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: What seem to be the biggest challenges facing owners when it comes to feeding their horses?
Data from 2019 survey of farriers
Farriers attending the International Hoof-Care Summit in late January of 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio, were asked to list the biggest concerns they see with owners when it comes to feeding their horses. Here are a half dozen of the biggest challenges:
1. Understanding proper amounts to feed.
2. A lack of nutritional understanding.
3. The need for feeding quality hay and minerals.
4. Misinformation concerning feeding treats and supplements.
5. The high cost of feed.
6. Having horses that are underworked and overfed.
These results were obtained from a survey of farriers conducted during the 2019 International Hoof-Care Summit.
Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by W.F. Young Co. (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 May 1, 2019 installment: Our farrier says my horse has developed an abscess in its left front foot. What should I do and is nutrition involved in these situations?
Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.