In the wild, the horse naturally hydrates its hooves by going to the water point. When it drinks, it remains standing in the water, its feet submerged. This daily exposure provides the horn with the moisture it needs to stay supple, elastic and resilient.
In the domestic horse, this natural cycle completely disappears. Result: the hooves dry out, summer and winter.
Why do hooves dry out?
Dryness is not just a summer problem. It appears when:
the pastures are dried out in summer,
when they are frozen in winter,
when the horse lives on very absorbent bedding (flax, shavings),
when the ground is hard, dry or abrasive.
A dry hoof becomes:
brittle,
cracked,
less elastic,
more susceptible to chips and “summer cracks.”
Oil and grease do not hydrate
This is a persistent misconception neither oil nor grease hydrate the hoof. They are occlusive substances. : they form a barrier that prevents water from entering and exiting. On a hoof that is already dry, they block natural exchanges, accentuate dehydration and prevent the horn from regaining its elasticity.
They can protect an already present hydration, but never provide it.
HydroHoof: reproducing natural hydration without softening the horn
HydroHoof has been formulated to mimic natural hydration that the horse would receive at the water point:
aloe vera provides a deep hydration,
honey retains moisture and promotes regeneration,
the horn absorbs only what it needs.
The role of biotin: what research says
Biotin is often recommended to improve hoof quality. Research shows that:
it supports growth and strength of the horn,
effective doses are between 15 and 25 mg per day,
results appear after 8 to 15 months, the time it takes for the wall to renew,
it only improves the new horn, not the already formed one.
Biotin does not act alone; the quality of the hoof also depends on zinc, methionine, of the iodine, and the health of the gut microbiome.
Comben et al., 1984 Supplementation 10–30 mg/day for 6–9 months → improvement in hardness, integrity and conformation of the hoof.
Buffa et al., 1992 Supplementation 7.5 mg and 15 mg/day for 10 months → faster growth and harder horn, better results at 15 mg/day.
Reilly et al., 1999 Dose 0.12 mg/kg/day for 5 months → +15% horn growth compared to the control group.
In summary
The wild horse hydrates its hooves by drinking with its feet in the water.
Domestic horses have lost this natural cycle; their hooves are exposed to the dryness in summer and winter.
Oils and fats do not hydrate.
Biotin supports the growth of stronger horn, but in the long term.
HydroHoof, essential in your grooming kit.
Properly hydrate and nourish from the inside: the key to a healthy hoof.