[Scrap] Annotated Bibliography || Equine Hoof Anatomy

Hannah Foraker
Professor
College Composition 1020
24 June 2014

Nourishing the Hoof Wall

Anatomy and Physiology of the Horn

An Annotated Bibliography

"Biotin Basics." : News: Kentucky Equine Research. Kentucky Equine Research, n.d. Web. 24

June 2014.   <http://www.ker.com/library/health/2010/08/biotin-basics.html>.

Biotin is a b-vitamin that is found in a majority of the cells in the body. Biotin assists in the growth and repair of skin, hair, and hooves. Biotin isn’t easily digested, but 15-25mg daily has shown significant improvement in hoof health. It takes a whole year for the hoof wall to grow, so consistent supplementation for 8-15 months is necessary. Hoof growth slows in cold weather, and speeds up in hot weather.

Kentucky Equine Research is one of few to put supplements to the test. It is relatively easy to test hoof supplements versus more internal supplements. The hoof visually shows how effective the oral aids are or are not. Biotin is one of the few minerals where more is actually better.

Briggs, Karen. "Hoof Supplements: Feeding The Feet." TheHorse.com. The Horse, 1 Sept. 2000.

Web. 20 June 2014. <http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10120/hoof-supplements-feeding-the-feet>.
            In order to achieve a healthy hoof, genetics and nutrition both play a role. A horse with perfect nutrition still may have brittle and dry hooves due to the fact it is predisposed due to its parents. In these cases, Biotin is the most successful hoof supplement. Biotin is involved in glucose metabolism, the process of cell growth and division. The B-vitamin plays a role in nearly all connective tissues in the body. In 1991 a double blind study was done with the vitamin. Over the course of 2 years, horses were supplemented with biotin. After only nine months, there was significant improvement in the previously cracked hooves; the placebo group remained unchanged.
            Though with minimal research, the effects of biotin seem apparent. Biotin improved the quality and appearance of hooves, from the inside out. Though it takes around a year for there to be any significant improvement, the improvement is evident. There are side effects of improved coat too!

Frackowiak, Hieronim, and Marcin Komosa. "The Dynamics Of Hoof Growth Of The Primitive

Konik Horses ( Equus Caballus Gmelini Ant.) In An Annual Cycle." Biological Rhythm Research 37.3 (2006): 223-232. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 June 2014. <http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libauth.tri-c.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a3244e48-b5c3-4db0-b7b5-b492d406b442%40sessionmgr4002&vid=2&hid=4114>

A study of the annual cycle of hoof growth of a herd of Konik horses was recently conducted by Biological Rhythm Research. Researchers studied 38 horses, 31 mares and 7 stallions; major factors that affected the data were age and gender. Due to this, the herd was studied as young mares, older mares, and stallions. Results showed that the hoof wall grew fastest during the solar days May-July, and growth immediately slowed in August until the following May.

The young mares had the fastest growing hooves, followed by the stallions, and then older mares. These horses are as close as researchers can get to analyzing the hoof growth of wild horses. This herd had vast acres of terrain to move and graze on, exposing the hoof horn to the natural elements. Adapting to the climate changes, the Konik have maintained a strong hoof wall.

Komosa, M., H. Frąckowiak, and H. Purzyc. "Influence Of Lactation On Hoof Horn Growth In

Thoroughbred Horses During The Annual Cycle." Biological Rhythm Research 43.5 (2012): 577-583. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 June 2014. <http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libauth.tri-c.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7fdd1faf-905b-472e-b594-db0af6c43a06%40sessionmgr4003&vid=2&hid=4114>.

A study of how lactating affects a mare’s hoof wall growth was recently conducted by Biological Rhythm Research. Researchers studied the hoof horn growth in twenty three thoroughbred mares, sixteen which were lactating and seven of which were the control group. Hoof wall growth is related both to genetics and nutrition, all the horses were fed equally. Researchers marked each of the mare’s hooves and measured them every 45 days. At the end of the year, results showed that lactation decreases the hoof horn growth.

Upon further evaluation, researchers go on to describe “Basal cells of the epidermis make the continuous regeneration of the hoof horn possible. The cells transform into keratinocytes – cells producing keratin. They undergo cornification causing the growth of the horn capsule (Leach and Oliphant 1983).” The hoof has a lifelong continuous regeneration. When a mare is lactating, energy and nutrients are redirected from the hoof towards lactation. Logical sense has been made of the research.

Pollitt, Christopher. "Anatomy and physiology of the inner hoof wall." Clinical Techniques in

Equine Practice 3: 3-21. Web. 24 June 2014. <http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/article.cgi?issn=15347516&issue=v03i0001&article=3_aapotihw>

Pollitt writes about the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s hoof wall, starting all with keratin cells. The stratum medium is the thickest of three layers of the hoof wall, supporting the bulk of the horse’s weight. Constant regeneration of the wall occurs at the coronet, producing more keratinocytes. Fully keratinized cells cement the hoof wall firmly together, also forming a protective barrier against the element.

Such a science filled journal where there is no room for opinion, only fact and theory. The journal continues on to explain the inner workings of the hoof, though the hoof wall details is all that was needed. Pollitt references other researchers to support his work.