Preliminary Study on the Connection Between the Mineral Profile of Horse Hooves and Tensile Strength Based on Body Weight, Sex, Age, Sampling Location, and Riding Disciplines.
Authors: Rueda-Carrillo Gabriel, Rosiles-Martínez René, Hernández-García Anaid Ireri, Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar, Trigo-Tavera Francisco J
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hoof mineral composition and structural integrity are fundamental to locomotor soundness, yet characterisation of these properties across different equine populations remains limited. Researchers analysed 165 hoof samples from Mexican horses of varying sex, age, breed, and use, quantifying mineral concentrations and measuring tensile strength using a universal testing machine to determine whether demographic and management factors influenced hoof biomechanical properties. Potassium, sodium, and calcium dominated the mineral profile (3,416, 2,242, and 631 µg/g respectively), with female horses demonstrating significantly higher zinc levels than males, younger animals (<3 years) showing lower sodium than those aged 3–5 years, and breeding stock exhibiting reduced magnesium compared to racing and working horses; tensile strength varied considerably (1.2–45 N) but showed no consistent relationship with sex, age, discipline, or geographic location, though location-specific differences in calcium, selenium, sodium, and copper suggested environmental or nutritional variation. These findings suggest that whilst hoof mineral profiles do vary according to use type and individual characteristics, additional research linking specific dietary regimes, individual horse factors, and mineral content to mechanical properties is needed before practitioners can tailor supplementation strategies to optimise hoof quality and prevent structural failure.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Mineral composition of hooves varies by location and use, but these variations do not consistently predict hoof strength or quality—focus on overall nutrition and individual horse characteristics rather than breed or discipline-based mineral assumptions
- •Young horses (under 3 years) may require attention to sodium status, while female horses may have different zinc requirements than males, suggesting individualized nutritional assessment may be more useful than population-level recommendations
- •Hoof tensile strength showed wide variability within the study population; farriers and veterinarians should monitor individual hoof quality rather than relying on demographic factors to predict structural integrity
Key Findings
- •Potassium (3,416 μg/g), sodium (2,242 μg/g), and calcium (631 μg/g) were the most abundant minerals in equine hooves
- •Females had significantly higher zinc levels than males (P < 0.05)
- •Horses younger than 3 years had lower sodium levels than those aged 3-5 years (P < 0.05)
- •No significant relationship was found between sex, age, breed, riding discipline, or sampling location and hoof tensile strength (range 1.2-45 N)