Sugar and Hoof Health

Sugar and Hoof Health

Sugar phobia has reached a point where virtually any problem with a horse’s hooves may be blamed on sugar.

Many different problems cause quality issues in hooves, but most have nothing to do with sugar.

From thrush to weak laminar connections, sugar is being blamed for hoof problems. This often comes with stories of how horses have improved once the diet was changed. However, sugar is rarely the culprit here.

“Sugar” comes from both things high in simple sugars, like molasses, and foods high in starch because the horse’s body digests starch to the sugar glucose in the intestinal tract and that is what gets absorbed into the blood. Sugar is as essential to the life of plants as it is to animals so everything has it but in varying amounts.

The sugar-hoof connection is via insulin. Sugar causes insulin release to varying extents depending on the individual. Sustained exaggerated insulin responses lead to overt laminitis or a smoldering condition where laminar connections are weak and stretched. This scenario is a genuine connection between sugar/starch and hoof health, but it only applies to the 10 – 12% of the equine population that actually has those exaggerated insulin responses. If the horse has normal insulin testing, it’s not sugar causing the problems.

Other possible factors include:

  • Moisture: Change from pasture to a dry lot or track typically means a drier environment
  • Protein/amino acids: Feed changes may have benefited the protein intake or amino acid profile. For example, if you changed from grain to a balancer that has methionine this could be helpful. Just eliminating grain and replacing with hay increases protein intake. A pound of a 12% protein hay has 54 grams of protein and as many as 2.55 Kcal. A pound of 10% protein hay has 45 grams of protein but you have to feed three times as much to match the calories so protein intake jumps up to 135 grams!
  • Minerals: This is probably where most of the differences originate. Whether you take the horse off pasture or bagged feeds you are reducing the iron intake significantly and also manganese in many cases. These two mineral excesses can worsen the already existing copper and zinc deficiencies in many areas. Feeding change recommendations also often include adding a high zinc and copper supplement.
  • Better hoof care: On finding issues, your hoof care professional may shorten the interval between trims which can make a huge difference.
  • Less movement: Movement is good for hoof health, as long as there is a good trim and the feet don’t hurt. Horses with any hoof problem, like negative palmar angle and irritated deep digital flexor tendon, can and often do become more lame when turned out because they are moving around a lot more.

If you suspect a horse has hoof problems related to insulin responses, have him tested. Only lab work can really answer that question. If it’s not insulin-related, consider the points above to attempt to pinpoint what’s going on with the horse.

Uckele Health & Nutrition, maker of CocoSoya, manufactures formulas to support metabolic and hoof health.  

U-Balance Foundation was formulated for high iron and manganese situations.  It features L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, and L-Threonine minerals in a time-released & chelated form. Also includes B-Complex Vitamins, bone-strengthening Silica, digestive enzymes, and Chromium to support healthy sugar metabolism.

LaminOX provides full spectrum support for hoof health and comfort, healthy circulation and metabolic balance. Supports healthy vascular function with Jiaogulan to promote circulation and structural hoof health.  Contains the amino acid Arginine, a precursor to nitric oxide, which also plays an important role in healthy blood flow.

About Dr. Kellon

Dr. Eleanor Kellon, staff veterinary specialist for Uckele Health & Nutrition, is an established authority in the field of equine nutrition for over 30 years, and a founding member and leader of the Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance (ECIR) group, whose mission is to improve the welfare of horses with metabolic disorders via integration of research and real-life clinical experience.  Prevention of laminitis is the ultimate goal.

Uckele Health & Nutrition, maker of CocoSoya, is an innovation-driven health company committed to making people and their animals healthier.  On the leading edge of nutritional science and technology for over 50 years, Uckele formulates and manufactures a full spectrum of quality nutritional supplements incorporating the latest nutritional advances.  Uckele is a proud member of the NASC.

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