HORSE KEEPING

NUTRITION FOR HEALTHY HOOVES

Proper hoof growth requires certain nutrients, in specific ratios.

BY JESSICA McCOAG, MSC. – PURINA EQUINE NUTRITION CONSULTANT

Horse owners know that maintaining healthy hooves is important to keep our equine partners sound, happy, and able to perform. A horse’s diet plays an important role in maintaining good hoof quality, strength, and durability throughout the horse’s life.

Horses require certain nutrients for hoof growth and maintenance, and it’s important that nutrients are provided in specific ratios. The key to healthy hooves is a well-balanced diet; this means the horse is receiving all necessary nutrients and the diet has no imbalances, deficiencies, or excesses. Although many nutrients are required in the equine diet, some key nutrients for hoof health are discussed below.

PROTEIN

tin. Keratin, like all protein, is made of amino acids and provides strength, hardness, and flexibility of the hoof. It is important that essential amino acids are provided in the correct amounts to build and maintain body tissues – including hooves. Methionine is of particular importance when it comes to hoof health. If methionine is deficient in the diet, the horse will have poor hoof integrity as well as growth issues, poor stress tolerance, and skin problems.

BIOTIN

Vitamin B7 – better known as biotin – is one of the most important vitamins for hoof health. Biotin contains sulfur, which contributes to the strength of bonds between collagen strands in the hoof wall. Studies have shown biotin supplementation to be beneficial in restoring strength and elasticity to the hoof wall in horses with brittle hooves. The average

horse’s diet should include 15 to 20 mg of biotin per day, but some horses benefit from additional supplementation.

MINERALS

A key mineral in maintaining hoof strength and integrity is zinc. Horses also need calcium to bind cells together in the hoof horn. The correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is critical because excess phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption and cause many issues in the body, including weakened hooves. Copper, manganese, and selenium also play a role in hoof quality and strength. An imbalance in one mineral can affect the absorption and utilization of other minerals, therefore, it is crucial that all minerals in the diet are balanced.

WHEN TO ADD A SUPPLEMENT

Research supports the efficacy of hoof supplements containing both biotin and methionine. If a horse has serious hoof problems, it is unlikely that its diet is meeting its nutritional requirements. It is important to make sure your horse’s diet is well balanced, and then add a hoof supplement that contains biotin, methionine, and zinc to horses who have weak or cracked hooves. Purina’s BMZ is a great option for those horses who need additional supplementation.

TIPS TO REMEMBER

A horse needs a diet balanced in energy (calories) and nutrients. Adding a hoof supplement to an imbalanced diet will not improve hoof health as the horse will use the nutrients for vital organ and bodily processes. It is essential that a horse’s diet is balanced before adding in a hoof supplement. Using a ration balancer like Purina’s Optimal or Equilizer as part of your horse’s daily ration can correct imbalances.

It’s important to remember that hooves are very slow growing. If you make a change to your horse’s diet, be patient; it can take 12 months or more to see visual results in the hoof.

If you need help to balance your horse’s diet, please reach out to your local Purina Equine Nutrition Consultant or contact us via Purina Connect. We are always happy to answer questions about your horse’s nutrition! www.equipurina.ca

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