Brief Hoof Secret Analysis

Hoof Secret by Cox Vet Lab

$70 for a 25lbs Tub
200 day supply at 2oz daily
$0.35/day¹

Hoof Secret is yet another amazing product made by Cox Vet Laboratory. In the above table, Hoof Secret is compared side by side with some of the most popular hoof supplements on the market. SmartHoof, SmartHoof Ultra, Farriers Formula Double Strength, and Grand Hoof, respectively. A few ingredients are bolded, and that is because they are particularly important to improving the horse’s hoof.

Ingredients [and their Functions]:

Amino Acids || The hoof wall is approximately 90% protein. Alanine, glycine, and cysteine are the main amino acids [building blocks of protein] of the hoof wall. The horse’s body can manufacture alanine by exercising, and glycine via glucose production. “Cysteine, however, is produced by the body from methionine, and methionine is an essential amino acid. An "essential" nutrient is one that must be present in the diet.”² [2oz of Hoof Secret contains 854.5mg of Glycine & 4571mg of Methionine]

Biotin || Biotin is a form of Vitamin B and has shown that with 15 to 25mg supplementation there is significant improvement in hoof health.³ It “stimulates the maturation of skin cells at the coronary band into the specialized horn cells of the hoof wall and increases the production of keratin, the structural protein of the hoof wall.”⁴ Biotin only affects new hoof growth, not pre-existing hoof. Due to that fact a hoof supplement should only be used if you devote to it for approximately a year; as that’s how long it takes for a whole new hoof wall to grow.

Zinc || “Zinc contains proteins that are responsible for the helical structure of hoof keratin. A zinc deficiency can impact everything from growth to wall thickness to strength of the hoof. An enzyme in the hoof prevents damage to the lipid barrier of the hoof.”⁴

Copper || “Copper regulates the metabolism of actively dividing cells and is needed to form the reinforcing cross links between keratin proteins. Deficiencies of these two [Zinc & Copper] minerals are believed to cause soft feet, cracks, sole hemorrhages and increased risk of abscesses, thrush and laminitis.”⁴

Full Ingredient List || http://www.bigdweb.com/labelpdfs/7789S.pdf

The following is not a Hoof Secret ingredient, but important to consider:

 

Omega-3 || “Fats are an important component of the hoof wall, forming a barrier that keeps water out and prevents the internal tissues from losing moisture.” The horse’s body can manufacture the most important hoof wall fats; cholesterol sulfate and squalene. Though an essential fat that must be consume is Omega-3. Omega-3 is naturally found in forage. The 2^nd best source of Omega-3 is flaxseed or flaxseed oil, though never exceed 8oz of any type of flax.<sup>2
 


Derby & Hoof Secret</sup>

I was completely ecstatic with joy when I discovered Hoof Secret. Both of my horses are now on it, and will be for at least the next year. I am very curious as to if I’ll be able to see a definite line on the new hoof wall because of the supplementation. I’ll keep you all posted on my personal experience with this supplement.


¹ http://www.bigdweb.com/labelpdfs/7789S.pdf
² http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/integrity-hoofs-hat-trick/
³ http://www.ker.com/library/health/2010/08/biotin-basics.html

⁴ http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/integrity-hoofs-hat-trick/2/