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: What’s the role of phosphorus in a horse’s diet and does it have an impact on hoof quality?

By Connie Larson, PhD

A: Phosphorus accounts for 14% to 17% of the makeup of the bones in horses and it is also important for maintaining skeletal soundness.

The role of this macro mineral not only includes skeletal development and maintenance, but it also provides needed buffering and energy metabolism. Phosphorus also plays an important role in the synthesis of phospholipids, nucleic acids and the phosphorus proteins that are needed for cellular functions.

Connie Larson is a retired equine nutritionist and researcher with Zinpro Corp. in Eden Prairie, Minn. She has been a frequent contributor to American Farriers Journal and has been a speaker at several of the International Hoof-Care Summit.

Click here to read part 2 of the Sept. 9, 2021, installment of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence: How will starving a horse negatively affect hoof growth? Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.