There is strong scientific support for the use of biotin supplements to improve hoof quality and strength in horse hooves, particularly, those with brittle, cracked, or poor-growing hooves.

We recommend a concentrated biotin supplement such as    Opti-HOOF | Biotin for horse hooves

Here are some of the clinical studies using biotin supplements:

Scientific Evidence with proven results

1. Effect on Hoof Growth and Hardness:
  • Study (Comben et al, 1984): horses with poor-quality hooves showed significant improvement in hoof horn integrity after biotin supplementation at a rate of 15–30 mg daily, for 5–10 months.

  • Study (Kempson, 1990):  horses supplemented with 20 mg biotin daily showed significant improvement in hoof horn quality, which included increased tubule density and inter-tubular hoof horn strength.

  • Study (Buffa et al, 1992): 15 mg per day of biotin for over 10 months gave greater hoof hardness. The rate of hoof growth was increased using 15 mg daily, more so, than using a lesser amount of 7.5 mg per day equestriantradenews.com+1vet.ker.com+1.

2. Clinical Improvements in Hoof Conditions
  • Study (Reilly et al, 1998): A double-blind controlled study demonstrated that biotin led to statistically significant improvements in hoof wall hardness and thickness.
  • American Farriers Research (2024): 20 riding horses were dosed at 0.01 mg/kg bodyweight (equal to 5–6 mg per day per 500 kg horse) for 6 months. The biotin group gained 2.8 mm more front-hoof and 5.9 mm more hind-hoof growth than controls, particularly benefiting older horses reddit.com+15americanfarriers.com+15pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15.

 

How long does it take biotin to take effect?

Significant improvements are usually noticed after 6 months.

How does biotin work?

Biotin improves new hoof horn quality and strength

What happens after I stop using biotin?

Hoof quality will regress once biotin supplement is stopped.

Do I need to use other nutrients with biotin?

Biotin works best alongside a good diet with also adequate levels of protein.

How much biotin is absorbed? and what is an effective level of biotin?

The most absorbed is around 25 mg daily. An effective daily dose is 15-20 m daily.

 +3pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3vet.ker.com+3vet.ker.comallaboutfeed.netvet.ker.com+15reddit.com+15equinespecialists.co.nz+15ranvet.com.au+1prydes.com.au+1equinatural.co.uk

What are the best hoof supplements for horses?

Biotin and a good diet are the two things that promote healthy hoof growth.

7 Proven reasons to use biotin:
  1. Grow quality hoof horn
  2. Increase durability and strength
  3. Accelerate hoof growth
  4. Increase hoof wall thickness
  5. Grow out splits and cracks
  6. Reduce white line separation and infection
  7. Significantly improve hoof health long term

Conclusion:

  • New hoof grows down from the coronet. Expect at least 6 months to see improvements as the hoof grows out.

  • For best results, biotin should be part of a balanced nutritional program. Get on track with tougher hooves today, try:   Opti-HOOF | Biotin for horse hooves

  • Newer studies up to 2024 support earlier evidence of consistent daily doses of 15-20 mg/day per average size horse to improve hoof quality and hoof growth in horses with poor hooves.
  • Where diet is mainly forage and hoof quality is poor, we recommend Opti-Min | Best Horse minerals | Vitamins     to top up all nutrients including biotin.