Hoof Builders

1. Hoof Builders • Biotin, methionine, trace minerals, B-vitamins, gelatin, yeast culture, lysine, Ester-C, fatty acids, yucca

2. Hoof Builders • Biotin – some effectiveness • 15 mg per day • Long-term results (5 mo)

3. Hoof Builders • Methionine • High S-containing amino acids in keratin and hoof proteins • Improved hoof growth in dairy cows but not in sheep

4. Hoof Builders • Gelatin • 30 and 90 g/100 kg BW to ponies • No effect on hoof growth, strength or elasticity

5. Joint Support • MSM, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, manganese, Ester-C • Hypothesis: additional building blocks for formation & maintenance of joint cartilage

6. MSM - Methylsulfnylmethane • Derivative of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), supplies bioavailable S • Hypothesis: ↓ allergic reactions, ↓ colic, ↓ pain & inflammation • Effectiveness is mostly anecdotal

7. Glucosamine • Building block of cartilage • Hypothesis: anti-inflammatory, repair normal joint cartilage • Human & equine studies – absorbed orally, effective in improving some pain/lameness • 10 g per day needed

8. Chondroitin sulfate • Building block of cartilage • Hypothesis: anti-inflammatory, repair normal joint cartilage • Human & canine studies – very low absorption, probably not useful as oral supplement

9. Mn & Ester-C • Enzyme reactions in cartilage synthesis, antioxidant • If balanced diet - not necessary • Vitamin C synthesized by animal • Canine studies - Ester-C beneficial • No research in horses

10. Muscle Builders • Creatine, DMG (dimethylglycine), amino acids, gamma-oryzanol, HMB • Plant sterol - used by body builders • Human studies - no effect in healthy people • No research in horses

11. HMB • Hydroxymethylbutyrate • Metabolite of leucine • Involved in cholesterol synthesis and initiation of protein synthesis • Hypothesis: ↑ muscle function

12. HMB • Human studies – ↑ aerobic exercise performance, ↑ muscular strength • Equine studies – small ↑ in endurance, ↓ muscle tissue breakdown in race training • Not enough research to recommend