What can I do to maintain and support healthy hooves with my two Appaloosa mares?

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 2 of the latest question and answer installment that you can share with your footcare clients.

Q: What can I do to maintain and support healthy hooves with my two Appaloosa mares?

By Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD

A: If you suspect you may be dealing with hoof problems that have a nutritional component, my advice is to have your hay or pasture grasses analyzed. Then  work with an equine nutritionist to provide a nutritional supplement that provides only the nutrients your horse truly needs in a balanced diet.

Excesses are as harmful as deficiencies since they may crowd out the nutrients that are available in low concentrations. When approached in this way, not only are the results far superior, but your costs will be lower. Best of all, you are not only feeding your horse’s feet, as you are correctly feeding every cell in your horse’s body.

Remember too that the horse’s feet are a sensitive indicator of nutrition overall.

Eleanor Kellon is the staff veterinary specialist for Uckele Health & Nutrition. She is an established authority in the field of equine nutrition for over 30 years, and a founding member and leader of the Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance (ECIR) group, whose mission is to improve the welfare of horses with metabolic disorders via integration of research and real-life clinical experience. Prevention of laminitis is the ultimate goal. For more information visit www.ecirhorse.org.

Click here to read part 2 of the June 17, 2021, installment of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence: Can horses eating poisonous plants lead to serious hoof concerns? Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.