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

Q: I know there are a number of different factors affect hoof growth, but does someone have a list of all of them?

By Peter Huntington and Chris Pollitt

A: The major nutritional influences on hoof growth include:

  • Energy intake.
  • Protein and amino acid intake and metabolism.
  • Minerals, such as zinc and calcium.
  • Vitamins, such as biotin and vitamin A.

There are also several other important factors that have a critical bearing on hoof growth:

  • Age.
  • Breed.
  • Genetics.
  • Metabolic rate.
  • Exercise.
  • External temperature.
  • Environmental moisture.
  • Illness.
  • Trimming and shoeing.

Peter Huntington is the director of nutrition with Kentucky Equine Research Australasia. Chris Pollitt is a retired member of the Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit at the University of Queensland in Queensland, Australia, and a member of the International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame.

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 1 of the August 15, 2015 installment: I’m concerned about the impact grazing with my three backyard horses can have on hoof quality and possible laminitis.

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.