Dissertationen 1996-2013
The hoof horn quality of Lipizzaner horses and the influences of feed supplements and environmental factors. Long-term investigations to the hoof conditions
Kristin Munzinger, 2005
Vetsuisse-Fakultät Universität Zürich, Veterinäranatomisches Institut
Contact: balushev@vetanat.unizh.ch
The hoof quality of 116 stallions from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna was analyzed over several years. The investigation involved a macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the hoof quality as well as measurements of the tensile strength of the coronary horn. In addition the influence of urine and faeces on the tensile strength of altered hoof horn was studied.
Many young stallions showed a deterioration of hoof quality especially at the age of 4 to 5 years. The analysis of the horn condition in related horses showed that the effects of genetics should not be underestimated.
Long-term supplementation with biotin allowed the stallions to maintain their improved hoof horn quality for several years. After biotin supplementation was terminated the hoof horn condition deteriorated according to the renewal time of the hoof. Horses that were supplemented with zinc and methionine in addition to biotin showed an improved hoof quality according to stallions that were treated with biotin only.
The incubation in urine and faeces of bearing border samples, which showed histological damage, affected the hoof horn heavily: in both test series the decrease of the tensile strength was more then 50%.
The results of this thesis indicate that a supplementation with biotin has to be continued even if the hoof horn quality improved. It is also shown that zinc and methionine intensify the effect of biotin. Furthermore it is demonstrated that urine and faeces affect damaged hoof horn heavily.
Deutsche Version