What are key hoof nutrients?

Biotin and the Other Vitamin B–Complex Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are a group of 10 water-soluble vitamins, three of which are closely related to hoof growth, riboflavin (B-2), folic acid, and biotin. B-Vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, and hooves. Riboflavin (B-2) functions as a part of the enzymes that are involved in the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates, fat, and proteins. It is also necessary for the maintenance of hair and hooves. Supplementation recommended for deficiencies is between 5 and 10 mg per day. Folic acid is closely related to cell metabolism and normal blood formation, and deficiencies might be related to some types of anemia. It also has shown beneficial effects on hair and hoof growth. Supplementation is recommended at between 5 and 54 mg per day. Biotin is probably the most recognized nutrient for hoofs. Although, not as effective by itself, it can be helpful to some types of hoof defects. A study found that horses fed 20 mg supplemental biotin per day showed beneficial effects in their hoof condition. Some of the salient results reported were: 1) reduced incidence and severity of horn defects, 2) increased tensile strength, and 3) improved condition of the white-line junction. Although, the exact supplementation level for the study is unknown, the suggested supplementation for hoof growth should be at 20 mg per day.2

Essential Trace Minerals

Minerals can be either combined with an organic matrix or inorganic. Organic forms of minerals (proteinates) are chemically bound to amino acids. Select Nu-Hoof Maximizer™ provides zinc in the organic form. Organic minerals are more bio-available for your horse than non-organic forms like oxides. In general zinc is involved with growth rates and healing. Zinc deficiencies can retard protein metabolism and restrain amino acid utilization, both necessary for hoof condition and repair. Zinc strengthens the “White Line Junction” of the hoof which bonds the soft inner tissue to the hoof wall. Most equine rations need zinc supplementation in order to meet basic requirements. Copper deficiency in horses causes a number of abnormal conditions including the defects in the pigmentation and structure of the hair and hoof. Another essential mineral is iodine, which is important to the metabolic function of the horse. Iodine deficiency is apparent in dull lusterless hair coat and poor hoof condition.

Amino Acid Synergy

Only ten of the 22 amino acids are considered essential. Of those ten, only lysine and methionine are related to hoof growth in livestock. Lysine, the more important of the two, is the key to improving protein utilization. Grass hay diets are especially lacking in lysine. Most typical equine diets have a shortfall of roughly 750 mg of lysine per day. Methionine, a key player in keratin and cystine formulation in hoof growth, is often cited as the second most limiting amino acid in horse diets after lysine. Generally, methionine is not lacking in diets, but farriers, nutritionists, and veterinarians routinely recommend supplementation.

Direct-fed Microbials and Nutrient Utilization

Found in the digestive system of the horse, microbials, can range in the billions of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and yeasts. Select Nu-Hoof Maximizer™ provides the important microbes Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and enzymes in a coated prill. This ensures that the microbes are delivered viable and in quantity when they reach the digestive tract where they are needed. Horses use microbes as bio-factories to synthesize vital nutrients and combat stress. Stables and barns are microbe sterile environments, which compounds the problem by reducing the source of these beneficial microbes. Additionally, broad spectrum wormers and antibiotics combat not only the pathogens and parasites causing illness, but can a affect the beneficial microbes as well. A variety of other behavioral stresses, including transport, competition, and breeding, can be just as disruptive to gut microbes as chemical treatments. Geriatric horses are more susceptible to microbial deficiencies because of their sensitivity to changes in diet, weather, and routines. With a modest amount of nutritional background, and a little common sense, the average horse person can quickly determine the need to supplement their horse’s feed ration. The key concepts to focus on are feeding balanced nutrients (improper amounts can even block or bind the affects of other trace minerals or vitamins) and supplementing comprehensively (multi-vitamin mineral with amino acids, utilizing all key nutrients for the hoof). If your horse’s hoof has chipped or cracked due to poor nutrition, be patient-most horses take between six to nine months to grow a new hoof horn. Sources 1.) Comben, N.R.J.Clark & D.J.B. Sutherland. 1984. Clinical observations on the response of equine hoof defects to dietary supplementation with biotin. Vet. Rec. 115:642 2.) J.Linden, H.Josseck, W Zender, H. Geyer, and J. Schulze, The Effect of D-Biotin Supplementation on Hoof Condition in Lipizzaner Horses, et,al, 1993

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