PROBLEM: Lost shoes have you missing days of riding and training
SOLUTION: Hoof Supplements

Ever feel like you spend more time searching the field for yet another lost shoe than you do in the saddle? (Seriously, what does he do, bury them? How could it be gone?!)

Even if your horse isn’t throwing shoes left and right, if his feet are dry, cracked, “crumbly” or “shelly,” they’re not as healthy as they could be. Remember, your horse’s hooves form the foundation for everything he does, so it’s important to make sure he has the nutritional support he needs to keep them strong and healthy.

It’s What’s Inside that Counts

If your horse is receiving a complete and balanced diet, he should have all the nutrients he needs to support healthy hooves. However, whether it’s the result of genetics, type of work or other external factors, some horses need supplementation beyond their normal diet to grow healthy hooves. But with all the choices out there, it can be tough to know where to begin. That’s where we come in! We’ll give you a brief overview of the key ingredients to look for, and a quick explanation of the role they play in keeping your horse’s hooves healthy.

Biotin: A member of the B Vitamin family, Biotin is vital to the health of all connective tissue structures, including the hoof. Studies have shown that continuous dietary supplementation with Biotin for at least six to nine months improved and maintained hoof health in horses with poor quality hooves. While Biotin is critical, it’s rarely a stand- alone solution. In fact, only an estimated 2% of horses with hoof problems are suffering from a Biotin deficiency alone.

Minerals: Copper and Zinc are two minerals commonly deficient in the horse’s diet. Both play a key role in the formation and maintenance of connective tissue. Zinc is of particular importance due to its role in the formation of keratin, the structural protein that gives hooves their hardness.

Methionine: This essential amino acid contains sulfur, which is essential for the cross-linking of the fibers that give hooves their tensile strength.

Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats are necessary for proper moisture maintenance and pliability of work or other external factors, some horses need supplementation beyond their normal diet to grow healthy hooves. But with all the choices out there, it can be tough to know where of the hoof structure. Look for a hoof supplement that contains Lecithin, Soy, Flax Seed or Rice Bran, to provide these beneficial fatty acids.

Results You Can See

The average hoof only grows 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch per month, and supplements can only affect the hoof at the coronary band, where the tissue is still alive. As a result, it can take several months to see a noticeable difference in the quality of your horse’s hoof wall.

For more information, visit our SmartPak Blog at Smarter Solutions: Hoof Health