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Hardy Hoof™

Enhanced formula for strong, resilient hooves

97 reviews. 4.8 / 5
Guest - 13/03/2024 19:51
Sorted out the cracks in my horses hooves and now I continue to use it at a maintenance doesage.
Guest - 06/03/2024 15:35
Showing a good growth in hoof and shoes staying on. Hopefully will continue as ground gets harder.
Guest - 21/02/2024 21:43
Keeps my horses feet tough.
Sharon - 29/12/2023 09:04
The product works and you see the effects quite soon
Guest - 30/11/2023 15:42
Great product as my horse always losing shoes with days as had soft hooves now goes 8wks without a loss 😁
Guest - 22/11/2023 14:14
Really makes a difference to my tbs feet
Guest - 26/07/2023 16:24
My horses love it so very palatable but I
understand that it will take many months before any results will be seen so can't really rate product.
Guest - 19/07/2023 16:49
Excellent product.. Does what it claims.
Guest - 12/07/2023 18:16
Have not used it for long enough to see any difference. Horse eats it always useful!!
Susanne - 06/07/2023 08:47
I'm experimenting with palatability/quantity for new horse on the yard.

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Nutrition Information

Keratin is responsible for the resilient structure of the hoof wall. This is a structural protein also found in hair, wool, skin and fingernails, and is made up of certain amino acids. Providing the amino acids Methionine, Threonine and Lysine, which are present in high levels in Hardy Hoof™, allows Keratin synthesis, with Methionine being of particular importance because the horse can convert this into Cysteine, the amino acid that gives Keratin its strength and structure. In order for this to happen, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) must also be present.

Advances in science have allowed us to go even further and incorporate chelation technology in Hardy Hoof™ formulation. Chelation involves the binding of minerals (nutritionally classed as metals) to another molecule with the purpose of increasing absorption and stability within the horse's gastrointestinal tract. Copper, Zinc and Manganese are chelated to the amino acid Glycine facilitating the absorption of the minerals as well as preventing them from binding to other nutrients and maximising overall nutrient utilisation within your horse. Copper and Zinc stimulate cell growth and aid Keratin production whilst Manganese supports the internal structures in the hoof. 

Copper is an essential component in the building of Keratin bridges in the hoof, as it is a copper-dependent enzyme in cells that is responsible for building junctions between several proteins. Thus, if Copper is deficient the enzyme is compromised, affecting the Keratin bridge structure which ultimately could affect the hoof´s wear resistance (de Souza et al., 2019; Rueda-Carrillo et al., 2022).

Zinc is a key mineral also involved in the keratinisation process. Although studies regarding the relationship between Zinc and hoof quality show varying results, the study by Jancikova et al. (2012) showed how dietary minerals can positively influence hoof quality. The study included 16 warmbloods, eight of which were administered a vitamin-mineral premix for 9 months. Results showed increased levels of Zinc in the dry matter of the hoof horn as well as increased levels of the trace minerals Copper and Manganese. Horses administered the vitamin and mineral premix also achieved significantly faster growth of the hoof horn with decent hoof quality. This study highlights the importance of Copper, Zinc and Manganese in the health and structure of horse's hooves. Of note, for Zinc to be absorbed it must be provided at a 4:1 ratio with Copper, at 4 parts Zinc to 1 part Copper, which is achieved in the Hardy Hoof™ formulation.

Calcium is a macro-mineral that plays an important role in the formation of bones, muscles, teeth, and virtually every other structure in the horse´s body. Calcium is also crucial for good hoof growth. Calcium is necessary for the adhesion of one cell to the next, which is of particular importance in hooves, where cells are arranged tightly.

In addition to the amino acids and minerals, Hardy Hoof™ contains the highly researched B Vitamin, Biotin. A study conducted by Buffa et al. (1992) examined 24 randomly selected horses over a 10-month period. The results indicated significant improvements in hoof growth rate and hardness when administering a dose of 15mg of Biotin per day in comparison to horses being supplemented wtih 7.5mg of Biotin per day. Furthermore, Geyer et al. (1994) supports these findings as they conducted a study on 97 horses fed a daily dose of 5mg of Biotin per 100 to 150kg of bodyweight (effectively 25mg of Biotin daily for a 500kg horse). The researchers examined the hoof macroscopically every 3-4 months and found improvements in hoof horn condition after eight to fifteen months of supplementary Biotin. It was also noted that hoof horn condition deteriorated in 7 out of 10 horses once Biotin supplementation was reduced or ended. Based on the extensive research undertaken on Biotin, and the great benefits this vitamin has on hoof health, growth rate and strength, Hardy Hoof™ contains a daily supply of 30mg of Biotin per 500kg horse to ensure optimum hoof growth and health. 

Furthermore, Methyl sulphonyl methane (MSM) is included in Hardy Hoof™ as it is an excellent source of dietary Sulphur, a mineral necessary for the integrity of the hoof wall due to its role in bonding protein strands in the hoof. Hardy Hoof™ also contains Iodine, which is essential for healthy thyroid function, which in turn is necessary for hoof and hair quality. Finally, Linseed is widely used to improve hoof quality, as it is rich in essential fatty acids, which help to seal moisture into the hoof. When combined with the phospholipid Lecithin (which is rich in Choline for cell flexibility) this aids pliability of the hooves, and helps to maintain the optimum moisture level, stopping the hooves from absorbing external moisture. Hay diets, in particular, may be low in fatty acids. 

To read more about the nutrition of hoof health click here 

To read more about chelated minerals click here 

References

Buffa, E.A., Van Den Berg, S.S., Verstraete, F.J.M., & Swart, N.G.N. (1992). Effect of dietary biotin supplement on equine hoof horn growth rate and hardness. Equine Veterinary Journal, 24(6): 472-474.

De Souza, A.F., Schade, J., Laus, R., Moreira, M.A., Muller, T.R. & Fonteque, J.H. (2019). Difference in mineral concentration on hooves of horses, mules and donkeys. Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária, 26(3): 93-98.

Rueda-Carrillo, G., Rosiles-Martínez, R., Hernández-García, A.I., Vargas-Bello-Pérez, E & Trigo-Travera, F.J. (2022). Preliminary study on the connection between the mineral profile of horse hooves and tensile strength based on body weight, sex, age, sampling location and riding disciplines. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8:763935

Geyer, H., & Schuzle, J. (1994). The long-term influence of biotin supplementation on hoof horn quality in horses. Schweiz Arch Tierheikd, 136(4): 137-149.

Jancikova, P., Horky, P., & Zeman, L. (2012). The effect of feed additive containing vitamins and trace elements on the elements profile and growth of skin derivatives in horses. Annals of Animal Science, 12(3): 381-391

Composition

Linseed meal, Brewer's Yeast, Monocalcium phosphate, Methyl sulphonyl methane (MSM). 

Additives 

  Additive number per kg
Antioxidants    
Soya lecithin 1c322i 29 g
BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene) E321 0.06 g
     
Vitamins    
B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride) 3a831 211 mg
Biotin 3a880 448 mg
     
Trace Elements    
Iodine (Calcium iodate anhydrous) 3b202 19 mg
Copper (Copper (II) chelate of glycine hydrate) 3b413 1,281 mg
Manganese (Manganese chelate of glycine hydrate) 3b506 2,563 mg
Zinc (Zinc chelate of glycine hydrate) 3b607 3,844 mg
     
Amino Acids    
Lysine (L-lysine monohydrochloride) 3c322 76,884 mg
Methionine (Sodium DL-methionine) 3c301/3c305 102,512 mg
Threonine (L-threonine) 3c410 25,628 mg

Analytical

 
Crude protein  27%
Crude oils & fats 15.0%
Crude fibre  3.0%
Crude ash 18.8%
Sodium <0.1%

Feeding Guide

 

Weight of Horse/Pony Amount per day                                       
Up to 250kg 1 scoop
250kg - 400kg 1 ½ scoops
400kg - 600kg 2 scoops
Over 600kg 3 scoops

 

1 level (50ml) scoop of Hardy Hoof™weighs approximately 33g

It takes approximately 8-12 months for hoof horn to grow from the coronary band to the weight-bearing surface. Feed Hardy Hoof™ formula continuously to support good hoof horn growth.

Feed supplements should be fed according to body weight. Introduce to the horse's diet gradually, splitting between feeds (when applicable).

Hardy Hoof™is a complementary feeding stuff for equine animals. Feedmark uses nothing in the formulation of this product that contravenes FEI competition rules.

Learn more about competing within the rules by clicking here