The long-term influence of biotin supplementation on hoof horn quality in horses.
Abstract: The influence of dietary biotin in horses with brittle hoof horn and chipped hooves was investigated in a long-term study, which was performed over a period from one to six years. 97 horses received 5 mg of biotin per 100 to 150 kg of body weight, per os, daily; 11 horses were not supplemented with biotin and served as controls. The hooves of all horses were evaluated macroscopically every three to four months. Hoof horn specimens of the proximal wall were examined histologically and physically in 25 and 15 horses, respectively. The tensile strength of normal coronary horn was 60 N/mm2 or greater; it was reduced in areas of histological alterations, the lowest value being 20 N/mm2. The hoof horn condition of the biotin-supplemented horses improved after eight to 15 months of supplementation as determined by macroscopic and histologic examinations. The hoof horn condition of most control horses remained constant throughout the study. The growth rate of the coronary horn of horses supplemented with biotin and of control horses was the same. The hoof horn condition deteriorated in 7 of 10 horses after biotin supplementation was reduced or terminated. It was concluded that biotin should be continuously supplemented at the full dosage in horses with severe hoof horn alterations.
Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 8202678
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- Journal Article
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Geyer H, Schulze J.
(1994).
The long-term influence of biotin supplementation on hoof horn quality in horses.
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 136(4), 137-149.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Zürich.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biotin / pharmacology
- Biotin / therapeutic use
- Foot Diseases / prevention & control
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / drug effects
- Hoof and Claw / growth & development
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Varagka N, Lisgara M, Skampardonis V, Psychas V, Leontides L. Partial substitution, with their chelated complexes, of the inorganic zinc, copper and manganese in sow diets reduced the laminitic lesions in the claws and improved the morphometric characteristics of the hoof horn of sows from three Greek herds. Porcine Health Manag 2016;2:26.
- Higuchi H, Maeda T, Nakamura M, Kuwano A, Kawai K, Kasamatsu M, Nagahata H. Effects of biotin supplementation on serum biotin levels and physical properties of samples of solar horn of Holstein cows. Can J Vet Res 2004 Apr;68(2):93-7.
- Campbell JR, Greenough PR, Petrie L. The effects of dietary biotin supplementation on vertical fissures of the claw wall in beef cattle. Can Vet J 2000 Sep;41(9):690-4.
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