Hoof supplements help horses contend with many environmental challenges throughout the year – the weather varies all the time, grazing quality fluctuates and your horse’s workload may change, too. Hoof quality is largely affected by diet, while external elements, including climate, management and care, also play an important role.
Hoof problems, such as poor quality horn, slow growth and increased occurrence of hoof cracks and splits, can often be attributed to nutritional deficiencies, but by providing targeted daily nutritional support with a specially formulated hoof supplement, you can maintain and support healthy hooves.
How to choose a hoof supplement
The main ingredient to look out for is biotin, which is a B vitamin. It is recommended that your horse receives 3mg/100kg bodyweight/day, which is equivalent to 15mg for a 500kg horse. Another aspect to consider is the form the supplement takes – they can come in liquid, powder and pellet forms. Your horse may have a preference to one over another, which could make all the difference as if he won’t eat it, your horse won’t receive the benefit.
Cost is another consideration – we’ve calculated the daily cost of all the supplements featured in this guide to help you compare them easily. To make it as comparable as possible, we’ve used the smallest tubs available, but if you’re better off buying a larger volume of supplement if you can as the daily cost can become significantly lower.
How to improve hoof quality
Supplements can only improve the quality of new horn, rather than the existing, so if you decide to use a hoof supplement you need to commit to using it for a number of months before you will notice a visible difference. Topical applications, such as one of the best hoof oils and conditioners, can have a positive effect on your horse’s hooves, too, while hoof boots will also offer barefoot horses additional protection.
If you compete with your horse then it is important you make sure any supplements you use do not contain any prohibited substances.
Hoof supplements for horses: what are your options?
Here is a selection of the best hoof supplements for horses that are currently available, including the manufacturers’ descriptions of their products…
NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available tub. Some products require you to feed more in certain situations, which will increase the cost per daily measure, while buying a larger tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.
Aviform Biodura
Form: Powder
Sizes: 1kg, 2kg
RRP: £37.95 for 1kg
Daily measure: 10g
Cost per day: £0.38
This is a balanced biotin hoof supplement that is designed for horses who have weak, cracked or brittle hooves. Available in compostable pouches.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Dodson & Horrell Hoof Support
Form: Pellets
Sizes: 1.5kg, 3kg
RRP: £21.45
Daily measure: 25g
Cost per day: £0.36
A high-specification complete pelleted supplement that contains biotin, zinc and methionine, which all aid strong and healthy hoof formation.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
NAF Profeet Pellets
Form: Pellets
Sizes: 3kg
RRP: £39.99
Daily measure: 100g
Cost per day: £1.33
These pellets provide nutrients that directly support hoof health, as well as nutritional support that targets healthy liver function, which is fundamental to healthy hoof growth. Also available in liquid and powder forms.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Horse First Hoof First
Form: Powder
Sizes: 750g, 2kg, 5kg
RRP: £25.30 for 750g
Daily measure: 25g
Cost per day: £0.84
This supplement contains biotin as well as other essential vitamins and minerals to help kick-start hoof growth.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Lincoln Biotin Daily Tablets
Form: Tablets
Sizes: Pot of 60
RRP: £16.99
Daily measure: 2 tablets
Cost per day: £0.57
These peppermint treats are a convenient way of providing your horse with his daily requirement of biotin, which promotes strong, healthy horn growth when fed continuously.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
TopSpec Healthy Hoof
Form: Powder
Sizes: 3kg, 9kg, 20kg
RRP: £28.25 for 3kg
Daily measure: 100g
Cost per day: £0.94
This supplement includes biotin, plus a broad range of micronutrients that improve the efficiency of the hoof supplement.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Science Supplements 4Feet
Form: Powder
Sizes: 2kg, 10kg
RRP: £44.99 for 2kg
Daily measure: 12g
Cost per day: £0.27
A specialist dietary supplement that provides a concentrated source of a highly bioavailable biotin, which means more nutrients are absorbed, leading to better results.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Global Herbs Hoof
Form: Powder
Sizes: 1kg, 5kg
RRP: £24 for 1kg
Daily measure: 26g
Cost per day: £0.62
An advanced, fast-acting and palatable herbal supplement that provides nutritional support for the laminae, digestion, metabolism, liver function and feed utilisation.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, globalherbs.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Hilton Herbs Hoof & Health
Form: Powder
Sizes: 2kg, 4kg
RRP: £21.51 for 2kg
Daily measure: 26g
Cost per day: £0.28
This vitamin- and mineral-rich supplement is made of a blend of seaweed, rosehip and pure biotin, providing the vital nutrients to support healthy hoof growth and coat condition.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Cavalor Hoof Aid Special
Form: Powder
Sizes: 5kg
RRP: £91
Daily measure: 150g
Cost per day: £2.73
A quality hoof supplement that contains a more than just biotin, which aims to support the quality of the hoof in changeable weather.
In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk
Equine Products UK Bio-Trition ZMC Advanced
Form: Powder
Sizes: 1.5kg, 4kg
RRP: £34.14 for 1.5kg
Daily measure: 25g
Cost per day: £0.57
This supplement contains high levels of biotin, as well as methionine and cysteine to provide extra support in the spring months when hooves are exposed to a range of weathers.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Carr & Day & Martin Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Supplement
Form: Powder
Sizes: 6kg
RRP: £42.50
Daily measure: 200g
Cost per day: £1.42
This hoof supplement contains the optimum levels of biotin alongside a range of other vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Kevin Bacon’s Hoof Formula
Form: Pellets
Sizes: 5kg
RRP: £55
Daily measure: 200g
Cost per day: £2.20
This concentrated supplement promotes speedy hoof growth. It is well suited for horses on high-energy diets.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Equine America Super Hoof Pellets Plus
Form: Powder
Sizes: 3kg
RRP: £39.50
Daily measure: 100g
Cost per day: £1.32
This low-sugar and low-starch, concentrated supplement that contains a range of active ingredients that support health hoof growth and horn quality as well as liver health.
In the UK? View now at equine-america.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Maxavita Maxahoof
Form: Powder
Sizes: 900g
RRP: £24.95
Daily measure: 25g
Cost per day: £0.69
Maxahoof contains biotin, calcium, MSM, green-lipped mussel extract and added vitamins to encourage healthy hoof growth.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
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