Feeding for Happy Feet: A Recipe for Healthy Hooves

in sulfur these bonds cannot form which may result in poor hoof growth and weak hooves.
The best and often the easiest way to ensure your horse receives adequate amounts of essential amino acids is to provide him with high quality hay. Alfalfagrass blends tend to be a good choice as the proteinrich alfalfa balances against the low protein grass. Unfortunately there are times when quality hay can be difficult to find. In these situations it is wise to work with a nutritionist to find an alternate way to supply your horse with lysine and methionine such as feeding him a commercial supplement.
Energy
Although adequate energy levels are needed throughout your horses body the hoof has special energy needs. Hoof tissue is highly metabolically active and actually consumes glucose. In particular the lamellar tissue of the hoof requires glucose in order to be able to act as the glue that holds the hoof layers together. With the exception of neglect situations most horses receive enough energy to support hoof function. More commonly horses are overweight and consume more calories than their bodies need. Overweight horses can have poor feet not only due to the additional weightbearing stress on their feet but also from metabolic illnesses such as Cushings disease or insulin resistance. These can result in high levels of inflammation of the hoof tissue and laminitis. Horses with abnormal metabolisms require very carefully balanced diets.
Fats are also necessary in the diet to maintain the glue holding the hoof together and play a role in keeping the hoof hydrated. Many researchers are currently studying the impact of omega fats on hoof and lameness issues. Omega3 fatty acids have been shown to improve hair and hoof quality as well as demonstrate antiinflammatory properties in horses. The most common omega3 alpha linolenic acid is prevalent in fresh pasture grass fish oils and flaxseed. Generally I recommend supplementing diets with flaxseed as pasture is not available year round in Canada and fish oil is not a common feed ingredient. To obtain the maximum nutritional value grind the flaxseed with a coffee bean grinder or blender as whole flaxseed can pass through the horses gastrointestinal tract undigested. It is also best to grind the flaxseed right before feeding it since ground flaxseed that is exposed to the air for longer periods of time can oxidize and become rancid unless you are purchasing a stabilized commercial product. Generally