Research Articles: Hoof and Joint Care

Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength is 27% protein. The protein in Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength is derived from three main sources. A main ingredient and the largest contributor of protein is soy protein concentrate, which contains 66% protein. Methionine, yeast culture, and to a lesser degree alfalfa also contribute to crude protein levels.

Feeding Farrier's Formula^® to an older horse even though he does not have hoof problems has many benefits.
One of the problems in feeding the aging horse is that mastication (chewing) offeed becomes less efficient and after the feed reaches the digestive tract nutrient absorption is diminished. Also, the connective tissue including skin, hoof, bone, tendons, and muscle is not as strong and healthy as in younger horses. Another geriatric problem is that many times the metabolism, therefore activity, is usually slowed because of decreased levels of thyroid hormone (thyroxin).

Initial Results

Within as little as two weeks of feeding Farrier's Formula^® Double Strength one should see a glossy, more deeply colored coat. By nine to ten weeks a new band of strong, healthy growth will be clearly visible at the coronary band, and the difference in the structure of the hom in the periople can be seen with the naked eye. Internal benefits, while more difficult to see, are just as dramatic.

There are twenty amino acids known that make up the building blocks for mammalian body protein. Approximately one-half of the amino acids are essential (this means the body is unable to make those nutrients; therefore the nutrients must be ingested). Methionine is an essential amino acid that can be converted to cystine by the body. Cystine is important because it furnishes the sulfur crosslinks that are necessary for healthy collagen thus strong hoof infrastructure (hoof, skin, hair, ligaments, tendons and cartilage). A certain quantity of essential amino acids can be manufactured by the micro organisms in the hind gut of the equine.

The differences between original Farrier’s Formula^® and Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength.
Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength provides the horse with nutrients important for healthy hooves and hair coat at one-half the feeding level of original Farrier’s Formula^®. Due to reducing alfalfa and utilizing concentrated natural flavors and ingredients the daily feeding level for a 450 kg horse is only 85 grams per day as compared to 170 grams of the original Farrier’s Formula^®. Both are equally effective, although Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength is more beneficial to the horse owner due to the reduced daily feeding expenses.

I have worked with horses suffering from mild to serious hoof problems for the past 50 years. During that time I have determined that horses with hoof problems often are deficient in many nutrients that negatively affect changes in the dermal tissue structure. The hoof is dermal tissue and the hoof shows weakness more quickly than other dermal tissue structures due to its function and location. The horse owner should be able to recognize a few of the nutritional concerns that can occur in the hoof:

Proper feed supplementation can help repair damage done during a laminitis/founder cycle. Many horses are being fed rations deficient in the nutrients necessary to maintain and rebuild their health after having suffered from laminitis and founder. Some hays are deficient in essential nutrients, especially those put up after being rained on, grown on nutrient deficient soils or harvested at a late stage of maturity.

Salt, or sodium chloride, is a necessary component of a horse’s diet and metabolism. However; too much salt will increase thirst and urination. Hoof quality can deteriorate from the additional urine and moisture in the environment. Horses that are confined for periods of time are primarily affected.

“Laminitis and founder is a complicated systemic disease that severely affects a horse’s feet. For the best chance of success in the management and treatment of the disease, veterinarians and farriers must work together. The horse owner assumes the economic responsibility to attempt to restore a horse to health and, therefore, has the choice to engage cooperative caregivers.

Hoof wall defects can develop as a result of one or more contributing factors. To name a few, hoof wall quality can be influenced by genetics, environment, microbes, trimming, and nutrition.