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Do you ever take a good look at your horse’s hooves? That firm, shiny base your horse wears tells a story about his overall health. We often focus on caring for the outside of the hoof with oils and ointments, but forget that true hoof quality begins where you might not expect it: in the feed trough.
In fact, hoof quality is largely determined by what your horse eats. Just as your hair and nails are a reflection of your diet, your horse’s hooves directly reflect how healthy and balanced his diet is. In this blog, we’ll take you on a journey from the inside out, where you’ll discover how the right nutritional strategy lays the foundation for strong, healthy hooves that will carry your horse for a lifetime.
A horse’s hoof is a complex organ that is constantly growing and renewing. The amino acids a horse needs for hoof growth differ from the amino acids a horse needs for general body growth. This means that an overall healthy diet does not automatically result in optimal hoof quality.
Research indicates that meeting energy requirements may be the first and most important step in improving hoof growth and quality. This is because a horse with a negative energy balance will first expend energy on vital functions such as heart rate and respiration before focusing on “luxury” processes such as hoof growth.
However, overfeeding can also cause hoof problems, such as laminitis. Horses that are overweight and/or fed a diet that is too rich, with too many sugars and starches, are at greater risk for hoof problems and laminitis.
Many healthy substances often lacking in forage are crucial for hoof health, including copper, zinc, selenium and other trace minerals. Research has shown that copper, zinc and manganese minerals are important for good hoof quality, although the exact mechanisms are still the subject of research.
An interesting aspect is that hooves that crumble often lack the nutrient keratin, which your horse produces through synthesis of zinc. This perfectly illustrates how specific nutrients contribute directly to hoof structure.
Before we focus on specific nutrients, the energy base we give our horse must be in order. A horse that is not getting enough energy for its activity level will notice this immediately in reduced hoof quality. This is where Florian’s philosophy of “feeding according to effort” plays a crucial role.
At Florian Horsefood, we believe in the power of mixed forages. Our Mix&Match approach ensures that your horse receives an optimized forage base supplemented with the right vitamins & mineral balancer or primal kibble or support mix, tailored to his specific needs. By mixing different types of roughage in combination with an optimized amount of oil, we create a solid nutritional base that also benefits hoof quality.
In addition to a good forage base, does your horse need extra energy? Then you can supplement that with a healthy primal pellet or balanced support mix. When a horse has enough in his or her roughage, you still need to supplement vitamins and minerals through a good balancer. Simply because there are not enough vitamins and minerals in Western grasses (and therefore in the roughage).
Start with good quality hay: free of mold and dust, low in sugars, adequate fiber and sufficient protein. Unpacked hay is preferred here. This forms the foundation upon which all other nutrients can be built.
Feed your horse mixed roughage that acts as a buffer for calm digestion and supports gut flora. Healthy intestinal flora is essential for the absorption of all nutrients needed for hoof growth.
Protein, energy, vitamins and minerals can greatly improve the quality of hoof growth. Additional amino acids and vitamins specifically can improve hoof quality and stimulate hoof growth.
Hoof condition can be affected by drought, heredity, insufficient exercise or care, or nutritional deficiencies. Especially during dry periods, such as summer, horses benefit from appropriate nutrition that supports hoof quality from the inside out.
Question: how quickly do I see results from dietary adjustments?
Hoof growth is a slow process. It takes approximately 9-12 months for a hoof to be completely renewed. First improvements in new hoof growth are often visible after 2-3 months.
Question: are supplements always necessary?
Not always. A balanced ration can prevent hoof problems. Supplements are especially useful when there are specific deficiencies or in horses with increased needs.
Question: can I overdose with minerals?
Yes, balance is crucial. Too much of certain minerals can interfere with the absorption of other minerals. Therefore, professional advice is important.
At Florian Horsefood, we understand that every horse is unique. We strive for consistently high quality, affordability and customer satisfaction, with a clear commitment to sustainable production.
Our Mix&Match products are designed to feed according to effort and specific needs. By combining different forages with optimized balancers, primal chunks or support mixes, we provide:
Your horse’s hoof quality is a direct reflection of its overall nutritional status. In addition to genetic disposition, nutrition and overall health status greatly influence hoof quality. By focusing on a balanced base ration, supplemented with specific nutrients where needed, you can significantly improve your horse’s hoof quality.
It is important to realize that hoof health is a long-term project. Consistency in nutrition and patience are essential. Start with a strong base of quality forage, provide adequate energy supply matched to the load, and consider targeted supplementation for specific deficiencies.
At Florian Horsefood, we are happy to help you develop the right nutritional strategy for your horse. Because healthy hooves don’t start at the farrier or in the tack room – they start in the feeder.
Want to improve your horse’s hoof quality with natural, balanced nutrition? Discover our Mix&Match products and learn how to feed according to effort. Our experts will be happy to help you put together the perfect feeding plan to suit your horse and its specific needs.
Meet our team at Florian Horsefood at various competitions, events and knowledge nights for a unique and educational experience in horse welfare and healthy nutrition. Or contact us directly – we are happy to share our knowledge on how to optimize your horse’s hoof quality through smart nutritional choices.
Ask your questions about nutrition and hoof quality. Together, we’ll make sure your horse can thrive – from the inside out.
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