Hoof Nutrition Intelligence Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is a twice-a-month web segment that is designed to add to the education of footcare professionals when it comes to effectively feeding the hoof. The goal of this web-exclusive feature is to zero in on specific areas of hoof nutrition and avoid broad-based articles that simply look at the overall equine feeding situation.

Below you will find Part 2 of the latest question and answer installment that you can share with your footcare clients.

Q: Is there an easy way to improve the blood circulation in the hooves of my mare?

By Lynn Taylor, PhD

A: Keeping hoof inflammation low and promoting good blood circulation in the foot is another component that is affected by what you feed your horses. As a result, low sugar and starch feeds are always a better option for horses who are at risk or with past laminitic or inflamed episodes. 

Calories received from fat and fiber are much better for these horses, which means feeding high quality hay is critical. In my opinion, hay analysis is something every horse owner or farm should use. Many feed companies will do this annually for farms, so I always tell people to ask their feed representative for a hay analysis.

Lynn Taylor is a professor of equine science at Centenary University in Hackettstown, N.J., with a background in equine nutrition.

Click here to read part 1 of the Sept. 30, 2021, installment of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence: Any suggestions on how to better understand what is included in a horse supplement from the feed tag? Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.