The hoof of a horse plays a crucial role in its ability to survive and function. Horses are large, heavy animals and considering their athletic abilities, it is impressive to think of how much the relatively small hoof has to support. The hoof is a biomechanical engineering miracle, and it takes a combination of many varied elements to function. Great hooves come from thriving horses with good management, well-maintained hooves, a good environment and plenty of movement.
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The overall well-being of the horse affects the hooves, and we need to look at the whole horse. It can be tempting to buy a product that promises better hoof health, but many factors come into play. Nutrition is vital in keeping the horse and hooves healthy and strong. If we feed too much of something, the horse may develop laminitis, while too little can result in thin soles or cracked hooves. A holistic view of the horse's hoof health is essential to achieve good results, and it will help your horse thrive and develop healthy hooves. Most horse owners know the old saying, "No hoof... No horse", but maybe we should think the other way around and say: ”No Horse… No Hoof”.
The earliest horses had three or four functional toes. Through evolution over millions of years, horses lost their lateral toes and developed a single hoof. The remains of the other tiny toes can still be found on the bones above their hoofs. The lower limb structure of the horse contains the same bones as a human hand, and a horse carries all its weight on what is equivalent to our middle finger. Old myths claim that white hooves are weaker than black hooves, but there is no scientific evidence. There is no quality difference between white or black hooves on the same horse, and different hoof pigmentation makes no difference when it comes to hardiness.
The hoof is a complex structure that consists of three main parts: the wall, the sole and the frog.
The hoof wall is the outside of the hoof, a horny structure that protects the inside structures from the coronary band and down. It is made of keratin and does not contain any blood vessels or nerves. The coronary band is where the hairline of the upper limb meets the hoof capsule of the horse. This structure is responsible for the continuous growth of the hoof wall during the horse’s lifetime.
The sole is the hoof's underside, but most of the sole is not in contact with the ground due to its concave shape. The sole is designed to protect the inside of the hoof and bear the weight through the edge of the sole rather than the weight from the ground. If you lift the hoof, you will notice a white line at the edge of the hoof. This is the junction between the hoof wall and sole, and the tissues of the white line attach the sole to the inner wall. If the white line is damaged, there is a risk of bacteria entering the hoof and contaminating the inner layers of the hoof wall. The horse may become lame if the infection spreads through the hoof.
The frog is a rigid triangular-shaped structure that points down from the heels, and it is more flexible than the rest of the hoof. It consists of 50 % moisture that creates a spongy cushion that acts like a shock absorber and a pump during movement. It absorbs the impact when the weight of the horse's limb is pressed down on the frog, and it assists in circulating blood back up through the legs again. The frog also aids the horse in feeling his feet and the surface he is on.
The hoof grows approximately one to two cm per month, and in essence, the horse grows a new hoof every year. Hoof growth is correlated to heart rate. Young horses have a higher heart rate, and their hooves grow twice as fast as older horses. The growth of hooves is also influenced by climate. The hooves overgrow in the spring, whilst the growth rate is slower during winter.
Nutritional support is essential for growing good hooves, but hoof health reflects the horse's health in general. If you are dealing with hoof problems that stem from inadequate nutrition, it can be worth analysing your hay or pasture. Any hoof supplements must be balanced with the forage and working with an equine nutritionist can help you provide your horse with a balanced diet. Excess vitamins and minerals can be just as harmful as deficiencies. Too much zinc can compromise the metabolizing of copper and iron. Selenium can build strong hooves, but excessive amounts compromise the horn’s quality. The slow growth of the hoof can be challenging, as it can take time before the adjustments in the diet will show up.
Horses rely on a solid foundation. The hooves not only bear weight, but they must also resist wear, absorb shock, and assist in blood flow. The hoof is an expression of the horse's general well-being, and not one diet can be applied to every horse. A sound hoof is the overall result of good nutrition, health care, genetics and good horse keeping. Remember, the diet you give your horse today is tomorrow's hoof, so give your horse a chance for good health and longevity.
The hoof structure is made up of a protein named keratin, which adds strength to the hooves and gives the hoof the ability to be flexible, robust and hardy. Keratin is made up of amino acids that exist naturally in the hoof. Overfeeding or adding individual amino acids can cause an imbalance in the diet. Quality hay and forage, with a wide range of grasses and herbs, make a good base for the protein intake of the horse. Flaxseed, alfalfa hay and brewer’s yeast are also good protein sources.
Hooves grow strong if the horse consumes enough energy. If the horse consumes fewer calories than he uses, he will save energy for the vital organs and the hooves will not be provided with what they need. On the other hand, if the horse consumes a diet rich in sugar and starch, he will risk developing laminitis, a disease where the laminae structures inside the hoof fail to support the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. Severely overweight horses have a higher chance of developing diabetes-like metabolic disturbances like problems related to obesity in humans.
The outer layer of the hoof also contains fat, which forms a barrier and makes the hoof structure water-repellent. It keeps the moisture in the inner layers of the hoof and prevents bacteria from contaminating the softer tissue behind the hoof wall. Grazing will give the horse what he needs in the form of fatty acids, but if the horse is on a diet of hay only, he will need a supplement. This could be flaxseeds or chia seed, which closely resembles the fatty acids found in fresh grass. Vegetable oils added to the horse's diet can also benefit the hoof structure and other structures beyond the hoof. It is safe to feed and a good source of energy.
Vitamins are essential for the proper nutrition of the horse. Some vitamins like A and E are obtained via food, while vitamins as B, C, D and K are produced in the body. Especially vitamin B, the biotin, is connected to the growth and the quality of the hoof. Biotin is produced in the horse's hindgut, and there is little evidence that giving extra biotin will help a healthy horse. However, older horses can have weaker functioning indigestion and can benefit from added biotin. Biotin can also help horses that suffer from an intestinal disease or horses on antibiotics which disturb the natural intestinal flora. A source of highly digestible fibre, like beet pulp, can benefit the hindgut of the horses and thus improve the production of biotin.
Copper is an essential mineral in forming keratin. Forage does not contain enough copper, so it is vital to supplement the horse to meet its nutritional needs. Seeds and millet contain natural sources of copper.
Zink is one mineral that plays an essential part in wellfunctioning hooves. Weak hooves are sometimes linked to low levels of zinc in the blood. Zink can lead to the production of a better horn. Studies have shown that horses on a diet low in zinc and copper are more likely to develop White Line Disease, which weakens the hoof. It’s all about finding an equilibrium in the nutrients.
Calcium is necessary to bind cells to each other in the horn of the hoof. Feeding the correct amount is of utmost importance, as too much phosphorous can interfere with the horse's calcium absorption. This can cause several health problems, whilst a lack of calcium can weaken the hooves.
Selenium is a mineral that helps to protect cell membranes. Selenium must be administered with care, as overfeeding the horse can lead to poisoning and severe symptoms. Always consult your veterinarian before giving supplements to your horse. Brewer's yeast is an excellent source of selenium.
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KELLON, E. (2007). Diseases leading to laminitis and the medical management of the LAMINITIC Horse. Equine Podiatry, 370–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-072160383-4.50024-4