Hoof Health: Foundation Formula December Educational Webinar 2017 Dr Tania Cubitt Performance Horse Nutrition NUTRITION & THE HOOF The hoof wall grows downward at a rate of 1/4 to 3/8ths of an inch per month. Things such as nutrition, breed, age (increased growth in younger animals), and season of the year all influence the rate of growth. 2 WATER Cool weather 10 12 gallons Hot weather 20 25 gallons Increases with lactation, heat, exercise Usually drink ¼ ½ gallon / 1 lb hay 3 1
WATER & HOOFFUNCTION Cellular functions rely on adequate tissue hydration Dermal blood flow delivers nutrients to the hoof Adequate hoof moisture responsible for foot strength, elasticity and function 4 WATER & HOOFFUNCTION The moisture content of the hoof wall comes from internal sources (80%) and from the environment (20%). This means that keeping a horse properly hydrated, adequately exercised (helps to move fluid into the cells of the feet), and on a balanced diet are the most essential parts of maintaining healthy feet. 5 DRY HOOVES Neglect and excessive drying. These problems often result in cracks forming in the hoof wall. 6 2
PROTEIN Organic structures made of amino acids Most adult horses only require 8 to 10% protein in the ration, Lactating mares and growing foals need higher protein Structural proteins make muscle and tissues (hoof tissue). Functional proteins - enzymes 7 PROTEIN QUALITY Some amino acids are essential Essential AA s cannot be synthesized they must be supplied in the diet Lysine must be supplied in the equine diet High quality protein sources supply essential AA: Legumes Alfalfa Cereal grains Grass 8 PROTEIN & HOOF FUNCTION The hoof is mostly made up of protein and moisture. Dermal tissue & the hoof wall rely on protein to provide structural strength and function Epidermal cells produce 3 protein groups: Keratin Keratin associated protein Cell envelope proteins Adequate amino acids critical to hoof strength 9 3
MINERALS Needed in very small amounts Body structure, fluid balance (electrolytes), nerve conduction, muscle contraction, immune function Macro Ca, P, Na, Cl, Mg, K, S Micro Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, I, Se, Cr, F, etc. 10 MINERAL NUTRITION More mineral is not always better Mineral Interaction Other methods to insure adequate absorption 11 MINERALS & HOOF FUNCTION Calcium (Ca) Signals formation of the rigid cell envelope during final cornification Zinc (Zn) Epidermal cells, dermis and blood vessels require Zn for cell reproduction maintenance & repair Collagen, keratins, keratin associated 12 4
MINERALS & HOOF FUNCTION Copper (Cu) Connective tissue Structural integrity Rigidity of outer hoof wall Manganese (Mn) Internal structure of foot Maintenance & repair of joint cartilage Selenium (Se) Immunity & antioxidant status, protect cells from damage. 13 VITAMINS Essential in small quantities for Metabolism Growth Physical well being Immune function Fat Soluble A, D, E, K Water Soluble B, C 14 VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS Vitamin D sunshine Horses doing prolonged strenuous activity, stress, acute and chronic illness require additional vitamins Vitamin A & E is lost with hay storage Vitamin B group synthesized by microbes in the hindgut 15 5
VITAMINS & HOOF FUNCTION B Vitamins Biotin important for hoof strength Cell to cell adhesion in the hoof wall Vitamin A Healthy epithelial tissue 16 HOOF CAPSULE Water Energy Protein Calcium Zinc Manganese Copper Selenium Vitamin E Biotin 17 Zinpro Corporation DERMIS Water Energy Protein Zinc Manganese Copper Selenium Vitamin E Vitamin C 18 Zinpro Corporation 6
CENTRAL CORE Energy Protein Calcium & phosphorus Zinc Manganese Copper Vitamin D Vitamin A 19 Zinpro Corporation SUMMARY Balanced nutrients in adequate amounts will help build the hoof from the inside out. 20 NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS Dry/Cracked hooves Lack of moisture Growth Rings Result from significant change in nutrition, or environmental or disease stress Laminitis Multiple causes 21 7
CAUSES OF LAMINITIS OVER 50% DIETARY CAUSES Grain Overload (7.4%) Lush Pasture (45.6) Unknown (15.4%) Other known (26.9%) Colic/Diarrhea (2.7%) Retained Placenta (2.1%) USDA NAHMS, 2000 22 LAMINITIS Inflammation of laminae of the foot Laminae is the soft tissue between the hoof wall and bone Laminae responsible for attaching the coffin bone to the hoof wall keeps the bones of the leg from coming through bottom of foot 23 LAMINITIS Inflammation damages laminae Laminae unable to hold coffin bone in position Coffin bone then sinks or rotates Tremendous Pain Lameness 24 8
RADIOGRAPHIC VIEW What is the difference between Laminitis and Founder? Founder is chronic laminitis with sinking of the coffin bone. 25 PHYSICAL SIGNS OF LAMINITIS Abnormal Stance Trying to alleviate pain Lameness straight line circle Strong Digital Pulse Accumulation of Heat in Foot 26 RISK FACTORS FOR LAMINITIS Laminitis is the possible RESULT of many disease conditions Risk Factors Include Carbohydrate Overload Colic or Diarrhea disruption of gut Retained Placenta Drug Reactions Systemic Infection 27 9
RISKFACTORS FOR LAMINITIS Cushing s Disease Lameness Spring / Autumn Pasture Insulin Resistance Obesity Genetics Frosted Grass Sudden change in diet 28 PREVENTING LAMINITIS Control Nutrition Factors Obesity Carbohydrate Overload Colic / Diarrhea Systemic Infection Pasture Cushing s + IR Dietary Changes 29 BODY CONDITION SCORE Used as a replacement for body weight visual estimate no scales needed Numeric system to establish fatness or thinness Most common 1 9 Low numbers = thin High numbers = fat 30 10
JUDGING BODYCONDITION Areas to look for fat A. neck B. withers C. back bone D. flank E. inner thigh F. tail head 31 EMACIATED (BCS 1) 32 VERY THIN (BCS 2) 33 11
THIN (BCS 3) 34 MODERATELY THIN (BCS 4) 35 MODERATE (BCS 5) 36 12
MODERATELY FLESHY (BCS 6) 37 FLESHY (BCS 7) 38 FAT (BCS 8) 39 13
EXTREMELY FAT (BCS 9) 40 CRESTY NECK SCORING Score of the amount of fat deposited along the crest of the neck Scale of 0 to 5 Does not consider fatness of the rest of the body 41 CNS 0 No palpable crest 42 14
CNS 1 No visual appearance of a crest, but slight filling felt with palpation 43 CNS 2 Noticeable appearance of a crest, but fat is deposited evenly from poll to withers. 44 CNS 3 Crest is enlarged and thickened, and begins to have a mounded appearance 45 15
CNS 4 Crest is grossly enlarged and thickened, may have wrinkles/creases perpendicular to topline. 46 CNS 5 Crest is so large that it permanently droops to one side 47 OBESE HORSE 1lb senior/day Senior ~ 1.3 Mcal/lb 1.3 x 365 days in the year = 474.5 Mcal Takes 10 Mcal to gain 1lb 475 Mcal = 47.5 lbs/year GAINED A WHOLE BODY CONDITION SCORE!! 48 16
LAMINITIS 10 year old Morgan Mare Current Body Weight = 1000 lbs Optimum Advanced laminitis with rotation, pain meds Mare maintains weight on good quality grass hay Outline feeding goals What situations should be avoided? 49 LAMINITISFEEDING GOALS Maximize Forage, Minimize soluble CHO Proper Fortification of TM and Vitamins Maintain weight at or slightly below optimum Supplements: Fat if need wt gain Hoof Supplement repair? Avoid Excessive Wt gain or soluble CHO 50 17