Supporting Your Horse's Hoof Health Through Nutrition

Hoof health is multi-faceted. Nutrition plays a significant role in supporting optimal hoof growth, quality, and overall health. Any physical or behavioral change in your horse could indicate a nutritional weakness in their diet. This could stem from nutrient deficiencies, imbalances, or even feeding management practices.

Common Hoof Signs of Nutritional Issues

Here are some common hoof signs of nutritional issues to watch for in your horse. I’ll also provide basic recommendations on how to manage your horse’s diet to address these concerns!

Cracking Hooves and Poor Wound Healing

If your horse has cracking hooves, poor hoof growth, or struggles with wound healing, it’s time to assess their current diet. Look for trace mineral adequacy and balance. Ensure you’re feeding a vitamin and mineral source alongside forage.

• Most hay lacks key minerals for hoof health, such as zinc. A hay analysis can help determine how much trace mineral supplementation is necessary.

• Depending on your geographical area, your hay may not provide enough iodine or selenium. Be cautious with selenium, as it can be toxic. Always evaluate the entire diet before adding more.

• A well-matched fortified feed, such as a performance, growth, or senior feed, or a ration balancer or vitamin/mineral premix supplement, can be beneficial when fed at the appropriate rates for your horse.

  
  

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Poor Hoof Growth and Body Condition

If your horse shows poor hoof growth along with a lacking topline, poor hair coat, or low body condition score, it’s vital to ensure they’re getting enough calories and protein in their diet.

• Poor quality or mature hay, or feeding incorrect amounts of fortified products, may not provide sufficient digestible nutrients for hoof growth.

• While hay can often meet protein requirements, this varies based on the horse's needs and the hay itself. A hay test is recommended for horses with elevated protein needs, such as broodmares and growing horses. If you suspect low hay protein, supplementing with high-quality protein sources like soybean meal, alfalfa meal, or hempseed can help meet your horse's amino acid needs.

  
  

Poor Hoof Quality and Soreness

If your horse exhibits poor hoof quality and shifting soreness, it’s essential to assess the calcium balance in their diet.

• Calcium must be balanced with other minerals like phosphorus. Horses with imbalances may utilize stored calcium from bones and hooves, weakening these structures.

• Be cautious with unfortified bran products or 'whole food' ingredients, as they often have unbalanced calcium and phosphorus ratios.

  
  

Brittle Hooves in Restricted Environments

Horses with brittle or crumbling hooves, especially those in dry lots or over-grazed fields, should have their vitamin and mineral intake assessed.

• Vitamins A and E are naturally found in fresh forages. However, levels in hay deteriorate quickly with storage. Horses without access to pasture or supplemental vitamins may experience poor hoof quality.

• Often, horses on restricted pasture receive inadequate nutrition while trying to control body condition, leading to essential nutrient deficiencies.

• Some horses may benefit from added biotin on top of a balanced diet!

  
  

Signs of Laminitis Risk

If your horse is slightly foot-sore, especially in spring, during droughts, or in the fall when grass has higher sugars, it’s crucial to monitor their body condition and crest scores. Excessive calories and sugars/starches can contribute to laminitis flare-ups.

• Control sources of excess calories and sugars/starches from hay, pasture, and cereal grains.

  
  

Uneven Hoof Rings

Uneven hoof rings or ridges in the hoof wall can indicate a whole-body issue, such as laminitis, metabolic disease, or systemic toxicity.

• Control sugars, starches, and excess calories to manage laminitis rings.

• Assess the diet to ensure you’re not oversupplying any nutrients, as toxicities can compromise hoof health.

  
  

Poor Hoof Quality Despite a Balanced Diet

If your horse has poor hoof quality despite a seemingly balanced diet, consider their digestive health. Take measures to boost both gastric and hindgut health through diet and feeding management.

• Ensure forage availability, quality, and digestible fibers.

• Manage stress and consider environmental factors, as well as physical factors like biomechanics and body comfort.

  
  

Conclusion: The Importance of Nutrition for Hoof Health

Less than ideal hoof health can often be linked to nutritional issues. Ensuring your horse receives a balanced diet is crucial for supporting hoof quality. Hay testing is an excellent way to identify hay suitability and determine where additional supplementation is needed.

Need assistance? We offer on-farm hay testing and interpretation services, as well as an interpretation-only service! Learn more about the forage-related services here: www.honosnutrition.ca/nutrition

Since hoof health is multi-factorial, I recommend working with a qualified hoof care practitioner, vet team, and nutritionist to support horses with chronic concerns or disorders. Don’t forget the impact of environmental, mental, and physical stress!

Are you ready to support your horse's hooves with nutrition? Check out our individualized nutrition consult options, or bundle a nutrition consult with a hay test with the Feed & Forage Club!

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