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Feed Supplements for Strong Feet
Thin soles, brittle walls, feet won't grow? If your horse has hoof problems, your veterinarian or farrier may suggest a supplement that specifically targets foot health. But with so many different products on the feed store shelves, which one should you choose? Here's what we know about hoof health. (For top farriers' solutions to five common hoof problems, see "Foot Faults," Horse & Rider, February 2003.)
By Barb Crabbe, DVM
- Vitamins. The B-vitamin biotin has been scientifically shown to help promote fast, strong hoof growth. Recommended is a daily dose of 15 milligrams for an average 1,000-pound horse, but smaller doses can also be effective. Some supplements contain other vitamins as well, including vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
- Protein. The amino acids (building blocks of proteins) methionine and lysine are both believed to increase biotin's effectiveness. (You'll also see these listed as dl-Methionine and l-Lysine.) You may also find other amino acids in hoof supplements.
- Minerals. A variety of trace minerals may promote hoof health, including zinc/zinc sulfate, copper, and manganese.
Hoof Supplement Comparison
Here's a comparison of some of the most popular hoof supplements on the market.
Product
Manufacturer | Daily maintenance dose | Ingredients | Cost/
dose
$USD |
Biotin II
MVP,
United Vet Equine,
(800) 328-6652;
unitedvetequine.com
| 1 oz
| 16 mg./biotin; 80 mg/dl-Methionine; 185 mg./l-Lysine; 25 mg/vitamin B6;
75 mg./zinc sulfate.
| $.40 |
| Biotin II 22 x
United Vet Equine,
(800) 328-6652;
unitedvetequine.com
| 1 oz
| 22 mg./biotin; 1,563 mg./sulfur; 1,875 mg./dl-Methionine; 1,563 mg./1-Lysine;
313 mg./l-Cystine; 53 mg./pyridoxine; 50 mg./manganese; 45 mg./zinc; 15 mg./copper; 1 mg./selenium.
| $.64 |
| Farrier's Formula
Life Data Labs, Inc.
(256) 370-7555;
lifedatalabs.com
| 3 oz.
or
85 grams
| 34 grams/crude fiber; 29 grams/crude protein; 17 grams/ash; 15 grams/fat;
6,195 mg./dl-Methionine; 1,091 mg./phenylalinine; 1,081 mg./lysine; 768 mg./glycine; 593 mg./proline; 490 mg./choline; 354 mg./L-Tyrosine; 303 mg./cystine; 260 mg./inositol; 90 mg./copper; 5.25 mg./biotin; 1.2 mg./cobalt; 0.8 mg./iodine.
| .56 |
|
H.B. 15
Farnam Co., Inc.,
(800) 234-2269;
farnam.com
| 1 oz | 15 mg./biotin, plus vitamin B6, lysine, and methionine.
| $.42 |
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Hoof Biotin
Uckele Health Nutrition,
(800) 248-0330;
uckele.com
| 1 tsp
| 16 mg./biotin; 100 mg./zinc; 250 mg./methionine;
100 mg./zinc; 250 mg./methionine.
| $.30 |
|
Horseshoer's Secret
Farnam Co., Inc.,
(800) 234-2269;
farnam.com
| 6 oz
| 49.8 mg./copper; 150 mg. (minimum)/zinc; 7.5 mg. (minimum)/biotin.
| $.40 |
|
HT-20
Vita-Flex Nutrition,
(800) 848-2359;
vita-flex.com
| 1 oz
| 1,500 mg./lysine; 1,800 mg./methionine; 300 mg./cystine;
1,500 mg./sulfur; 50 mg./manganese; 45 mg./zinc; 15 mg./copper; 50 mg./silicon; 50 mg./vitamin B6; 20 mg./biotin.
| $.62 |
| Shoer's Friend
Equine America,
(800) 838-7524;
equine-america.com
| 2 oz
| 7,143 mg./methionine;
1,134 mg./lysine; 95 mg./copper; 266 mg./zinc; 0.8 mg./iodine; 170 mg./manganese; 51 mg./sulfur; 272 mg./inositol; 1,709 mg./glysine; 1,109 mg./proline; 762 mg./ hydroxyproline; 635 mg./tyrosine; 490 mg./choline; 1,312 mg./vitamin C; 40 mg./vitamin B6; 6.25 mg./biotin.
| $.40 |
| Source HF (Focus)
Source,
(800) 232-2365;
4source.com
| 1/2 oz
| 5,000 parts-per-thousand (ppm)/zinc; 1,000 ppm/copper; 1,000 ppm /iron; 6 mg./biotin.
| $.55 |
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