Strong, healthy hooves are the foundation of every horse and pony. Whether you compete, hack, breed or simply enjoy spending time with your horse, good hoof health is essential for comfort, soundness and long term wellbeing.
As the old saying goes, "No foot, no horse." It's something I truly believe.
Poor hoof quality can lead to cracks, bruising, slow growth and recurring problems, costing both time and money. While regular trimming or shoeing is essential, nutrition and everyday management play just as important a role in producing strong, resilient hoof horn.
What affects hoof health?
There are many reasons why some horses struggle with their feet, and it's rarely down to just one factor.
Weather and the environment
One of the biggest challenges we face in the UK is the weather. Hooves are constantly exposed to changing conditions, moving from wet fields into dry stables and back again.
When the hoof absorbs water it expands, and as it dries it contracts. Over time this repeated cycle can weaken the hoof wall, creating tiny cracks that may not be visible at first but can gradually develop into larger splits or areas where bacteria and fungi can gain access.
Providing dry standing areas, maintaining clean bedding and avoiding prolonged exposure to wet conditions wherever possible can make a significant difference.
The surfaces they live and work on
Different surfaces place different demands on the hoof.
Deep sand and gravel can increase wear, while stony tracks may bruise horses with thinner soles. Horses travelling over varied terrain need hooves capable of coping with these changing demands.
Conformation and genetics
Some horses are naturally blessed with excellent feet, while others need a little more support.
Certain breeds are predisposed to particular hoof characteristics. Thoroughbreds often have thinner hoof walls and flatter feet, Warmbloods may have more upright feet with contracted heels, and some Connemaras can carry the genetic mutation responsible for Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD).
While good farriery helps manage these challenges, nutrition provides the building blocks needed to produce the healthiest hoof possible.
Feeding for stronger hooves
Improving hoof quality isn't a quick fix.
From the coronary band to the ground, it takes approximately 9 -12 months for a completely new hoof wall to grow. That means any nutritional changes you make today may take several months before you begin to see the full benefits.
Around 90 - 95% of the hoof wall is made up of keratin, a tough structural protein similar to that found in our hair and nails. Producing strong keratin relies on supplying the horse with the right nutrients every day.
Biotin... an important piece of the puzzle
Biotin is probably the nutrient most horse owners think of when discussing hoof supplements.
Research has shown that feeding appropriate levels of biotin can improve hoof horn quality and support healthy hoof growth, particularly in horses with poor quality feet.
However, biotin doesn't work in isolation. Healthy hoof horn depends on having all of the nutrients required to build keratin, not simply one vitamin.
Methionine and cysteine... building strength from the inside
The hoof wall owes much of its strength to tiny chemical links within the keratin protein called disulphide bonds. These bonds act like the rivets in a steel bridge, holding keratin fibres together and giving the hoof its strength, resilience and resistance to cracking.
To create these important bonds, the horse needs plenty of sulphur containing amino acids.
Methionine is an essential amino acid, meaning horses cannot produce it themselves and it must be supplied through the diet. Once absorbed, methionine is converted by the liver into cysteine, the amino acid most heavily involved in keratin production.
Cysteine provides the sulphur needed to form the disulphide bonds that give hoof horn its structural integrity. Without enough methionine and cysteine, the keratin produced may be weaker, resulting in hoof horn that is softer, more brittle and more prone to cracking, chipping and excessive wear.
Providing both methionine and cysteine helps ensure the horse has the raw materials needed to produce strong, resilient hoof horn throughout the growth cycle.
Lysine... supporting healthy hoof growth
Lysine is another essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis throughout the body.
While it is often associated with muscle development, lysine is equally important in supporting the production and repair of tissues involved in healthy hoof growth. Like all amino acids, it works alongside methionine and cysteine rather than independently.
Trace minerals – the finishing touches
Healthy hooves depend on more than vitamins and amino acids.
Zinc plays a vital role in keratin production and helps maintain healthy hoof horn, while also supporting the repair and integrity of the hoof wall.
Copper is essential for collagen formation and connective tissue strength. It helps create strong cross-links within connective tissues that contribute to durable hoof horn.
Manganese supports the formation of cartilage and connective tissue, helping maintain the structures that support the hoof capsule.
These minerals all work together, and even small deficiencies can affect hoof quality long before obvious signs become visible.
Good management still matters
Nutrition is only one part of the picture. Healthy hooves are built through good everyday management alongside a balanced diet.
Simple routines make a real difference:
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Pick out feet every day.
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Check for stones, cracks, bruising or unpleasant smells.
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Keep bedding as clean and dry as possible.
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Provide dry standing areas during prolonged wet weather.
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Maintain a regular trimming or shoeing schedule with your farrier.
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Avoid allowing feet to become excessively long or unbalanced.
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Speak to your farrier or vet promptly if you notice any changes in hoof quality or soundness.
Patience brings results
Hoof horn grows slowly, so improvements take time.
One of the first signs that nutrition is making a difference is often a distinct growth ring appearing below the coronary band. This simply marks where healthier hoof horn has started to grow.
Over the following months, that stronger hoof gradually grows down the foot until the entire hoof wall has been replaced.
Strong, healthy hooves don't happen by chance. They are the result of balanced nutrition, good management, regular farriery and patience. By supporting the horse from the inside out, you're giving every new millimetre of hoof horn the very best opportunity to grow strong, resilient and fit for purpose.
References
Buffa, E. A., Van den Berg, S. S., Delgardo-Lecaroz, R., & Carter, G. K. (1992). Effects of dietary biotin supplementation on hoof horn quality and growth in horses.
Manson, F. J., & Leaver, J. D. (1988). The influence of trace mineral nutrition on hoof quality.
National Research Council. (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses (6th Revised Edition). National Academies Press.
Ott, E. A., & Kivipelto, J. (1999). Trace minerals and connective tissue integrity in the horse.
Pagan, J. D., Jackson, S. G., & Caddel, S. (2005). The role of amino acids and trace minerals in equine hoof growth and quality.