Horse hooves grow on average by eight to ten millimetres a month. That growth requires the right nutrients, which support the rebuilding and regeneration of the horn. Hooves that crack, are brittle, too soft or grow unevenly are very often a sign of nutritional deficiencies, even if the horse is not yet showing other signs of illness. For example, a shortage of trace elements such as zinc or copper impairs mineralisation and the structure of the hoof, which results in uneven growth and cracks. A shortage of biotin, that is vitamin B7, leads to brittle, fragile horn. Shortages of protein and of sulphur-containing amino acids, such as methionine or cysteine, also affect the quality of the hoof horn, because they are essential for the synthesis of keratin, the main building material of the hoof. Without them the hoof may grow more slowly and be mechanically weaker. It is not only shortages: excesses of some nutrients (for example iron where copper is lacking) can disturb the absorption of others and have a negative effect on the hooves.
The coat is no less important than the hooves. Although it changes with the seasons, its general appearance can reveal a great deal about the horse’s health and diet. A dull, brittle coat, and difficulty shedding, can result from a lack of the right vitamins, especially A and E, and from a shortage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Excessive shedding or patchy hair loss can point to shortages of zinc, selenium, biotin or protein. Roughness or dandruff often indicate a long-standing shortage of trace elements, or a metabolic burden that comes, for example, from eating poor-quality feed: mouldy, contaminated with mycotoxins, or low in valuable nutrients.
What should you do when the hooves and coat deteriorate despite proper external care? The first step should be a careful look at the forage. Hay, which is the basis of the diet, should be clean, free of mould and cut at the right stage of plant growth. Concentrates also need attention. It is worth choosing those that are highly digestible and low in starch, but rich in fibre and well balanced for vitamins and minerals. If a ready-made feed is combined with oats or another cereal, the diet should be completed with vitamins and minerals, preferably as well-absorbed supplements. Biotin, given at the right dose for several months, can markedly improve the quality of the hoof horn, though the effect is not immediate. Fat supplements, such as linseed oil or soya oil, can be invaluable in the diet: they improve the look of the coat and support metabolism.
Remember: if the horse still has a poor coat and hoof problems despite a correction of the diet, it is worth considering a consultation with a veterinary surgeon. Metabolic diseases such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), Cushing’s disease (PPID), chronic inflammation of the gut or liver problems very often show themselves precisely as changes in outward appearance. In such cases the diet should be drawn up individually, ideally together with an equine nutritionist.
To sum up… the coat and the hooves are not just the horse’s outward calling card. They are indicators of what is happening inside the body. If your horse’s coat has lost its shine, and the hooves have become brittle or painful, do not ignore these signals. It is very possible that the source of the problem lies in the diet. Changes in feeding do not bring results from one day to the next, but patient observation and thoughtful choices of feed can bring a lasting improvement in the horse’s health! ✨