All About Horse Hoof Supplements

Horse hoof supplements are beneficial for horses who need extra vitamins and minerals to keep their hooves healthy and strong. Horse hoofs are actually made from the same biological material as human fingernails. So in the same way people can have strong and healthy fingernails, they can also be brittle and weak if you are deficient in certain ingredients. A horse that lacks certain ingredients in its diet or who is genetically predisposed to having weak hooves is the perfect candidate for horse hoof supplements.

The best hoof supplements for horses will have the following ingredients:

• Methionine - an essential amino acid that has sulfur and is used to create another critical amino acid called cysteine.
• Zinc - is a critical mineral used to help repair and produce the epithelial cells in your horse's hoof wall. It also plays a vital role in lipoprotein production, this is the material that holds your horse's hoof together. Cooper is also critical in this process and both essentially improve the strength of the hoof walls.
• Biotin - this is a B vitamin that helps the hoof cells stick together. This vitamin also plays a role in lipoprotein production.
• Fats - included to help improve the flexibility of the hoof so it can properly expand and contract. This can help prevent cracking. The ingredient many horse hoof supplements use is Lecithin, a phospholipid found in many plants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hoof Supplements for Horses

What supplements help horses’ hooves?

Hoof Supplements for Horses containing Methionine, Zinc, Biotin, and certain kinds of fats are very likely to improve your horse's hoof health when taken regularly.

How can I tell if my horse needs a hoof supplement?

Here are some signs that your horse could benefit from horse hoof supplements:

• Their hooves are dry and frequently crack or chip
• Their hooves are not able to hold their shoes on between farrier appointments (approx. every 6 weeks)
• Their hooves aren’t growing fast enough: they should grow about ¼ - ½’ inch per month
• They have a dull coat

What is the best supplement for cracked hooves?

The best supplements for crack hooves should contain various phospholipids. A hoof conditioner can also be applied externally to help moisten the hoof.

How long does it take for a hoof supplement to work?

It can take 1-2 months of feeding a horse hoof supplement before seeing any results. You should see full results after about a year of using the supplement.