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 1 of the latest question and answer installment that you can share with your footcare clients.

Q: Are hoof nutrition needs different during the winter months?

By Jamie Brooks

A: Winter can often pose nutritional concerns for horses living in the northern states. The National Research Council does a good job of documenting the severe decline in vitamin A and vitamin E levels in hay over time. Their research findings  point to well-documented vitamin A and E deficiencies in horses that are limited to being fed aged hay and straight grains during late winter and early spring.

This is a widespread, well-documented phenomenon that poses real risks to northern horses during the winter months, especially for mares in gestation or lactation.

Jamie Brooks is a former nutrition consultant with Vita-Flex Nutrition.

Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by W.F. Young Co. (Absorbine). Absorbine

Like many significant achievements, Absorbine® grew out of humble beginnings—and through the tenacity of someone willing to question the status quo. In this case, it was a young woman in late 19th-century Massachusetts: Mary Ida Young. Her husband, Wilbur Fenelon Young, was an enterprising piano deliveryman who relied on the couple’s team of horses to make deliveries throughout the Northeast. Inspired by Mary Ida and Wilbur’s vision, Absorbine® has continued to add innovative products throughout the years — products used every day by horse owners around the world. Which is why, since 1892, we’ve been The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name®.

Click here to read Part 2 of the July 1, 2015 installment: Can dietary excesses be bad for a horse’s hooves?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.