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: How important are adding various supplements to my horse’s daily ration?
By Kentucky Equine Research staff
A: Supplements have become a fact of life in many modern horse-feeding schemes, and rightly so, as these specialized products have improved the lives of countless horses. When it comes time to tighten the belt though, supplements might be the first place for a horse owner to look for possible over usage.
For instance, an equine nutritionist can help determine if you’re overfeeding vitamins and minerals through unwarranted supplementation. This is often the case when a horse is being fed a full measure of fortified feed and also having it top-dressed with a vitamin and mineral product. Over supplementation saps a horse-keeping budget and may compromise a horse’s health.
Located in Versailles, Ky., Kentucky Equine Research is an international research, consulting and product development firm working in the areas of equine nutrition and sports nutrition.
Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by W.F. Young Co. (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 September 15, 2016 installment: How do I know when I need to be adding biotin to my horse's diet for improved hoof quality and growth?
Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.