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Dietary Excesses May Explain Poor Hoof Condition

Horse owners frequently turn to hoof supplements when faced with dry, crumbly, brittle, or chipped hooves, believing their horses must have a nutritional deficiency, usually a shortage of biotin or zinc. According to a comprehensive review of factors that hasten hoof deterioration, dietary excesses may play a greater role than originally thought.

Classic examples of how nutritional excesses cause laminitis include:

The traditional carbohydrate or grain overload. In this scenario, a horse has accidentally ingested an excessive amount of carbohydrates, either by gaining access to an unattended grain bin or grazing excessively on lush pasture.
Elevated circulating insulin, called hyperinsulinemia. Excessive insulin levels are often measured in horses with insulin dysregulation, metabolic syndrome, or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID or Cushing's disease). These horses are often, but not always, overweight.

In the latter example, imposing dietary restrictions may help prevent acute and recurrent laminitis.

“Feeding a hay-based diet with a low nonstructural carbohydrate content for horses with insulin dysregulation is often indicated. However, hay-only diets don't always deliver optimal nutrition and supplementation is necessary,” explained Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research.

Be careful, though, and consider all the nutrients in your horse's diet before indiscriminately adding hoof supplements and ration balancers. Otherwise, you may be undoing all of your efforts to optimize hoof health.

As an example, let's look at selenium.

Horses with chronic selenium toxicity present with poor hooves because selenium negatively affects keratinized structures. Long-term dietary intake of a mere 5-40 parts per million (ppm) can result in selenium toxicity. Pastures rich in selenium are seen in parts of the U.S., including Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as parts of Ireland. Often, however, excess selenium is considered iatrogenic, secondary to “overzealous supplementation.”

According to Whitehouse, “A detailed ration evaluation should be the first step in optimizing hoof health. Before adding a hoof supplement, make sure your horse's basal nutrient needs are being met.”

If a hoof supplement is necessary, select a high-quality supplement that contains bioavailable ingredients such as biotin, zinc, and methionine.

“Many well-formulated hoof supplements are designed to be fed with a fortified feed,” Whitehouse explained. “When fed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, these will not cause dietary imbalances, yet it is still important to consider all potential sources of vitamin and mineral fortification to prevent duplication and over supplementation.”

^*Burns, T.A. 2021. Feeding the foot: Nutritional influences on equine hoof health.

Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice S0749-0739(21)00051-1.

Reprinted courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research. Visit ker.com for the latest in equine nutrition and management, and subscribe to Equinews to receive these articles directly.

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Ramey: Being An Equine Vet Is Wonderful; Being An Equine Vet Is Terrible

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. Just about every day I get up, knowing that I'm going to be outside, working with what I think is one of the most wonderful creatures on the planet. So strong, so patient, so willing to trust, so willing to do the most amazing things for people, asking nothing more than a little attention and a good bit of food.

Being a horse doctor is terrible. Not a day goes by that I don't worry. I worry about if a horse is getting better. I worry about making a difficult diagnosis that a client may not want to hear. I worry that I won't get called. I worry that I will get called when I have something that I really want to do. I rarely get a full night's sleep. Sometimes it's because I get a call to go out to see a sick or injured horse. Sometimes it's because I'm worrying. My phone rings all the time — when I'm in the shower, or at the gym, at a restaurant, or even in the bathroom. I've coached young boys playing games while consoling concerned horse owners. I've spoken to concerned horse owners while on vacation, walking through the streets of foreign countries. I carry a terrible responsibility — to help horses, to help people.

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. Just about every day, I wake up knowing that I'm going to go out and help somebody, and help a horse. I like that. It feels like I'm doing something good for the world. I really love horses.

Being a horse doctor is terrible. I have to deal with the worst sides of human nature. I have a long list of people who have asked me to be there for them – to take care of their horse, to give them needed supplies, to help their mare bring a new foal into the world – and then have simply refused to pay me for the work that I've done, or for the products that I've given them. Afterwards, I'm the one who is bad-mouthed. I've seen horses given needless medications, and countless needless products and supplements, all in an effort to live up to people's expectations for them. And I've been called ugly names for not wanting to participate in the charade.

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. Just about every day, I get to see friends who I have known for years. Friends who have shared triumphs and tragedies, and with whom I have shared my own. I have become part of their lives. Friends who trust me, not just to do the right thing by their horse, but to do the right thing. Friends with whom I have shared joy and laughter, triumph and heartbreak, both in the horse world, and beyond.

Being a horse doctor is terrible. In addition to my own concerns, I become part of every client's worry about his or her horse. I share hurt and despair when bad things happen, and especially at the end. Each client has his or her personal pain. I carry a little bit of each and every one. I have seen awful accidents happen to horses, bad memories that I won't be able to forget, and that I don't want to describe. I wonder if, in some way, these are not like the emotional scars that soldiers take away from battle. Not as extreme, not as emotionally devastating, but just as real.

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. Veterinary medicine is an art, and a science. I know lots of artistic tricks that help me convince a 1,200-pound animal that I'm not going to hurt him, even when I might, just a little bit. I'm paid to be a veterinary Hercule Poirot, noticing countless details, and trying to assemble them into a diagnostic package that makes sense. Some cases are actually pretty simple, and I can take care of them quickly — with an injection, perhaps some fluids, or maybe just tincture of time. Others are more complicated, more difficult, and more frustrating, requiring time, patience, and a variety of approaches to find the right answer, if a “right” answer can be found at all. I get to help sick horses find health. I get to help worried owners relax and not worry. At the end, I can help provide comfort and understanding, and give my client's emotions a soft shoulder on which to rest.

Being a horse doctor is terrible. I am constantly told that I am wrong. Everyone's an expert, it seems. I'm accused of not being open-minded, that I only like drugs and surgery, that I can't do this or that (even when I can), and that I don't care about the “whole” horse. I'm told that I'm wrong by “dentists,” and farriers, and “chiropractors,” and any number of “therapists.” And when it turns out that I was right after all, no one remembers. I often feel crushed by the stupidity of some of the things that people are told, and by the lies and weasel words that are used to get people to spend seemingly limitless dollars on needless products and services. I hate seeing people waste time and money on needless things, time and money that they should be using to enjoy their horse.

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. Experience has brought a good deal of wisdom, and tempered some of the arrogance that first came with being a “doctor.” I understand more about the limits of what I can and cannot do. I understand the limits of my profession. I accept myself for who I am – I accept others for who they are. I have made many deep connections: it's the most important thing in my professional life. I help horses, and I help the people who own and take care of them.

Being a horse doctor is terrible. I have made countless decisions that affect the lives of other people, and their horses. Happily, almost all of them have turned out well. But not all. Sometimes it's not possible. Sometimes bad things happen, no matter how much you know, how well you work, how perfectly you do your job. I remember the battles that I've lost, and the people that I've lost them with. Soon, there will be another battle to fight, and I will fight it as hard as I can, replacing some of the old memories with new ones. Again and again.

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. I live comfortably, but not extravagantly. I can go out to a nice restaurant every once in a while. As a veterinarian, I still get a little respect. There seems to always be something to do. My days aren't boring, and in between my work, I get to play some: on the golf course, in magic sessions – isn't horse medicine just another kind of magic? – with friends, with family.

Being a horse doctor is terrible. Paperwork is a constant part of my life. There are insurance forms. Health certificates. Lab forms. Over and over again. I sign lots of papers every month, and I'm not always sure what my signature really means. It takes lots of time, and some people don't think that's worth anything at all. I know, because that's what they tell me. My time isn't worth anything to them. It's terrible, being told you're worthless.

Being a horse doctor is wonderful. I wouldn't have chosen any other profession. No matter how terrible it can be sometimes.

Dr. David Ramey is a vocal advocate for the application of science to medicine, and—as such—for the welfare of the horse. Thus, he has been a frequent critic of practices that lack good science, such as the diverse therapies collectively known as “alternative” medicine, needless nutritional supplementation, or conventional therapies that lack scientific support.

This article original appeared on Dr. Ramey's website, doctorramey.com and is reprinted here with permission.

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Paragon Farms Pledges $100,000 Annual TAA Donation At Preakness

Paragon Farms is proud to announce that it will be the sponsor for the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes, held during the 2022 Preakness Weekend at Pimlico Race Course. Taking place on May 21, the Sir Barton Stakes will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

Founded by Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Brandon and Diannah Perry, Paragon Farms originated in Lexington, Kentucky and eventually branched to Ocala, Florida. After successfully investing their earnings in real estate, the Perry's felt compelled to give back to retired Thoroughbreds, by way of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Paragon Farms entered into an agreement to annually donate $100,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as the title sponsor of the Sir Barton Stakes for three consecutive years beginning at the Preakness 147.

“Diannah and I are driven to make a difference, and proud to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. We are honored to be a part of the Preakness. We are encouraged by the TAA's commitment to raising awareness for aftercare cooperation and inspiring action, to protect the horses that have given us personally so much. Together, through lasting change, responsibility will have a long-term positive impact on the sport we love.”

“The generosity of Brandon and Diannah Perry is truly astounding,” said Funding and Events Manager, Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is incredibly grateful and excited for this newfound partnership with Paragon Farms and looks forward to putting their donation toward our 82 accredited charities helping thousands of retired Thoroughbreds.”

The Paragon Farms check presentation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will take place Saturday, May 21, following the running of race 11, the Sir Barton Stakes Sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry to Benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Post time for the field of ten three-year-olds $100,000 stakes race is 4:53 pm ET.

About Paragon Farms

Following a successful run as Thoroughbred breeders and owners, Brandon and Diannah Perry of Paragon Farms, Lexington, KY and Ocala, FL, decided to take a less hands on approach in the Thoroughbred business, through shares and transitioned into investing in real estate. Over the past several years in real estate, they have realized tremendous success and enjoy giving back to the horses through charities. The Perry's own their own brokerage, Newgate Realty, in Ocala, Florida, named after their farm in Lexington, Kentucky. To learn more, visit NewgateRealtyLLC.com.

About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, rehome, and retire Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $24.5 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 82 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Anxiety Issues: Sugar And The ‘Gut-Brain’ Axis

Horses that receive their energy from fat in their diet are often less anxious than those that get their energy from starches, reports The Horse. Additionally, horses and ponies fed high-starch diets often have a more-elevated heart rate, are more alert and nervous, and present with more intestinal discomfort and negative behaviors than those that are fed a low-starch diet.

Horses fed diets higher in digestible carbohydrates are prone to both ulcers and hindgut acidosis. Signs of this condition include mild colic as well as poor attitude and performance. Diets high in starch can also affect the hindgut's microbial population, leading to decreased function and performance.

This, in turn, can affect the “gut-brain axis.” A horse's GI tract releases about 20 different hormones, including neurotransmitters. Disruptions in the release of these hormones can bring about irritability and hyperexcitability.

Glucose easily crosses the blood-brain barrier; elevated glucose levels increase dopamine production, which can lead to hyperexcitability and elevated awareness. Horses fed diets higher in fiber and/or fat show more consistent blood glucose levels and are less excitable.

Though diet alone will not “fix” an anxious horse, it is one piece of the puzzle, which also involves management and training. It's beneficial to discuss any changes to a horse's diet with an equine nutritionist or a vet.

It's also important to meet and not exceed a horse's caloric requirements; adding fat to the diet will require a decrease in soluble carbohydrates. Fats have two times the amount of calories as carbohydrates, so cannot be replaced on a pound-for-pound basis.