What to feed a horse to improve hooves

As a horse owner, one of the most important aspects of caring for your horse is ensuring their overall health and wellbeing. One key component of this is maintaining healthy hooves. The quality of a horse's hooves can impact their overall soundness and ability to perform, so it's important to take steps to improve and maintain their hoof health. One way to do this is through proper nutrition, which plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of strong, healthy hooves.

In this article, we will discuss some of the key nutrients and feedstuffs that can help improve the quality of your horse's hooves, as well as some feeding tips to keep in mind.

The Importance of Nutrition for Hoof Health

Before diving into specific nutrients and feedstuffs, it's important to understand why nutrition is so crucial for hoof health. Hooves are made up of a complex matrix of proteins, minerals, and other nutrients that work together to create a strong, resilient structure. These nutrients are obtained through the horse's diet, and deficiencies or imbalances can result in weak, brittle hooves that are prone to cracking, splitting, and other issues.

In addition to providing the nutrients needed for healthy hoof growth and maintenance, a balanced diet can also help support overall health and immune function, which can help prevent or mitigate hoof-related issues such as thrush, abscesses, and other infections.

Key Nutrients for Hoof Health

Now that we understand the importance of nutrition for hoof health, let's take a closer look at some of the key nutrients that play a role in hoof growth and maintenance.

Protein: Hooves are primarily composed of a protein called keratin, so it's no surprise that protein is a key nutrient for hoof health. Adequate protein intake is necessary to support the growth and repair of hoof tissue. Good sources of protein for horses include alfalfa, soybean meal, and other legume-based feeds.

Biotin: Biotin is a B-vitamin that plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of healthy hooves. Studies have shown that supplementing with biotin can improve hoof quality, including increased hoof strength and faster hoof growth. Good sources of biotin for horses include biotin-fortified feeds, as well as supplements. Tip: If you are looking for a hoof supplement, look for a supplement with high levels of biotin as this will make a significant difference to the rate of hoof growth. 

Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that is essential for proper keratinization of hoof tissue. Inadequate zinc intake can result in weak, slow-growing hooves that are prone to cracking and other issues. Good sources of zinc for horses include grass hay, oats, and supplements.

Copper: Copper is another mineral that is important for hoof health, as it plays a role in collagen formation and cross-linking of keratin fibers. A lack of copper in the diet can result in weak, brittle hooves that are more prone to cracking and splitting. Good sources of copper for horses include grass hay, oats, and supplements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that are important for overall health, including hoof health. Studies have shown that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can improve hoof strength and growth. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids for horses include flaxseed, chia seeds, and fish oil supplements.

Feeding Tips for Hoof Health

Now that we've covered some of the key nutrients for hoof health, let's discuss some feeding tips to keep in mind to ensure your horse is getting the nutrients they need.

Provide a balanced diet: The foundation of any good feeding program is a balanced diet that provides all the essential nutrients your horse needs. This includes a good quality hay or pasture, as well as a balanced concentrate feed that provides adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Consider supplementation: If your horse has poor hooves, we recommend adding a hoof supplement to its diet. You can see a comparison of hoof supplements available here. 

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