Ingredients Synovium Hoof Health

Het product, Synovium Hoof Health, contains scientifically proven dosages of Biotin, Zinc, Copper and Methionine. These ingredients support and promote hoof quality and growth in the horse.

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, supports the production of Keratin and thus the quality of the hooves 1. The horse’s hoof wall consists, among other things, of Keratin, a mixture of complex proteins. Keratin provides the strength of the hoof wall and has a low moisture content. In addition, the addition of Biotin also supports hoof growth 2. Research has shown that continuous supplementation of Biotin has a significant positive effect on hoof quality, especially in horses with poor to very poor hoof quality.

Zinc and Copper are two trace minerals that are important for hoof quality and structure. Zinc is an important element for the formation and maintenance of hoof wall cells and the keratinisation process, i.e., the hardening of the hooves 3. Copper is important for the production of enzymes needed to form the keratin strands that make up the hoof wall 2. Moreover, Copper in combination with Zinc ensures that fats in the hooves are protected against damage, which can lead to hoof dehydration. A deficiency in these trace elements can result in brittle and dry hooves.

For Keratin production, dietary amino acids are important. Hoof Health contains the essential amino acid Methionine, which is used by the body to produce the amino acid Cysteine. Cysteine contributes to the strong structure of Keratin, affecting the quality and hardness of the hoof 4.

Synovium Hoof Health is a pellet-form product. This makes it easy to add to the feed, but it can also be given before or after feeding.

Test horses – Initial phase

The test group consisted of a mixed group of mares and geldings aged between 13 and 17 years. Diets mainly consisted of sufficient roughage supplemented with concentrate feed and a few supplements. Common hoof problems in these horses before the start of the test phase included: reduced hoof wall quality, thin soles, hooves affected by fungus and poor growth. During the test period, owners completed a questionnaire every 3 months to assess progress

First Visible Difference 

Although horse hooves grow slowly, the questionnaire showed that several horses exhibited visible differences within one month. The differences were described as subtle improvements in hoof growth. After the first three months, 80 % of the horses showed a clear difference. Owners reported that the hooves were less brittle and the growth and quality had clearly improved.

Supplement Intake

Synovium Hoof Health is a pellet-form supplement. This makes it easy to mix with feed or even to feed besides main meals. The questionnaires indicated that the horses readily accepted the supplement right away. In all horses, the supplement was mixed with other feeds. One owner divided the pellets over two feedings. The rest of the owners administered the daily dose in one feeding. At the end of the study, most horses were still eating the pellets well. Except for one horse that, in the final two weeks, did not consume the full dose.

Farrier Observations

The owners’ opinions were supplemented by feedback from the farriers who worked with the test horses. Eighty percent of the farriers reported a positive impact from the supplementation on hoof growth and quality. They also observed noticeable improvements in both the growth and the quality of the hooves.

Final Result After 9 Months’ Supplementation

After a 9-month test period with the supplement added to the horses’ diets, 80 % of the owners reported visible positive changes compared to the initial phase. Results indicated that 40% of horses experienced fewer issues with brittle hooves after nine months of supplementation, while 60% demonstrated improved hoof growth. Additionally, 10% of the horses showed noticeable improvement in their frogs, along with growth and structural enhancements. Overall, 80% of owners reported a clear improvement in hoof growth and quality compared to the beginning of the study. However, 20% of the test horses showed no visible improvement during the testing period. This lack of progress may be attributed to several factors, including reduced supplement intake. Interestingly, one owner noted that their horse’s mane had improved in growth during the test period. Below are some photos of the hooves of several horses from this study, showing the hooves in the initial phase, after 3 months, and at the final stage of the study.