Question

How can I prevent my horse’s hooves from cracking and breaking? What can I do to help make them stronger?

Answer

A two-prong approach centering around nutrition and timely farriery encourages hoof growth and strength, and will in time rid hooves of unsightly and unhealthy damage.

Nutrition plays a significant role in hoof integrity. A well-balanced diet fed consistently over an extended period of time will do much to encourage hoof health. Daily supplementation with approximately 20 mg of biotin, a B-vitamin, has resulted in significant improvement in overall hoof condition. For horses that need a higher level of hoof-related nutrients, Kentucky Equine Research offers Bio-Bloom PS (Bio-Bloom HF in Australia) to provide additional support for hoof quality and growth.

Biotin only invigorates new hoof growth, though, and will not improve existing hoof wall. Because of this, the positive effects of biotin supplementation may take from eight months to over a year to surface, the length of time necessary for the hoof wall to completely replace itself. Whether or not the horse must remain on biotin supplementation throughout its life depends on the individual.

If poor hoof quality is a result of neglect, a horse may be tapered off the supplement following complete restoration of the hoof wall. If, on the other hand, hoof weakness is genetically linked, a horse may require lifelong supplementation.

Locating a farrier that is successful with problem hooves and allowing enough time for him to ply his trade are two important factors in hoof maintenance. It is unreasonable to think that a farrier can repair damaged hooves in one or two visits. The farrier may request more frequent visits than normal, particularly in the spring and summer months when hooves tend to grow faster and an increased likelihood of chipping and cracking exists. By offering a balanced diet and following the farrier’s instructions to the letter, owner should notice hooves becoming stronger and more resistant to breakage.