Comparison of the Mineral Profile of Two Types of Horse Diet, Silage and Commercial Concentrate, and Their Impacts on Hoof Tensile Strength.
Authors: Rueda-Carrillo Gabriel, Rosiles-Martínez René, Corona-Gochi Luis, Hernández-García Anaid, López-Navarro Gabriela, Trigo-Tavera Francisco
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Recognising that dietary mineral composition directly influences hoof structural integrity, this 2022 study investigated how silage- and concentrate-based diets affected mineral profiles and tensile strength in 32 Spanish horses over 12 months, analysing key minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron) via atomic absorption spectrometry and measuring hoof tensile strength with an Instron universal testing machine. Whilst silage contained significantly higher magnesium and iron concentrations, horses receiving commercial concentrate showed elevated magnesium, potassium and sodium levels in their hooves—findings that become clinically relevant given the inverse relationship between zinc and sodium levels and tensile strength (each microgram per gramme of zinc reduced tensile strength by 0.10 N/mm² and sodium by 0.003 N/mm²). The research also revealed that hormonal stage influenced hoof mineral deposition and tensile properties, suggesting sex and reproductive status warrant consideration alongside nutritional management. For farriers and veterinarians, these results underscore that feed type fundamentally reshapes hoof mineral composition and structural properties; concentrate-based diets may paradoxically produce hooves with higher mineral concentrations but potentially compromised tensile strength if zinc and sodium levels become excessive, indicating that blanket mineral supplementation without mineralogical analysis could prove counterproductive. Nutritionists should consider individualising mineral ratios rather than assuming that increased mineral content uniformly benefits hoof quality, particularly where zinc management is concerned.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Commercial concentrate feeding increases hoof mineral concentrations (Mg, K, Na) but may paradoxically reduce tensile strength; conversely, silage provides higher Fe and Mg from forage sources which may support better hoof integrity
- •Excessive Zn and Na in the hoof appear detrimental to tensile strength—monitor mineral balance in concentrate supplementation rather than assuming 'more minerals' equals stronger hooves
- •Hormonal stage influences hoof mineral composition and strength; consider reproductive cycle timing when assessing hoof quality changes and attributing them solely to diet
Key Findings
- •Silage diet contained significantly higher Mg and Fe levels than commercial concentrate (p < 0.05)
- •Commercial concentrate-fed horses had higher hoof Mg, K, and Na concentrations compared to silage-fed horses (p < 0.05)
- •Each unit increase in hoof Zn reduced tensile strength by −0.10 N/mm² and each unit increase in Na reduced tensile strength by −0.003 N/mm²
- •Diet type significantly influenced hoof tensile strength over 12 months, with hormonal stage also affecting Mg, Zn, K, and tensile strength (p < 0.05)