Q: My farrier says small amounts of zinc fed daily are essential for hoof growth. Do I need to be concerned?

By Kentucky Equine Research staff

A: Horses need very small amounts of zinc daily. Don’t be fooled by the low daily requirements, though, this micronutrient plays a vital role in overall well-being of the horse.

Many body functions rely on zinc, including hoof growth and quality, maintenance of the immune system, cell division and membrane integrity, wound healing, growth and maturation, DNA synthesis, cellular metabolism and neurological function. Found to be essential for carbohydrates and lipid metabolism, zinc also supports the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate, which is necessary for cartilage formation.

Zinc has low digestibility and retention, but feed manufacturers add zinc at rates that are sufficient for horses in various stages of life.

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.

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^®.