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: With horses that are prone to laminitis, is it important to do an analysis of the hay you feed?
By Kate Robinson, DVM
Since diet is an important component of hoof health, it is best to have your hay analyzed to make sure horses are getting the best possible diet. A chemical hay analysis helps determine if the forage is an appropriate feed for horses that are prone to laminitis. It also lets us know horses are getting the proper levels of the vitamins, minerals and proteins they need for quality hooves.
Kate Robinson is an equine veterinarian, field service clinician and assistant professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
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 2 of the March 1, 2017 installment: With horses that have a history of laminitis, is it okay to feed whole oats?
Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.