b'NUTRITIONnutrients fed is also reduced, she says.Minerals Of the key minerals, zincGrowth rings on a horses plays an important role in keratinizinghoof wall can appear and maintaining hoof strength. Researchfollowing a period of has shown that weak hooves are some- systemic illness or reflect changes in nutrition.times associated with low zinc levels in the blood (Harrington et al., 1973). Horses also need calcium to bind cells to each other in the horn. Feeding the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is a tenet in equine nutrition, because excess phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption and cause an array of health problems. Its important when consider-ing hoof health, because a lack of calcium can weaken the hooves. Indeed, just like amino acids, miner-als function in groups, Taylor says, and CARRIE CATHLEENchanging the amount fed of one or two can disrupt the absorption and utilization of other minerals. Feeding too much zinc, for example, will compromise copper and iron metabo- When to Turn to Supplements cracks or flat, bruised feet. All the study lism. Selenium helps build strong hooves,Owners, veterinarians, and farriershorses had improved hoof horn struc-but excessive amounts actually compro- have reported anecdotally that manyture (as assessed on a microscopic level) mise the horns quality, as can too much ofnutritional supplements help with brittlesix weeks after supplementation began. the amino acid methionine. Its all aboutfeet and hoof cracks, but independent sci- These changes were visible to the naked finding an equilibrium in the nutrients.entific research only supports those con- eye, as well. Once theyd grown quality Always make sure the horses diet istaining biotin and methionine. In 1990horn, none of the horses relapsed during balanced, Wagner urges. An unbalanceda research team from the University ofthe two-year experimental period. diet can negatively impact many areasEdinburgh, in Scotland, added a biotin/ Taylor and other nutritionists usu-of health and condition, including hoofmethionine product (Farriers Formula)ally find that horses with good feet dont health.to the diets of 18 horses with either hooftend to show much improvement with supplements, most likely indicating that their basic diet is already meeting all the hooves needs. This suggests that your money is best spent making sure your horses diets are complete and balanced and feeding nutritional hoof supple-ments only to those with weak or cracked hooves. And, as always, consult your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to discuss adding any supplement to your horses diet. Take-Home MessageHorses are individuals and, whether they are shod or barefoot, all have indi-vidual hoof health needs, Taylor says. There is no ideal diet that should be applied to every horse, but every owner should look carefully at the hoof in the context of overall health, environment, exercise, and diet.And keep in mind that todays diet is tomorrows hoofso give your horse the best chance at long-lasting health and soundness.h28August 2020The Horse|TheHorse.com'