All horses in all life stages are susceptible to deficiencies and subsequent adverse effects, early and late life stages are particularly important times to monitor your horse’s diet. For example, “The aging digestive system of a senior horse may be less efficient at absorption or production of nutrients in the hindgut, such as B vitamins. Supplementation with (this and other) constituents that target the hoof may benefit senior horses.

The Building Blocks

Protein and energy (including glucose and fatty acids) have important roles in hoof health due to the hooves’ structural makeup of protein and keratin (the main fibrous component of hair and hooves). Adequate energy is required by all equine tissues for optimal growth and development; hooves require relatively large amounts of readily available glucose compared to other tissues. Other nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are also important.

Proteins These are comprised of amino acids linked together; digestion breaks these chemical bonds to release amino acids for absorption and use by all tissues. As sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine are important hoof structure building blocks, particularly of keratin and cell envelope proteins that create cornified hoof wall. Amino acids play major roles as structural components of proteins and enzymes. As an essential amino acid, methionine isn’t synthesized in the body, so must be provided in the diet. Consequently, many hoof supplements are fortified with methionine and other sulfur-containing amino acids to support hoof growth and strength. Nonetheless, high-quality protein sources usually supply sufficient organic sulfur to support hoof health.

Vitamins With the exception of A and E, vitamins are produced within the body–the horse synthesizes vitamins D, C, and niacin, while other B vitamins and vitamin K are produced by large intestinal microbial residents. Green grass/hay contains abundant vitamins A, D, E, K, and some B vitamins

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in cell differentiation and integrity, and there are reports that its deficiency contributes to coronary band inflammation. Vitamin A deficiency might occur alongside zinc deficiency. (Read more about vitamin function in horses in The ABCs of Vitamin Nutrition.)

Biotin This is a key component of hoof supplement products–it is a water-soluble B vitamin normally produced in a horse’s hindgut and used to form a cementing substance for cell adhesion during hoof wall cornification. It is also found naturally in grains, bran, and yeast.

Minerals

Copper A copper-dependent enzyme, thiol oxidase, is required for building disulfide bonds in keratin. Copper, therefore, affects the strength and rigidity of the outer hoof wall’s fully cornified cells and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes that protect cell membranes. All natural feedstuffs contain copper, but sometimes not in concentrations to meet equine nutritional requirements–especially in hay. Most fortified commercial feeds contain copper that meets equine dietary requirements.

Zinc is required for maintenance, repair, and reproduction of epithelial (outer surface tissue) cells, including hoof wall epidermal cells. Zinc is a component of enzymes necessary for synthesis of keratins, keratin-associated proteins, cell envelope proteins, collagen, and lipoproteins, all contributing to hoof strength and function. Zinc also has an antioxidant role. Like copper, zinc is found in all natural feedstuffs, but it might be found in less-than-adequate amounts in hay; it is best supplemented through fortified feeds.

Manganese This mineral is important to chondroitin sulfate synthesis that’s integral to joint cartilage maintenance and bone matrix formation; therefore, it contributes to internal foot structures’ health. Manganese is also an antioxidant. Grass/hay  is a manganese source, along with dietary supplementation when not provided in adequate amounts.

Selenium is an essential mineral, a component of an enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) that aids in cell membrane protection. Selenium works in tandem with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Because selenium deficiency leads to impaired immune responses, it is not uncommon for horse owners to feed selenium-fortified supplements. But excess supplementation can lead to toxicity with severe symptoms.

Calcium This mineral is necessary for cell-to-cell attachment within hoof horn and for metabolism of intercellular lipids. Natural feedstuffs contain calcium, but grains contain higher amounts of phosphorus than calcium–this can inhibit calcium absorption. Forages with acceptable calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (never less than 1:1) might not sufficiently balance inverted ratios created by feeding unfortified grains.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fats create a necessary barrier to prevent permeability in the hoof–intracellular lipids assist in cell-to-cell adhesion to keep bacteria and fungi from penetrating hoof horn. “Diets containing adequate levels of fat are beneficial to the hoof, but specific fatty acid requirements are not yet defined for horses,” said Young.

Take-Home Message

Equine nutritionists advocate adding a concentrated source of all essential nutrients (adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals) to support all body functions. However, consult your veterinarian or nutritionist before making major dietary changes, and be wary of oversupplementation. Horse owners should remember that it will take time following dietary modifications for new, healthy horn to reach the ground surface with appreciable results.

All horses in all life stages are susceptible to deficiencies and subsequent adverse effects, early and late life stages are particularly important times to monitor your horse’s diet. For example, “The aging digestive system of a senior horse may be less efficient at absorption or production of nutrients in the hindgut, such as B vitamins. Supplementation with (this and other) constituents that target the hoof may benefit senior horses.

The Building Blocks

Protein and energy (including glucose and fatty acids) have important roles in hoof health due to the hooves’ structural makeup of protein and keratin (the main fibrous component of hair and hooves). Adequate energy is required by all equine tissues for optimal growth and development; hooves require relatively large amounts of readily available glucose compared to other tissues. Other nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are also important.

Proteins These are comprised of amino acids linked together; digestion breaks these chemical bonds to release amino acids for absorption and use by all tissues. As sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine are important hoof structure building blocks, particularly of keratin and cell envelope proteins that create cornified hoof wall. Amino acids play major roles as structural components of proteins and enzymes. As an essential amino acid, methionine isn’t synthesized in the body, so must be provided in the diet. Consequently, many hoof supplements are fortified with methionine and other sulfur-containing amino acids to support hoof growth and strength. Nonetheless, high-quality protein sources usually supply sufficient organic sulfur to support hoof health.

All horses in all life stages are susceptible to deficiencies and subsequent adverse effects, early and late life stages are particularly important times to monitor your horse’s diet. For example, “The aging digestive system of a senior horse may be less efficient at absorption or production of nutrients in the hindgut, such as B vitamins. Supplementation with (this and other) constituents that target the hoof may benefit senior horses.

The Building Blocks

Protein and energy (including glucose and fatty acids) have important roles in hoof health due to the hooves’ structural makeup of protein and keratin (the main fibrous component of hair and hooves). Adequate energy is required by all equine tissues for optimal growth and development; hooves require relatively large amounts of readily available glucose compared to other tissues. Other nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are also important.

Proteins These are comprised of amino acids linked together; digestion breaks these chemical bonds to release amino acids for absorption and use by all tissues. As sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine are important hoof structure building blocks, particularly of keratin and cell envelope proteins that create cornified hoof wall. Amino acids play major roles as structural components of proteins and enzymes. As an essential amino acid, methionine isn’t synthesized in the body, so must be provided in the diet. Consequently, many hoof supplements are fortified with methionine and other sulfur-containing amino acids to support hoof growth and strength. Nonetheless, high-quality protein sources usually supply sufficient organic sulfur to support hoof health.

Vitamins With the exception of A and E, vitamins are produced within the body–the horse synthesizes vitamins D, C, and niacin, while other B vitamins and vitamin K are produced by large intestinal microbial residents. Green grass/hay contains abundant vitamins A, D, E, K, and some B vitamins

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in cell differentiation and integrity, and there are reports that its deficiency contributes to coronary band inflammation. Vitamin A deficiency might occur alongside zinc deficiency. (Read more about vitamin function in horses in The ABCs of Vitamin Nutrition.)

Biotin This is a key component of hoof supplement products–it is a water-soluble B vitamin normally produced in a horse’s hindgut and used to form a cementing substance for cell adhesion during hoof wall cornification. It is also found naturally in grains, bran, and yeast.

Minerals

Copper A copper-dependent enzyme, thiol oxidase, is required for building disulfide bonds in keratin. Copper, therefore, affects the strength and rigidity of the outer hoof wall’s fully cornified cells and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes that protect cell membranes. All natural feedstuffs contain copper, but sometimes not in concentrations to meet equine nutritional requirements–especially in hay. Most fortified commercial feeds contain copper that meets equine dietary requirements.

Zinc is required for maintenance, repair, and reproduction of epithelial (outer surface tissue) cells, including hoof wall epidermal cells. Zinc is a component of enzymes necessary for synthesis of keratins, keratin-associated proteins, cell envelope proteins, collagen, and lipoproteins, all contributing to hoof strength and function. Zinc also has an antioxidant role.” Like copper, zinc is found in all natural feedstuffs, but it might be found in less-than-adequate amounts in hay; it is best supplemented through fortified feeds.

Manganese This mineral is important to chondroitin sulfate synthesis that’s integral to joint cartilage maintenance and bone matrix formation; therefore, it contributes to internal foot structures’ health. Manganese is also an antioxidant. Grass/hay  is a manganese source, along with dietary supplementation when not provided in adequate amounts.

Selenium is an essential mineral, a component of an enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) that aids in cell membrane protection. Selenium works in tandem with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Because selenium deficiency leads to impaired immune responses, it is not uncommon for horse owners to feed selenium-fortified supplements. But excess supplementation can lead to toxicity with severe symptoms.

Calcium This mineral is necessary for cell-to-cell attachment within hoof horn and for metabolism of intercellular lipids. Natural feedstuffs contain calcium, but grains contain higher amounts of phosphorus than calcium–this can inhibit calcium absorption. Forages with acceptable calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (never less than 1:1) might not sufficiently balance inverted ratios created by feeding unfortified grains.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fats create a necessary barrier to prevent permeability in the hoof–intracellular lipids assist in cell-to-cell adhesion to keep bacteria and fungi from penetrating hoof horn. “Diets containing adequate levels of fat are beneficial to the hoof, but specific fatty acid requirements are not yet defined for horses,” said Young.

Take-Home Message

Equine nutritionists advocate adding a concentrated source of all essential nutrients (adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals) to support all body functions. However, consult your veterinarian or nutritionist before making major dietary changes, and be wary of oversupplementation. Horse owners should remember that it will take time following dietary modifications for new, healthy horn to reach the ground surface with appreciable results.

With the exception of A and E, vitamins are produced within the body–the horse synthesizes vitamins D, C, and niacin, while other B vitamins and vitamin K are produced by large intestinal microbial residents. Green grass/hay contains abundant vitamins A, D, E, K, and some B vitamins

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in cell differentiation and integrity, and there are reports that its deficiency contributes to coronary band inflammation. Vitamin A deficiency might occur alongside zinc deficiency. (Read more about vitamin function in horses in The ABCs of Vitamin Nutrition.)

Biotin This is a key component of hoof supplement products–it is a water-soluble B vitamin normally produced in a horse’s hindgut and used to form a cementing substance for cell adhesion during hoof wall cornification. It is also found naturally in grains, bran, and yeast.

Minerals

Copper A copper-dependent enzyme, thiol oxidase, is required for building disulfide bonds in keratin. Copper, therefore, affects the strength and rigidity of the outer hoof wall’s fully cornified cells and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes that protect cell membranes. All natural feedstuffs contain copper, but sometimes not in concentrations to meet equine nutritional requirements–especially in hay. Most fortified commercial feeds contain copper that meets equine dietary requirements.

Zinc is required for maintenance, repair, and reproduction of epithelial (outer surface tissue) cells, including hoof wall epidermal cells. Zinc is a component of enzymes necessary for synthesis of keratins, keratin-associated proteins, cell envelope proteins, collagen, and lipoproteins, all contributing to hoof strength and function. Zinc also has an antioxidant role.Like copper, zinc is found in all natural feedstuffs, but it might be found in less-than-adequate amounts in hay; it is best supplemented through fortified feeds.

Manganese This mineral is important to chondroitin sulfate synthesis that’s integral to joint cartilage maintenance and bone matrix formation; therefore, it contributes to internal foot structures’ health. Manganese is also an antioxidant. Grass/hay  is a manganese source, along with dietary supplementation when not provided in adequate amounts.

Selenium is an essential mineral, a component of an enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) that aids in cell membrane protection. Selenium works in tandem with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Because selenium deficiency leads to impaired immune responses, it is not uncommon for horse owners to feed selenium-fortified supplements. But excess supplementation can lead to toxicity with severe symptoms.

Calcium This mineral is necessary for cell-to-cell attachment within hoof horn and for metabolism of intercellular lipids. Natural feedstuffs contain calcium, but grains contain higher amounts of phosphorus than calcium–this can inhibit calcium absorption. Forages with acceptable calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (never less than 1:1) might not sufficiently balance inverted ratios created by feeding unfortified grains.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fats create a necessary barrier to prevent permeability in the hoof–intracellular lipids assist in cell-to-cell adhesion to keep bacteria and fungi from penetrating hoof horn. “Diets containing adequate levels of fat are beneficial to the hoof, but specific fatty acid requirements are not yet defined for horses,” said Young.

And Finally;

Equine nutritionists advocate adding a concentrated source of all essential nutrients (adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals) to support all body functions. However, consult your veterinarian or nutritionist before making major dietary changes, and be wary of oversupplementation. Horse owners should remember that it will take time following dietary modifications for new, healthy horn to reach the ground surface with appreciable results.