Thirty-Two Weeks of Oral Supplementation with LinPro™ Increases Hoof Growth in Healthy Mares.
Authors: Suagee-Bedore Jessica K, Hebrock Steven, Sundin Olivia, Lengi Andrea J, Corl Benjamin A, Worth Melyni
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: LinPro™ Supplementation and Hoof Growth in Mares LinPro™, a commercially available supplement containing biotin and specific fatty acids, was evaluated over 32 weeks in ten healthy Quarter Horse mares to determine whether daily supplementation at 113 g would measurably increase hoof wall growth rates. Researchers trimmed hooves every eight weeks and tracked growth from a marked point 2.5 cm below the coronary band, whilst measuring plasma biotin concentrations and analysing fatty acid composition in hoof tissue samples. Supplemented mares demonstrated significantly greater total front hoof growth over the full study period (2.65 cm versus 2.18 cm; P = .048), with a notable trend towards increased growth per trimming cycle (0.64 cm versus 0.55 cm; P = .085), alongside substantially elevated plasma biotin levels and higher proportions of erucic acid in hoof tissue. These findings suggest LinPro™ may offer a practical tool for practitioners seeking to optimise hoof growth in otherwise healthy horses, though the modest absolute difference (approximately 0.5 cm over 32 weeks) warrants consideration when assessing cost-benefit for individual clients. Further investigation into whether such supplementation provides benefit in horses with compromised hoof quality or metabolic conditions would strengthen the evidence base for broader clinical application.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •LinPro supplementation can modestly improve hoof growth rates in healthy horses, potentially benefiting horses with slow hoof growth or frequent shoeing requirements
- •The supplement's mechanism appears to involve biotin elevation and altered fatty acid profiles in hoof tissue; consider recommending to clients whose horses have naturally slow hoof growth
- •This study examined only healthy mares without pre-existing hoof problems; effectiveness in horses with compromised hoof quality or pathological conditions remains unknown
Key Findings
- •LinPro supplementation (113 g daily for 32 weeks) increased total front hoof growth by 21.6% compared to controls (2.65 ± 0.15 vs. 2.18 ± 0.12 cm; P = 0.048)
- •Supplemented horses showed greater hoof growth per 8-week trimming cycle (0.64 ± 0.03 vs. 0.55 ± 0.03 cm; P = 0.085)
- •LinPro increased plasma biotin concentrations 3.4-fold in supplemented horses (2158 ± 69 vs. 636 ± 62 ng/L; P < 0.001)
- •Supplemented horses had increased erucic acid proportions in hoof tissue (1.03 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.07%; P = 0.049)