Supporting Healthy Hooves Through Nutrition

There is a common phrase in horse lore that rings in the ears of many horsemen pertaining to equine feet: No hoof, no horse. Anyone that has ever dealt with hoof issues knows the truth in this simplistic statement. The foot of the horse is the foundation of the animal. Its well-being affects so many areas of the horse and can even be an indicator of overall health. Genetics may be the most influential factor to good hooves, but other factors like age, breed, metabolic rate, environmental moisture, illness, shoeing and exercise can all have influence on hoof quality as well. Despite these variables, one thing is certain: the quality of the hoof has a definitive nutritional component. Because hoof tissue is relatively fast-growing, similar to hair, any nutritional deficiencies may first be detected by observing changes in the hoof. Dietary changes can positively or negatively affect the hoof’s overall integrity because it is in a continuous state of growth. Horses on well-balanced diets are less likely to have foot problems. A balanced, forage-based diet is essential for all areas of equine health, including hoof health.

5 Dietary Factors For Strong, Healthy Feet

1. Calories

Total energy or caloric intake directly correlates to the growth rate of hooves. Ensuring that a horse is in a positive energy balance means that total intake meets or exceeds output; the horse is maintaining or gaining weight. The diet should provide enough energy to promote growth of the hoof wall while maintaining a healthy body condition. If a horse has very poor-quality hooves, consider total energy intake first. A horse in a negative energy balance will utilize protein to compensate for energy needs for maintenance or growth, etc. This may create a secondary protein or amino acid deficiency that will directly impact hoof quality.

2. Protein and Amino Acids

Protein is the essential foundation of a solid hoof making up over 90% of the hoof wall on a dry weight basis. Protein deficient diets lead to general poor hoof quality as shown by reduced growth and splitting or cracking of the hoof. Hoof tissue contains many amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, and must be available in appropriate amounts in the diet. Most importantly to hooves are the essential amino acids, lysine and methionine, needed to produce the primary structural protein, keratin.

3. Fats

Fats play a pivotal role in a healthy hoof as they retain natural moisture and pliability of the hoof wall, resist the absorption of water from the environment and prevent bacteria and fungi from entering the hoof horn. Hoof tissue has 3-6% total fat, which works to bind cells together and aids in repelling water. Fatty acids are important nutrients for healthy hooves as they help in connecting hoof horn cells and sustain a permeability barrier. Deficiency of fatty acids can be seen in skin and hoof problems with dry, splitting feet that do not respond well to vitamin/mineral-specific supplements but improve when supplemented with a formula containing essential fatty acids.

4. Vitamins

Several vitamin antioxidants are influential to hoof health including beta carotene (precursor for vitamin A), vitamin C and vitamin E as they offer protection from oxidation at the membrane level. Vitamin A is also necessary for keratin production. Vitamin C is influential in the production of collagen which is incorporated into all connective tissues. Unlike vitamin C which can be synthesized in the intestines of the horse to prevent maintenance deficiencies, beta carotene and vitamin E may require supplementation for horses without access to fresh grass to support hoof health.

5. Minerals

Minerals are needed for virtually every process in the entire body of the horse, and growing, protecting and strengthening hoof tissue is no exception. Providing the requirements needed for maintenance at the particular stage of life the horse is in is extremely important. However, it is also important that minerals are in the correct proportion to each other since they interact with each other and can interfere with the absorption of another if levels are too high or too low.

The macromineral calcium is integral for hoof growth and strength and is involved in the creation of sulfur cross-links between the hoof proteins and in the cohesion of cells to each other and initiates cell envelope formation. If calcium levels are low in the overall diet, supplying extra calcium to meet requirements may positively impact hoof quality, as well as bone quality. Many horses show a noticeable improvement in hoof horn quality when diets are balanced for calcium and phosphorus. Hoof quality suffers dramatically with inadequate levels of zinc or copper. A lack of either zinc or copper can result in slow hoof growth and thin, weak walls. High iron intake, extremely common in horses, can compound the problem as it interferes with absorption of both these minerals. Significant hoof improvement is typical for horses that receive adequate supplementation of zinc and copper. Zinc and copper are not only needed for the hoof itself but also necessary for forming healthy tissue that attaches the outer hoof wall to the living tissue underneath. Oxidative damage to the fats in the hoof structure break the protective seal on the hoof. This causes drying and weakening of the cementing “glue” between the cells.

Hoof quality relies heavily on a dietary component that is made up of energy, protein and amino acids, fats, vitamins, macro and trace minerals. Nutritional changes, including supplementation, influence new growth. Studies have shown that the equine hoof wall takes approximately 9 to 12 months to grow from the coronary band to the weight-bearing surface. Quantifiable hoof changes require time, consistency and patience. Healthy hooves start from within, and the foundation of soundness in the horse is a healthy hoof.