Good hoof management is essential if your horse is to remain sound. However, while much can be done from a practical viewpoint, both farriers and nutritionists recognise the influence diet has on hoof quality. For instance, poor quality hoof growth and brittle hooves are regularly attributed to nutritional deficiencies, so in these cases, correct nutritional support plays a vital part in the rehabilitation process.

Nutritional Support for healthy hooves...

One of the most important aspects of keeping the hoof healthy is to ensure that the outer surface membrane, the periople, is in good condition. The periople, which plays an important role in regulating the moisture content of the hoof, can be damaged through riding on hard surfaces and in sand based arenas. This trauma leaves the foot prone to moisture loss, hence becoming cracked and brittle. Biotin, a nutrient naturally synthesised in the horse's gut, plays a vital role in maintaining the condition of the periople. The demands of some modern equine management however, can indicate a need for additional quantities, which is where supplementing the diet with biotin can be extremely useful. However, important points need to be considered. In order to be effective, a biotin supplement has to meet certain criteria. When fed at a standard maintenance rate, the supplement must provide 15mg of biotin per day. The amino acid methionine must be included in the product specification if the supplemented biotin is to be fully utilised by the horse, while additional calcium is also indicated for optimum results.

Sulphur is one of the vital building blocks of keratin, the substance from which the hoof is primarily composed. MSM is a valuable sulphur donor and is therefore an extremely valuable nutrient to support healthy hoof growth. Its effects are even greater when combined with other nutrients important to hoof growth such as calcium, zinc and vitamin A.

Topical Applications for healthy hooves...

Modern research indicates that the traditional practice of applying oil or grease may be ill advised as these have the propensity to stop the foot absorbing moisture and hence upset the natural moisture balance of the hoof. For these reasons, a water-based gel may be more effective. It will directly provide readily absorbed moisture to the hoof, and help to reduce the incidence of drying and cracking.

In contrast, many horses suffer from soft feet. This especially occurs when conditions underfoot are damp, the moisture content of the hoof increases causing the horn to become soft and weak often leading to frequent shoe loss. Unfortunately many bacterial and fungal conditions also thrive in these damp conditions. When symptoms of these are noticed, for example the soles have deteriorated and become soft, apply a zinc sulphate solution, such as Hoof and Sole to help harden and strengthen the horn. This will provide a disinfecting and anti-fungal coating to help address the condition.

Don't take a glossy coat lightly!...

The skin is the largest organ of the horse's body. Therefore, when healthy and glossy it is providing a fair indication that the animal is in good general health.

In general to support good skin and coat condition you should choose a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement, particularly one with a high oil content, such as Oilovite.

However, nutritional support can also play an important role in maintaining skin health for the horse or pony prone to seasonal skin disorders. For example, during the spring and summer months some animals show sensitivities to certain insects, flies and midges; while in the winter some respond badly to exposure to wet and mud. In each of these cases the external irritant triggers a proliferation of free radical toxins within the system. This in turn, leads to the external symptoms associated with seasonal skin conditions becoming evident on the surface of the horses skin. Feeding targeted antioxidants can be effective in helping to address these free radical explosions, thereby directly acting upon the root cause of the condition, rather than simply soothing the symptoms.