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 any truth to the idea that continuous daily feeding of some dewormers can lead to stronger and faster growing hooves?

A: Besides protecting horses against clinical and subclinical diseases caused by worms such as strongyles, roundworms and pinworms, some manufacturers in the past have touted additional benefits resulting from improved health. This has included possible benefits, such as increasing feed efficiency by as much as 35% compared to horses that are treated with purge-style dewormers. Other potential benefits include a reduced incidence of colic and foal pneumonia, along with less need for hair and hoof conditioners.

In the past, some manufacturers reps have also informally cited undocumented conversations that they’ve heard from owners and veterinarians that this use of dewormers could also result in stronger and faster-growing hooves.

The argument has been made that improved absorption of nutrients in a parasite-free intestinal system can mean that more protein is available for building a higher quality hoof wall. But is the case in most everyday situations, other factors such as genetics, may cloud the issue.

This question and answer was taken from “Feeding The Hoof, An American Farriers Journal Special Hoof-Care Management Report."

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 1 of the September 1, 2015 installment: Is there any value to adding gelatin to a horse’s ration?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.