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.

This edition is sponsored by the W.F. Young Co. (Absorbine) of East Longmeadow, Mass.

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

Q: One of the other boarders in the barn suggested I ask my farrier for some nutritional advice for the poor quality hooves on my 18-year-old mare. Is that a good idea?

By Steven Duren

Your farrier is not likely to be a nutritionist, but he or she can emphasize the importance of proper nutrition and point you toward someone who can answer your nutrition questions.

A farrier can explain that there are many good products on the market. He or she may also suggest you pick one particular product and get on a good feeding program that will provide the nutrients your horse needs to build a strong hoof.

Stephen Duren is an equine nutrition specialist with Performance Horse Nutrition of Weiser, Idaho.

Click here to read Part 2 of the February 1, 2018 installment: What’s the role of phosphorus in a horse’s diet and does it have an impact on hoof quality?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.