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: Nutritionists keep talking about the value of amino acids when it comes to growing a quality hoof. How important is the need for specific amino acids when it comes to feeding the hoof?

By Joe Pagan, Kentucky Equine Research

A: Researchers have examined the amino acid content of both average and poor-quality hooves. They found a correlation between cystine content and hardness in normal hooves that was not present in poor-quality hooves. The protein of normal hooves contained higher levels of threonine, phenylalanine and proline. Certain of these amino acids are considered essential, which means they cannot be synthesized in the body in sufficient quantities to meet its demand for them.

Joe D. Pagan is the founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research in Versailles, Ky. The company is an international research, consulting and product development firm working in the areas of equine nutrition and sports medicine.

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 December 1, 2015 installment: How does a horse’s overall diet relate to effective hoof nutrition?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.