Mega Hoof Complex Product Details
By: TLC Animal Nutrition, Inc
Reilly et al. (1998) examined the effect of .12mg/kg bodyweight on growth and growth rate of the hooves of eight paired ponies. After five months, treated ponies had a significantly faster mean hoof growth at the midline compared to control animals. Biotin dose equivalent to 60mg/day in a 1,100lb thoroughbred horse.
Zinc & Copper are responsible for improving the integrity of the horn, itself. Horses deficient in either one, or both of these nutrients will tend to lose shoes and have cracks in their hooves. This deficiency may also be responsible for poor frog and sole health. As the integrity of the hoof is improved, the quality of the white line will improve, which can aid in preventing penetration of bacteria that can lead to white line and thrush. Ideally the nutrient ratio of zinc:copper should lie between 3:1 & 5:1.
Coenen and Spitzlei (1997) performed a study that showed supplementation with 300-500mg of zinc per day led to an increase in the zinc content of the horn. A recent study in Japan reported that horses consuming diets low in zinc and copper were more likely to have white line disease than horses that were supplemented with higher levels of these trace minerals (Hihami, 1999) The nutrient balance between zinc:copper is very important.
l- Lysine is an essential amino acid, which is considered as ‘rate limiting’. This means that in the absence of lysine, the other amino acids don’t absorb as well. This is important to improve efficiency in protein utilization, which will ultimately growth, blood building, tissue repair, and muscle development. In a hoof supplement it directly applies to how well the l-Methionine is absorbed to enhance the Keratin content in the hoof (Keratin is the protein responsible for improving the strength of the cellular bonds that make up the hoof material).
l-Methionine is an essential amino acid, which is required by the body to assist in the formation of Cysteine & Keratin. Essentially, they help to strengthen the cellular bonds that would need to be improved when deteriorating hoof conditions are evident. The domestic horse today tends to fall short of the required levels of l-Methionine and Lysine, so supplementing several thousand milligrams daily is a great way to ensure they’re meeting their requirements.
A
study by Coenen and Spitzlei (1997) shows that 93% of the horses hoof
is comprised of protein. Most of this protein is in the form of keratin,
which is primarily comprised of Cysteine. Since cysteine can only be
manufactured in the presence of l-Methionine, the amount of keratin
produced depends directly on l-Methionine intake.
Back to product page: Mega Hoof Complex
Ingredients:
Wheat Middlings, Biotin, Dehydrated Forage Products, l-Methionine,
l-Lysine, Molasses, Zinc Proteinate, Milled Flax Seed, Copper
Proteinate, Propionic Acid, Pridoxine HCl.
References:
Coenen M, Spitzlei S. The composition of equine hoof horn with regard to its quality (hardness) and nutrient supply of horses, Proceedings of the fifteenth equine nutrition and physiology symposium, 1997; 209-212.
Reilly JD, Collins S, Cope B, Hopegood L, Latham RJ. Properties of the hoof wall and responses to nutrition. International Conference on Equine Laminitis 1998; 9-10