Nutrition Focus: No Foot, No Horse

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

No Foot, No Horse!

Considering the effect of nutrition on our horses’ feet

Nutrition is essential to proper hoof growth

Photography by Aaron Tyler dip WCF

The old saying “No foot, no horse”, is absolutely true to its word, and something I feel, is over-looked when we consider the nutrition of our horses. Too often we reach for a supplement to solve a problem that has occurred four to six months before, and will take four to six months to recover again, rather than considering what the horse is eating that may affect its feet.

When on a yard visit, particularly a yard that is new to me and I am not familiar with the management and set up, I stand back and look at each horse as an individual – taking in conformation, muscle development, body condition, skin and coat condition, legs and then absolutely, the feet!

The feet can tell me what possible nutritional changes have occurred in the diet over the last few months, and in the polo pony, this is often indicative in the dietary changes that occur in the autumn and spring – being turned out and again when they come back into work in the spring. Are the feet smooth, or do they have lots of ridges, or perhaps one big ridge/ring in all four feet? Are there cracks or do they look weak and crumbling?

Rings/ridges on all four feet can be indicative of sudden/drastic changes in the diet, such as turn out over winter when hard feed suddenly stops and coming back into work when hard feed is fed again. The health of the hoof is an extension of the health of the horse, when overall health is compromised, hoof health is often negatively affected.

How often do the farriers get a little fed up with shoes coming off during the summer when polo is busy? Before we blame the farrier and question how well is he putting on the shoes, we might just have to take a little responsibility and look a little closer to home first.

Why?

Polo ponies are generally fed in the summer months when in work and very often they are fed a lot of concentrate feed, so, by the time the foot growth reaches the area for shoes to be fitted it is the end of the season or they are turned out for their winter holiday, therefore what the pony is eating over the winter is more likely to determine hoof integrity during the summer.

How can we help?

Research has shown that a balance of good quality proteins, vitamins and minerals aid hoof growth and integrity, so maintaining a balanced diet all year round is necessary to ensure this happening.

Energy

The horse, like humans, requires energy for all basic body functions, including the digestion and utilisation of nutrients in its feed, and to help sustain the growth and development of tissues, including the hoof wall. If the horse does not have sufficient energy to fully utilise the supplement or feed, it will not be able to reap the benefits.

A Balance – All Year Round

It is as simple as maintaining a balanced diet all year round to ensure healthy hoof growth without the need for supplementation.

What can we do?

• Feed a balanced diet all year round • Provide at least a Paddock/Field

Licks during winter turnout • Don’t rely on grass alone to provide a balanced diet in the autumn/winter months – nutritional values deplete considerably and lacks good quality protein, vitamins and minerals • Provide good quality hay/haylage to substitute grass • Don’t give out to your farrier until you have looked at what you do!

Inadequate nutrition can lead to poor hoof growth Aaron Taylor works wonders on foot care

What are those key nutrients we consider with hoof health?

Biotin – (also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H) has a lot of emphasis put on it when considering foot health, however, biotin alone, is not enough to correct poor hoof quality, it is however one of many essential nutrients required by the horse for hoof integrity.

• What is Biotin? • It is a sulphur-containing B vitamin which plays a part in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism • It also helps maintain healthy skin & hooves and functions as a co-enzyme • Horses manufacture B vitamins in the large intestine during the breakdown of fibre, and the absorption of these vitamins, plus those obtained from a well-balanced diet, usually provides adequate levels for the horse • Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, so is not stored in the body, it is either used by the body cells or excreted in the urine meaning it is difficult for it to become toxic when fed in larger quantities.

Protein – is an essential nutrient which is vital for correct and healthy hoof formation. The hoof wall is comprised predominantly of the protein keratin, so not providing sufficient dietary protein can negatively affect hoof health and condition. Protein is made up of amino acids which can be divided into two groups; those that the horse can produce sufficient amounts of itself and those which have to be supplied in the diet and are referred to as “essential”. Methionine is one of the essential amino acids important in the make-up of keratin so a shortfall in the diet may lead to poor hoof growth.

Vitamins & Minerals – are essential in the diet, but over supplementing can be as detrimental as underfeeding, and again thinking of the polo pony, it will often swing from an ‘all or nothing diet’. Equally, supplementing with one key mineral, rather than a balance, will lead to an imbalance and can cause deficiencies of other minerals which may be “tied up” by the one in excess.

• Key vitamins & minerals in hoof nutrition include: • Calcium – Key mineral in bone development and structure • Zinc – Plays a role in carbohydrate & protein metabolism as well as being a component of an enzyme responsible for collagen synthesis • Manganese – Important in the skeletal make-up as well as being a major component of cartilage • Copper – Significant in bone and connective tissue formation • Vitamins A and E – have an important role in tissue growth & strength.