A horse’s hoof is key to the animal’s health and well-being--no hoof, no horse. Nutrition and conscientious hoof care are essential. Steady maintenance during the winter months serves as a precursor to resilient hooves during warmer riding weather.

Daily supplementation of key nutrients--including biotin, methionine, lysine, zinc, copper and MSM--help to sustain the strength of the hoof wall. These essentials are commonly found in pastures, hay and grains. Extensive farming, improper fertilization and poor storage of hay often lead to deficiencies in these components. Premium hays may be protein- and mineral-deficient due to poor cutting practices and extended storage. These problems occur most frequently in the winter months, when the pastures are covered in snow. Therefore, providing regular doses of nutrients will help your horse to maintain healthy hooves year-round.

How can you guarantee that your horse will receive the right nutrients on a regular basis? Supplements such as Farnam’s Next Level® Hoof Fluid and Horseshoer’s Secret® contain everything needed for healthier hooves. These nutrients include biotin, a water-soluble vitamin not easily stored in the body; copper and zinc, essential for hoof wall strength (zinc also stimulates enzymatic activity and supports a healthy immune system); methionine and lysine, building blocks for protein synthesis (lysine also stimulates growth, helps maintain nitrogen balance in the body and appears to help absorption and conservation of calcium); and MSM, a natural anti-inflammatory that helps keep skin, coat and hooves healthy.

Next Level Hoof Fluid is an easy-to-give liquid supplement that can be top dressed, drizzled on hay, fed in the water or administered with a dosing syringe – eliminating the waste of powders and crumbles that easily fall to the bottom of a horse’s feed. Horseshoer’s Secret is scientifically designed to provide optimum nutrition for healthy hooves. The unique pellet formula contains only pure and digestible ingredients, including biotin, complete protein, mineral complexes, key amino acids, yeast culture and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients work together to help prevent cracked hooves, strengthen hoof walls, and restore normal hoof growth. Horseshoer’s Secret is also an official product of the American Farrier’s Association.

More Tips

Trim hooves every six weeks regardless of the season. Overgrown hooves on icy conditions are a recipe for cracked or chipped hooves. In most parts of the country, winter tends to bring less activity around the barn, and hooves are cleaned, trimmed or picked out less often than in warmer months. In the winter, when horses spend their days standing in stalls, it is vital to care for and maintain their hooves. Standing in stalls with dirty feet can lead to disease and infection, something that could take months to heal. Remember, it takes nine months for a hoof to fully grow out! Nutrition, maintenance, and prevention are the keys to proper hoof health and winterizing your horse. Otherwise, February and March may bring trouble that could last until fall.