If your horse suffers from cracked, brittle hooves, you might already be considering adding biotin to their diet. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates the production of keratin, a protein that makes up hooves as well as hair and skin. Though biotin deficiency is rare in horses, extra supplementation has many benefits beyond building stronger hooves.

1. Grows stronger hooves
The most common reason horse owners use a biotin supplement is to build stronger hooves. Research studies have shown that biotin helps the hoof horn grow faster, and also improves the tensile strength of the hoof, allowing it to resist cracking under pressure. Changes in hoof structure are apparent after about nine months of continuous supplementation.

2. Protects healthy skin and coat
Biotin is essential for wound healing. It also helps keep your horse’s skin - their first defense against environmental pathogens - strong and healthy. The vitamin also builds stronger hair strands, leading to less breakage and a thicker, healthier coat, mane, and tail.

3. Boosts energy metabolism
Like other B-vitamins, biotin aids in the metabolism of fats and sugars in your horse’s diet. It’s best to give it with a morning meal for more energy throughout the day.

4. Helps maintain a healthy weight
Biotin has been found to help aid weight loss in humans by improving the conversion of sugars and fats to energy. It has not been confirmed in studies to help horses, but may have similar effects. However, biotin has been shown, in combination with other supplements, to help improve insulin efficiency in horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

5. Builds stronger muscles
Biotin is also essential to building strong muscles. When your horse exercises, they sustain micro-tears in their muscle tissue, which is what leads to delayed soreness the next day. B-vitamins, including biotin, help repair tears and rebuild tissue for bigger, stronger muscles.

6. Supports cognitive function
Biotin helps form myelin, a protective layer of fats and proteins that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin helps send signals between nerve cells. Along with other B-vitamins, biotin aids memory and helps protect against cognitive issues.

7. Improves mood
Biotin plays an important role in hormone production, which in turn can help your horse manage stress and anxiety. Human research studies have shown less susceptibility to depression and anxiety in those who take biotin supplements. Research has not been conducted on the effects of biotin on mood in horses, though some horse owners have reported improvements in anxiety while their horse was taking the supplement.

8. Supports immunity
Biotin has been shown in human studies to support the immune system’s response to invading pathogens. It also helps build white blood cells. Joined by other B-vitamins in a balanced diet, it can help protect your horse from illness and infection.

Does my horse need more biotin?

While biotin deficiencies are uncommon in horses, horse owners have seen some benefits from supplementing, even when a deficiency is not present. Horses produce biotin in the hindgut as they digest forage. Horses on a low fiber diet may not produce enough biotin, and those with digestive issues may not be able to absorb it efficiently.
Biotin supplements have not been found to cause adverse side effects, even with long-term use. Like other water-soluble vitamins, excess amounts are flushed out of the body through the urine.

How to Boost Your Horse’s Biotin Intake

Biotin is naturally found in alfalfa and fresh grass. When supplementing, it’s generally recommended to give 15-20mg of biotin daily to the average horse. It’s available as AniMed Biotin 100 Powder, a dry supplement that you can add to your horse’s food. Or, try Absorbine Hoof Builder for a combination of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids to support hoof health.