Hoof Nutrition Intelligence Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is a twice-a-month web segment that is designed to add to the education of footcare professionals when it comes to effectively feeding the hoof. The goal of this web-exclusive feature is to zero in on specific areas of hoof nutrition and avoid broad-based articles that simply look at the overall equine feeding situation.

Below you will find Part 1 of the latest question and answer installment that you can share with your footcare clients.

Q: Is it possible to feed too much of one or more supplements to my horses?

By Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS

While proper supplementation can provide numerous benefits, excessive supplementation of any nutrient, even if the nutrient is non-toxic, requires metabolic and organ functions in order to eliminate the nutrient from the body. Overfeeding a supplement is a waste of valuable resources, whether it is in the form of enzyme activity, energy or organ usage, such as the kidneys.

As an example, too much sulphur in the diet can be detrimental to hoof quality. Sulphur is an important nutrient for connective tissue strength and joint health. Our footcare products contain methionine (a sulphur containing amino acids), which supplies the correct amount of sulphur for joint and hoof health.

Joint supplements often contain MSM, an ingredient that contains Sulphur. Unfortunately, this ingredient can lead to over-supplementation of sulphur when combined with other products.

Frank Gravlee is an equine veterinarian and the founder of Life Data Labs, Inc., in Cherokee, Ala

Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by W.F. Young Co. (Absorbine). Absorbine

Like many significant achievements, Absorbine® grew out of humble beginnings—and through the tenacity of someone willing to question the status quo. In this case, it was a young woman in late 19th-century Massachusetts: Mary Ida Young. Her husband, Wilbur Fenelon Young, was an enterprising piano deliveryman who relied on the couple’s team of horses to make deliveries throughout the Northeast. Inspired by Mary Ida and Wilbur’s vision, Absorbine® has continued to add innovative products throughout the years — products used every day by horse owners around the world. Which is why, since 1892, we’ve been The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name®.

Click here to read Part 2 of the Sept. 1, 2018 installment: How do I know what I need when it comes to selecting a hoof supplement?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.