The long-term influence of biotin supplementation on hoof horn quality in horses.

The research focuses on the impact of long-term biotin supplementation on the quality of hoof horn in horses. It suggests that continuous supplementation improves hoof horn quality, but when it’s reduced or stopped the condition deteriorates.

Research Methodology

• The study was conducted over a period of one to six years, focusing on horses that had brittle hoof horn and chipped hooves. The sample consisted of 97 horses that received 5 mg of biotin per 100 to 150 kg of body weight daily, and 11 horses that didn’t receive any biotin and served as controls.
• Hoof evaluation was done macroscopically every three to four months for all horses. Additionally, hoof horn specimens of the proximal wall were examined histologically (microscopic exam of tissue structure) and physically in 25 and 15 horses, respectively.

Key findings

• The tensile strength of the normal coronary horn was determined to be 60 N/mm2 or greater. However, this strength reduced in areas with histological alterations, reaching a minimum value of 20 N/mm2.
• The hoof horn condition of the horses that received biotin supplements improved after eight to 15 months of supplementation. This was determined by both macroscopic and histologic examinations.
• The hoof horn condition of most control horses (those that didn’t receive biotin) remained the same throughout the study.
• The growth rate of the coronary horn was the same for horses supplemented with biotin and control horses.
• The condition of the hoof horn deteriorated in 7 out of 10 horses once the biotin supplementation was reduced or terminated.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that biotin should be supplemented continuously at full dosage for horses with severe hoof horn alterations. This is due to the observed fact that reducing or discontinuing biotin supplementation led to the deterioration of the hoof horn condition.