with friends, just to discover a lost shoe! Cracked brittle feet can easily result in lost shoes, unsoundness and bruised soles, so it’s important that we maintain good hoof condition and for those prone to poor feet the only way to effectively do that is to feed for strong hooves.

Feeding for Hoof Health

Probably the best-known nutrient for hooves is biotin. Research dating back to the 1980s has shown the benefit of supplementation of this water-soluble vitamin on hoof growth; but do we also need to look beyond biotin? Biotin is naturally synthesised by the microbiota of the hind gut, and is also present in forage, particularly fresh grass, so grazing horses with healthy gut function, are unlikely to be deficient. However, we all know that there are plenty of horses in that category with less-than-ideal hoof condition, so what else might they require?

Sulphur is a key nutrient for hooves, particularly for horn and keratin production. The amino acids, methionine and cysteine are sulphur rich nutrients added to hoof products to support the role of the biotin, but they are not the only sulphur sources. MSM (Methyl sulphonyl methane) is a great source of bioavailable sulphur, and definitely one to look out for in any good hoof product. Other important minerals to look out for include zinc and manganese, both of which are advised in a quality hoof product.

It’s worth remembering that hooves are part of the ‘dermis’, the largest organ in the body, and as such, condition often reflects general health rather than specific hoof health. Look for supplements which take a holistic approach, such as including herbs for health, as these are supporting the whole horse and not their hooves.

Of course, the last thing we all need when feeding for hoof health, is that most elusive of ingredients – patience! Just remember when feeding hooves, we do need to commit to supplementing for nine to twelve months for full hoof growth.