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 there any value to adding gelatin to a horse’s ration?

By E.A. Ott

A: A review of the nutrition research literature from around the world has shown that adding gelatin to the horse’s diet does not appear to affect either hoof growth or hoof quality.

However, other research has indicated that adding gelatin to the growing ration of young horses led to a reduction in hoof-specific gravity, but had little impact on the tensile strength of the hoof.

E.A. Ott is an equine nutrition researcher at the University of Florida.

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 September 1, 2015 installment: Is there any truth to the idea that continuous daily feeding of some dewormers can lead to stronger and faster growing hooves?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.