Taking care of your horse means looking out for every aspect of their health, as well as all of their grooming and cleaning needs. And within all of these needs, a very important part of your horse that you need to pay special attention to, is the hooves.
After all, your horse is standing all day long, performing all sorts of activities on all sorts of terrains, and if the hooves are in bad condition, your horse will suffer and be in great discomfort. Healthy hooves are always a must!
The best way to ensure that your horse’s hooves are in good condition, growing strong and healthy, is to use a horse hoof supplement. Basically, because the horse hoof supplement will be a little boost to the hoof health, increasing its strength and growth so that the hooves as a whole can be better maintained and taken care of.
The question is, of course, which horse hoof supplement to use, as the market is full of many different product options.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of our top favorite horse hoof supplements, which we consider to be some of the best available. And on top of that, some information on horse hooves, as well as how to take care of them, and why supplements can be of great use!
If that sounds good, then let’s jump right into it!
Best Hoof Supplements
Just in case you need some product suggestions, here is a list of the top 10 best horse hoof supplements, that we absolutely recommend:
Farnam Horseshoer’s Secret Pelleted Hoof Supplement
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First up on our list of favorites, we have the Farnam Horseshoer’s Secret Pelleted Hoof Supplement. This is a highly well-known brand, recommended amongst horse owners, and it is definitely trustworthy and effective.
The secret to its success is the formula, as it is highly nutritive, in order to encourage healthier hoof growth. This product helps strengthen all of the bones in the hoof, as well as connect tissues and heal any damage that might be done.
If you’re giving this to a horse with damaged hooves, whether by disease or injury, it should take around 3 to 4 months to see a visible improvement, as the hooves will very quickly be healed and strengthened.
In fact, it is completely proven by horse owners that this product improves hoof conditions in just a few months, so it is no wonder it is a favorite. Plus, this pelleted hoof supplement also adds resistance against cracks and further hoof issues.
Overall, it regenerates and heals, all while enhancing growth and adding resistance, a great combination for perfectly maintained hooves!
An enclosed scoop of this product equals 6 ounces, and you should feed your horse this every day, for between 6 to 8 months. You should also adjust the dose according to the weight of the horse, and to the rest of the feeding.
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Crude protein, lysine, methionine, phosphorus, calcium, biotin, zinc, and copper. For every 6oz serving, it is 15mg of biotin, 1704mg of lysine, and 2724mg of methionine, to be exact.
Pros
- Easy to digest, comes in pellet form
- Quick recovery and growth of the horse’s hooves
- Wide range of growth vitamins included in the formula
Cons
- Customers rate it as a low on the taste
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Life Data Labs Farriers Formula Double Strength
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Second, on our list, we have the Life Data Labs Farriers Formula Double Strength, an excellent product option that is highly recommended by horse owners.
Plus, it is also Amazon’s product choice, with plenty of positive reviews and ratings. This hoof supplement has been specifically designed and formulated so that it provides all of the nutrients which are essential, and that your horse might not be getting.
It contains many proteins, phospholipids, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It has been a bestselling product for 12 consecutive years, which speaks volumes of its effectiveness and reliability, and it helps grow connective tissues within the hoof for damage repair and healthy growth.
It can also help protect the hoof from diseases, cracks, abscesses, and bruises, by making it stronger and more resistant. It is 100% recommended to horses with lots of daily activity, and for Thoroughbred horses that compete in racing.
As a general rule, you should give your horse half a cup, every day, in order to maintain hoof health. However, if using it to repair hoof damage, you should use the appropriate recommended dose.
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Crude protein, lysine, methionine, crude fiber, calcium, zinc, and copper.
Pros
- Easy to digest and to serve, comes in the form of pellets
- Incredibly reliable and efficient, bestselling and highly recommended
- Rated for tasting good, enjoyed by all horse breeds
Cons
- If the hooves are in very bad condition, this supplement takes longer to show visible improvement (it is better suited to maintenance)
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Manna Pro Sho-Hoof Supplement for Horses
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Another amazing product option on our list is the Manna Pro Sho-Hoof Supplement for Horses, which is a highly popular choice.
It essentially contains Biotin and Chelated Zinc, in order to enhance hoof growth, and within that, there is the 20mg of the recommended daily amount of Biotin required in order to optimize the condition of your horse’s hooves, so that they are well-maintained and healthy.
The formula also contains Omega 3 and amino acids, so that not only are the hooves being improved, but also the skin and the coat. Plus, the antioxidants contained in this product boost up the immune system, for higher resistance.
As it comes in the form of pellets, it is super easy to digest and to serve, and with the multi-purpose of improving both hooves and coats, it is an excellent addition to your horse’s everyday diet.
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Methionine, biotin, zinc, omega 3, and amino acids.
Pros
- Easy to digest and to serve, comes in the form of pellets
- 2-in-1 improves hoof health and coat health
- Contains the recommended daily amount of Biotin to optimize hoof strength
Cons
- Limited amount of flavors available
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Farnam Horseshoer’s Secret Extra Strength Connective Tissue and Hoof Supplement
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Another product option by the Farnam Horseshoer’s Secret brand is this Extra Strength Connective Tissue and Hoof Supplement, ideal for when you want something extra strong, in order to heal an extremely damaged hoof.
So essentially, if your horse’s hoof is getting worse, and other hoof supplements don’t seem to be doing much, this is the answer.
This product is very strong, and it helps repair the hoof, aiding the ligaments and tendons, as well as promoting hydration and moisture retention. It is a huge boost that can kick start the healing process, and once healed, it enhances the strength of the hooves, in order to get them healthy and with better resistance.
The formula works for all horses, but it is specially designed for those horses with extra pressure or demand on their hooves, as well as those with a genetic predisposition or similar problems.
In fact, this product is recommended by both farriers and veterinarians and is known amongst horse owners as the ultimate solution to hoof problems. You should feed around 4ounces a day of this product to your horse, for 6 to 8 months, and once the hooves are healed, reduce to 2 ounces a day for maintenance.
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Biotin, methionine, and lysine.
Pros
- Comes as nuggets that are easy to feed and digest
- The strong formula for hoof repair and enhanced growth, for tough and flexible hooves
- Recommended by farriers and veterinarians for its effectiveness
Cons
- No vitamins included in the formula
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Formula 707 Daily Fresh Packs Equine Supplements
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The Formula 707 Daily Fresh Packs Equine Supplements is another amazing product option recommended by horse owners for hoof maintenance and repair.
The formula for this product has been used since 1946, with quality improvement over time, and proven success and reliability. Every serving contains D-biotin, essential to hoof health, as well as L-lysine, DL-methionine, minerals, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, manganese, and more.
All of the ingredients are in the form of distilled grains, perfect as an addition to a balanced and healthy diet.
The product is great for aiding in hoof healing, as well as nourishing and enhancing the growth, in order to reduce any chance of cracking, crumbling, or disease. Cell growth in the hoof is one of the aims of this product, and it really does deliver!
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Yeast culture, dried grains, methionine, lysine, hydrochloride, and copper.
Pros
- Pre-measured packs for a healthy and balanced diet, very convenient
- Reliable formula, time-tested and efficient
- Great variety of ingredients for hoof health and maintenance
Cons
- Not very effective on severely damaged hooves
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Durvet BIOTIN Daily Hoof Supplement
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Yet another great product option on our list of top picks is the Durvet BIOTIN Daily Hoof Supplement, which is majorly known and praised for having a great flavor that the horses very much enjoy, as the pallets taste of sweet apple!
The product itself is designed to give a boost not only to the hooves but also to the coat and to the digestive system! Plus, it also enhances hoof growth, for stronger and more resistant hooves overall.
The formula is rich in vitamins and nutrients, with methionine to help build up the protein blocks and connective tissues. A daily dose should be enough to maintain hoof health and to improve upon it.
It is one of the bestselling products on Amazon, and another of its major selling points is that it is highly digestive, and adds to the health of the horse’s intestinal tract, which is a huge bonus!
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Biotin, yeast culture dehydrated, flax seed meal, corn distillers dried grains with soluble, and more.
Pros
- Great flavor, pellets that taste of sweet apple
- Highly digestive, boosting the health of the intestinal tract
- Improves hoof health and coat health
Cons
- Doesn’t contain any beneficial vitamins
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Equine Hoof Guard Concentrated Hoof Supplement
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The Equine Hoof Guard Concentrated Hoof Supplement is popular amongst horse owners, regarded as a handy solution to hoof issues, and as a great boost to hoof health in general.
With ingredients such as Biotin, MSM, Methionine, and Zinc within the formula, it helps enhance the growth of new hoof at a faster rate, working with vitamins and other ingredients to also improve the structural proteins, so that the new hoof is stronger and more resistant.
As well as improving the hoof health, this product also enhances the health of the coat, with many boosting nutrients that have long-lasting effects on the horse.
As a matter of fact, the Equine Hoof Guard is the only hoof supplement that we know of with MSM within the formula, which is an ingredient that majorly contributes to the strengthening of structural proteins, for stronger and more flexible hooves.
One ounce per 500lbs of body weight, per day, is the recommended dose, and a scoop is included with the product for convenience.
The Major Ingredients Of This Product Are:
- Biotin, MSM, methionine, and zinc.
Pros
- Highly concentrated formula, with long-lasting effects
- Verified and reliable, made in Oregon, USA
- MSM in the formula for stronger and more flexible hooves
Cons
- Not as many supportive supplements as other similar products
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Manna Pro Hoof Snax Biotin Enriched Treats
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Another product option by the Manna Pro brand (which is a highly popular brand amongst horse owners), is the hoof Snax Biotin Enriched Treats. And just as the name suggests, this product comes in the form of treats, sweet in flavor for the horse’s enjoyment, and ideal for a balanced diet (plus they are convenient to feed with ease!)
They are enriched with biotin, able to enhance tissue strength and improve hoof health, so that they grow stronger and more flexible, with higher resistance to damage. This is perfect as a booster to the everyday diet of your horse, as long as you follow the recommended dose.
The formula includes a huge variety of different products, all of them aimed at reducing hoof disease and issues, supplementing horses both young and old.
Also, the sweet taste of these treats is similar to cinnamon, meaning horses are more than eager to eat them up! For every five treats that you feed your horse, you are supplying 20g of biotin.
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Crude protein, crude fat, fiber, biotin, and many, many more!
Pros
- Great taste, horses love them
- Easy to feed, comes in the form of horse treats
- Wide range of ingredients for hoof health and improvement
Cons
- Only really useful for horses with a biotin deficiency
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AniMed Hoof Medic Supplement
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If you want a more medically official product for the care of your horse’s hooves, then we recommend you check out the AniMed Hoof Medic Supplement, produced by the Animed veterinary company, and therefore completely medically approved for use on horses for their hoof health.
The formula is highly concentrated, and one of its main uses is the better absorption of nutrients so that the hooves can grow stronger than ever.
The supplement comes in a bucket of 4-pounds, and it is an excellent remedy for thin-walled and weakened hooves. Plus, it can accelerate growth and enhance the natural healing of most hoof issues.
One of the other ways in which this Hoof Medic Supplement works is by allowing for the absorption of methionine and trace elements, helping in the recovery of cracks, and similar. All of the combined ingredients are an excellent boost to the overall hoof health, supporting the hoof walls and bones.
As something of interest, it should be mentioned that this product is also equally effective on donkeys! Plus, the supplements also aid in making the coat shinier and healthier. Ideal as a prescribed solution to hoof problems of all sorts, and as general maintenance, it is completely reliable and effective, and favored by many!
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Active soy, brewers yeast, folic acid, methionine, calcium fiber, and more.
Pros
- Produced and approved by a veterinarian company
- Ideal for hoof health, coat health, and donkeys
- Strengthens weakened hooves and provides a boost to the absorption of nutrients
Cons
- It doesn’t taste very good (many horses reject it)
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Kentucky Performance Ker-A-Form Coat And Hoof Supplement
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Last, but not least, on our list of top picks, we have the Kentucky Performance Ker-A-Form Coat and Hoof Supplement. Developed specifically for the improvement of hooves, this supplement is all about keratin, and how it is a necessary component for hair and nails (or in this case hooves).
This is why the combination of ingredients not only boosts the health of the hooves but also of the horse’s coat and hair, for a healthier overall appearance.
One of the key ingredients is oil, which helps reduce the appearance of cracks, and of the invasion of microbes.
It comes in the form of powder and can be mixed in with the rest of the horse’s food. High-performing and with a simple formula, it is popular and commonly known as a bit of a miracle worker, especially as a regularly used booster to hoof health.
The Major Ingredients In This Product Are:
- Ground extruded whole soybeans, DI methionine, yeast culture, ethylenediamine dihydrate, oil, and more.
Pros
- Boosts the natural oil production of the hooves, for regular maintenance and health
- Decreases cracking in the hooves
- Also boosts the health of the coat and hair
Cons
- Only available in a powder form, inconvenient for some
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Hoof Supplement Components To Look Out For
When it comes to horse hoof supplements, the secret is in the formula, and in the ingredients contained. Depending on what the components of the formula are, the supplement will act in one way or another and will be more or less efficient.
There is a wide variety of different ingredients that can be incredibly useful for enhancing the health of hooves, depending on your specific needs. However, there are a few main components that are commonly regarded as the most important or useful in regards to overall hoof health.
Here are the main components to look out for in horse hoof supplements:
Biotin
Biotin is one of the main components to look out for in hoof supplements, with its main function being that it helps convert nutrients into energy. It plays a very big part in the development and growth of hooves, as well as nails in humans! Also known as vitamin H, the vitamin of nails and hair.
Horses Usually Get Biotin In Two Different Ways:
- Through most food and green forages
- Through bacteria in the gut
However, Biotin can also be given to horses as a supplement, to boost the hoof health and help repair the damage. As a general rule, when it is given as a supplement, it is in these three circumstances:
- Your horse is recovering from hoof disease. The biotin, and other supplements, can help the hooves grow better and stronger.
- Your horse has been taking antibiotics, which alter the bacteria in the gut and can therefore lower the production of biotin. The supplement makes up for this.
- Your horse is old, so biotin production is lower. The supplement makes up for this, maintaining the hoof health.
Calcium
Do you know how calcium is commonly known as being an essential component for bones? Well, it is also great for tails and hooves in horses, making it a great component to look out for in supplements.
In fact, according to the NRC (nutrient requirements of horses), a healthy adult horse should consume around 20grams of calcium everyday.
If the horse in question has increased activity (such as a racehorse), then this amount can be increased. And as grains don’t have a lot of calcium in them, adding it as a daily supplement to your horse’s diet is a great idea.
Methionine
Methionine is a vital component that is always good, no matter the supplement. It is the second most crucial vitamin in the diet of horses, and as they cannot produce it naturally, they need to consume it within their daily feeding. This vitamin can help connect cells and strengthen bones, so it is excellent for improving hoof health.
It also encourages the natural healing of any damage or issues present in the hooves, making it great to repair weakened hooves.
As a supplement, it is not only essential in hoof care, but also in the health of the horse’s coat and immune system.
Zinc And Copper
Zinc is highly important for the development of a horse’s hooves, and copper helps in the development of cartilage, so together, they are a great component to look out for in supplements.
Together they also decrease the risk of damage to the epithelial cells, and they also increase the development of keratin, which is directly linked to the growth of hooves and hair.
Zinc is also important for protein synthesis and is vital within horse muscles. They should consume around 400 to 500 mg of zinc every day.
Copper is also incredibly important for connecting cells and tissues, and as an antioxidant. As a general rule, horses should consume between 100 to 200mg every day.
Anatomy Of A Horse Hoof
Horse hooves are incredibly tough, and they’re actually made out of three different layers, each layer with its specific function. So they’re a lot more complex than most people believe! They aren’t just a thick piece of nail, after all!
The three layers of a horse’s hoof are essentially three different bones:
The long pastern bone, the short pastern bone, and the coffin bone at the bottom.
The laminae are what carries blood to every part of the hood, and below it there is a cushion known as the rubber pad. This works as a sort of heal for the horse, absorbing shock from the ground.
There are many other parts to the hoof, but we won’t go into detail on them all or else this will turn into a full-on anatomy lesson!
But here is a picture of the different parts of a horse’s hoof, for reference:
The health of a horse’s hoof is of vital importance, mainly because a horse’s hooves need to be healthy so that the horse can continue to stand and move around without any pain or discomfort.
A horse with damaged hooves is an unhealthy horse, and in the wild, it would not end well. This is why it is so important that you maintain your horse’s hooves, providing the right supplements and ensuring they grow strong, flexible, and resistant to damage.
Should You Use Horse Hoof Supplements?
The answer to this is yes. Mainly because hoof health is of vital importance to a horse, and hoof supplements can be a great way of ensuring the hooves are healthy, well-maintained, and able to recover from damage or other issues.
However, you should be very careful about what supplements you give to your horse, what type, the amount, and when. A horse’s diet needs to be carefully measured out, and you need to know exactly what is in the hoof supplement, so that you know whether it fits within your horse’s diet or not, and in what way.
Always check the ingredients, and the amount in which they are present, and the exact effects that they cause on your horse’s health and diet.
If you’re unsure of what hoof supplement you should give your horse, or whether it even fits within your horse’s diet, you should consult your horse’s veterinarian for a professional opinion on the matter.
Tips On How To Care For Your Horse’s Hooves
Healthy hooves allow a horse to thrive and be happy, able to perform all sorts of exercises and being protected from many different types of injuries and diseases.
Therefore, it is very important that you keep an eye out for your horse’s hoof health, and that you take proactive action in maintaining them so that the hooves are well-taken care of and supplied with the necessary boosts.
If you’re unsure on how to best take care of your horse’s hoof health, here are some of our top tips:
Horseshoe Maintenance
The horseshoes directly affect how your horse interacts with the ground, and how the hooves grow.
This is why it is vital that you regularly maintain the horseshoes, ensuring that they are the right fit, as well as that they are kept clean and safe, for maximum comfort and practicality.
Also, horseshoes should be trimmed, usually every 5 to 8 weeks, depending on the growth rate. (In the winter they tend to grow at a slower rate).
Balanced Position For Hooves
A horse foot, as a general rule, should land on the ground equally from every position, keeping, therefore, a balance all across. If this isn’t the case, then something is probably wrong with the hooves, and it is something that you should be looking into with urgency.
Diet And Nutritional Requirements
Like every part of a horse’s body, the hooves require certain nutrients in order to grow healthy and strong. It is important to know what kind of nutrients and components the hooves need in order to be well-maintained and to check whether these are found in your horse’s daily diet.
Regular Cleaning
You should be cleaning your horse’s hooves quite regularly, depending on the amount of activity your horse partakes in. There are many different tools and products, and you can also give your horse’s hooves many different intensive treatments that will make them feel brand new.
Regular Health Checks
Your horse should have regular health check-ups with the veterinarian, and this should include looking over the health of the hooves. You should also contact the vet if your horse ever displays pain or discomfort when placing its hooves down on the ground.
Hoof Health Supplements
If your horse’s daily diet doesn’t contain the sufficient amount of correct nutrients for hoof health, then you can make up for this through the use of horse hoof supplements, which are a boost to hoof health and growth. These are also very useful for when your horse has damaged hooves, as they can help speed up the recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Keep Your Horse’s Hooves Healthy?
There are many things you can do to ensure your horse’s hooves are healthy. From choosing the right diet and supplements to regular trimming and cleaning, to check-ups with your vet. It is all about keeping a close eye on them and giving them some intensive care every now and then.
What Is The Best Horse Hoof Supplement?
At the beginning of this article, we compiled a list of the top best horse hoof supplements that you can browse through. But at the top of our list, we have the Farnam Horseshoer’s Secret Pelleted Hoof Supplement.
Summary
In conclusion, there are many different horse hoof supplements that you can use on your horse, with the most important thing being that you check the components, so that they may be integrated into the daily diet in a safe and appropriate way.
