Biotin for Horses
Biotin is a member of the B-vitamin family and is essential for cell growth, serving as a sort of intercellular “glue.” A biotin deficiency in horses may result in reduced hoof quality, such as a thin and friable hoof wall, crumbling and cracks, and a soft white line. As a result, supplementing with biotin is a smart choice for owners who want to support their horse’s hoof health.
Source and Bioavailability of Biotin for Horses
Biotin is naturally found in the horse's diet, with alfalfa hay, oats, barley, and soybean meal providing moderate amounts and corn very little. It is also produced by microorganisms in the horse’s GI tract. However, there is evidence that supplementing with additional biotin may be helpful in certain horses to address issues of hoof quality such as hardness, integrity, strength, and even growth rate.
Serving size: According to Equine Clinical and Applied Nutrition, the amount of biotin recommended for average-sized horses with poor-quality horn is 15-20mg/day, while Nutrient Requirement for Horses suggests a higher intake of 30mg/day. It is also recommended that biotin be supplemented daily for at least 6 to 9 months and that if the hoof responds, then to provide supplemental biotin on a continual basis.
Complementary ingredients: Since hooves may benefit from additional nutrients, methionine, an amino acid, and the trace minerals zinc and copper are often paired with biotin.
Toxicity: Effects of excess biotin have not been seen in the horse, and therefore an upper daily limit of biotin has not been set.
Not sure which supplement is right for your horse? We have compiled comparison charts so that you can compare active ingredient amounts in the Hoof Supplement category.
Biotin 800Z is a palatable, extra-strength hoof supplement for horses. It is formulated with concentrated, essential ingredients needed for healthy, strong, and resilient hooves. These key ingredients will also support the overall condition of your horse’s skin and coat. Each one ounce serving provides biotin, zinc, copper, methionine, amino acids, minerals, and omega fatty acids. In addition, the formula includes yeast cultures to support the proper digestion of nutrients. Biotin 800Z is available in an easy-to-give alfalfa-based pellet with molasses flavoring.
Biotin Plus is a palatable, economical biotin supplement. Biotin Plus helps aid in hoof growth and improves weak or cracked hooves. Biotin Plus contains 50 mg biotin per scoop, plus additional ingredients for a beautiful mane, tail, and coat.
Unbeatable value! SmartHoof® Pellets contain 25 mg of biotin along with methionine, lysine, threonine, copper, zinc, gelatin, and other ingredients vital to strong, resilient hooves. SmartHoof® Pellets are the smart approach to healthy hooves!
Horseshoer's Secret® is a pelleted hoof supplement for all horses. When your horse's feet could use some extra help, turn to the nutritional supplements recommended by top farriers. Trust Horseshoer's Secret Pelleted Hoof Supplement original formula to provide key nutrition to help support cracked hooves and weak hoof walls. Highly palatable and easy-to-feed with ingredients like biotin, protein, calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, methionine, lysine, yeast culture, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Learn More about Horseshoer's Secret
New Look, Same Great Formula!: Please be advised that this product is undergoing a manufacturing packaging update. While they are making the transition, the product you receive may look different to the gallon pictured. However, we would like to ensure you that the product formula has not changed.
- Helps support cracked hooves and weak walls
- Helps support normal hoof growth
- Highly palatable and easy to administer
Learn More about Horseshoer's Secret
New Look, Same Great Formula!: Please be advised that this product is undergoing a manufacturing packaging update. While they are making the transition, the product you receive may look different to the gallon pictured. However, we would like to ensure you that the product formula has not changed.
Farrier's Formula® is the original hoof supplement, validated through independent university research, and the #1 recommended* hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years. Provides a comprehensive selection of nutrients for the health of the hoof, skin, and coat!
The nutrients in Farrier's Formula® Double Strength, important for a healthy hoof, are provided at twice the concentration compared to original Farrier's Formula® with the taste that horses love!
The 11 lb nitrogen-flushed vacuum package or 11 lb bucket deliver:
- Twice the number of daily doses compared to original Farrier's Formula®
- A 60 day supply for a 1,000 lb horse at the adult replenishment/maintenance Feeding Level
- Added benefit of being more economical to feed compared to original Farrier's Formula®.
*#1 According to an annual survey performed by the American Farrier’s Journal.
Made in the USA
Watch Dr. Sue Kempson speak about the research behind Farrier's Formula®
View our Hoof Supplement Comparison Chart
Original Farrier's Formula® in buckets or bags
Over 30 years of equine nutritional research, clinical trials and field testing have gone into every cup of Farrier's Formula®. While no single nutrient is the key to a healthy hoof, studies show that most horses with hoof problems respond to better overall nutrition. Farrier's Formula® provides lecithin, DL-methionine, ascorbic acid, copper, zinc, biotin, and other nutrients that allow the horse's liver and hoof corium to build and assemble a highly crosslinked hoof wall that is denser and more resistant to cracking or drying out. Farrier’s Formula® works because it furnishes all the nutrients known to be deficient if there is a problem with hoof growth or hoof quality.
Feed at the replenishment feeding level (1 cup/170 g for a 1,000 lb horse) for horses with hoof problems.
Made in the USA
Feed at the replenishment feeding level (1 cup/170 g for a 1,000 lb horse) for horses with hoof problems.
Made in the USA
Everyone’s heard the phrase “no hoof, no horse.” Proper nutrition plays a key role in hoof health, which is why giving your horse comprehensive support for strong, resilient hooves is a smart choice. Daily support from a supplement in this category is a great idea if your horse has multiple challenges to his hoof health, including less-than-ideal growth, quality, or circulation. Additionally, it’s worth consideration if your horse experiences discomfort associated with exercise and aging. It may also be a smart addition to your horse’s diet if he has limited turnout or if you want to proactively provide the most comprehensive support for his hoof health.
SmartHoof Ultra Pellets are the solution for weak hooves in need of more aggressive nutritional support! This formula provides 35 mg of biotin for promoting healthy hoof wall growth. Higher levels of the key ingredients lysine, methionine, threonine and vitamin C are vital to healthy, resilient connective tissue such as hoof wall. Help your horse put their best foot forward with SmartHoof Ultra Pellets!
View our Hoof Supplement Comparison Chart
View our Hoof Supplement Comparison Chart
A concentrated horse hoof supplement with no fillers. A field-tested and farrier-approved horse hoof supplement for supporting strong, healthy hooves. Comes in a concentrated serving size—just two ounces—with no fillers. Nutritionist-formulated with targeted hoof nutrients to hep provide the essential building blocks that support strong, healthy hooves. Zinpro Performance Minerals delivers essential hoof minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, and cobalt) in chelated form for optimal utilization. All-natural prebiotic that supports the gastrointestinal tract so horses get the most out of every pellet.
Omega Horseshine® is a premium omega 3 essential fatty acid supplement made with fortified, stabilized, ground flax. Horse Journal's: "Product of the Year!", "Our First Pick - Most Concentrated Source of Quality Omega-3", & "Recommended Immune-Boosting Product". Recommended by John Lyons' Perfect Horse.
Omega Horseshine®:
Made in the USA
Omega Horseshine®:
- Promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat, plus normal shedding
- Supports strong, durable hooves
- Benefits mares in gestation, lactation, and growth
- Benefits foals in gestation, lactation, and growth
- Support top performance
- Low NSC (4.4%), as recommended for IR/Cushing's horses
Made in the USA
Cosequin® is the #1 veterinarian recommended joint health supplement brand*. Cosequin ASU Joint & Hoof Pellets are veterinarian formulated with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and boswellia serrata extract to provide joint health support for equine athletes regardless of discipline or performance level. The addition of biotin, copper, zinc and essential amino acids methionine and lysine provides comprehensive hoof support to promote hoof durability, strength, and growth. When performance matters, choose Cosequin.
*Survey conducted among equine veterinarians who recommended oral joint health supplements.
- Joint Health Support for Horses: This supplement is formulated with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) to support joint health.
- Powered by ASU: The combination of ASU, glucosamine, and chondroitin found in Cosequin ASU have been shown to be more effective supporting joint health than either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate alone in cell culture studies.
- Easy to Serve: Cosequin?ASU Joint & Hoof Pellets combine our scientifically researched, proprietary ingredients into a tasty, tiny pellet preferred by horses and horse owners.
- Formulated for Your Horse: The addition of biotin, copper, zinc and essential amino acids methionine and lysine provides comprehensive hoof support to promote hoof durability, strength and growth.
- Backed by Science: Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences supplements are veterinarian formulated with high-quality ingredients to support your horse’s joint health, no matter their discipline or performance level.
*Survey conducted among equine veterinarians who recommended oral joint health supplements.
Omega Horseshine® Complete is intended to provide a comprehensive selection of vitamins and minerals in a flaxseed-based supplement to help your horse look, feel, and perform his best. This formula contains a selection of key vitamins and minerals to help meet the nutritional requirements that your horse needs for optimal health. With a base of stabilized, ground flaxseed, this supplement offers a full spectrum of essential fatty acids, including an optimal ratio of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that help maintain overall wellness as well as healthy skin and a shiny coat. Because the flax seed is stabilized, it offers a longer shelf life. Additionally, the flax seed is fortified during the stabilization process with vitamin B6 and zinc, two of the nutrients that a horse’s body uses to metabolize flax seed. It also contains Diamond V® yeast to help maintain digestive stability, 15 mg of biotin for hoof support, and antioxidants that may help combat the effects of oxidative stress associated with normal exercise and aging. Plus, this supplement has a low NSC of 5% maximum, making it a suitable choice for easy keepers or horses on sugar-restricted diets. Finally, both you and your horse will love that Omega Horseshine Complete offers concentrated support in a convenient, smaller serving size than the original Omega Horseshine formula. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement for horses that is rich in omega 3s or a skin and coat supplement that’s designed to do more.
From the #1 vet recommended joint health supplement brand, Nutramax®, now offers hoof support. Formulated to promote health in your horse from the ground up, Calxequin® provides the necessary nutrients that your horses might be missing from their daily diet. These tasty pellets deliver ingredients such as 20 mg of biotin, key minerals for healthy hoof growth, and amino acids such as methionine and lysine to support hoof integrity. In addition, includes is 1000 IU of Vitamin E and 1 mg of Selenium, important antioxidants that work together to support a healthy immune system and help neutralize free radicals, the damaging by-products of normal cellular activity. The nutrients in Calxequin are safe and readily absorbed in balanced proportions to support the progress of growing stronger, more durable hooves.
- Contains 20 mg of biotin, 90 mg of copper, 360 mg of zinc, and essential amino acids methionine and lysine
- Promotes hoof durability, integrity, and growth for all horses
ReitSport is an outstanding all-in-one formula for joint, hoof, coat, and digestive support! This formula features HorseTech’s popular human-grade flaxseed base, which is rich in natural omega 3 fatty acids. Each 4 oz. serving of Reitsport provides 30 mg of biotin and 15 g of omega 3 fatty acids, along with Zinpro brand organic trace minerals, methionine, 10,000 mg of glucosamine HCl, 2,000 mg of chondroitin sulfate, 10,000 mg of OptiMSM brand MSM, and 4,500 mg of vitamin C, plus a complete probiotic package. ReitSport is a SmartPak customer favorite!
We also offer ReitSport C, a special concentrated form of ReitSport that is made specially for SmartPaks. ReitSport C combines the active ingredients of two of HorseTech’s most popular products, Glanzen 3, and TriSport. Buckets contain the original, non-concentrated formula of Reitsport.
We also offer ReitSport C, a special concentrated form of ReitSport that is made specially for SmartPaks. ReitSport C combines the active ingredients of two of HorseTech’s most popular products, Glanzen 3, and TriSport. Buckets contain the original, non-concentrated formula of Reitsport.
