"No Hoof, No Horse" – this old wisdom is particularly true for older horses. Often, poor hoof quality in old age is dismissed as a grooming error or mineral deficiency. But from a longevity perspective, the hoof is an early warning system for cardiovascular problems and hormonal derailments.

The hoof is an organ with extreme metabolic activity. It requires enormous amounts of nutrients and blood to produce high-quality horn. If the "pump" weakens in old age, it shows in the hooves first.

Problem 1: Declining Microcirculation

With age, the elasticity of the smallest blood vessels (capillaries) decreases. This is a universal aging process in all mammals. In the horse, however, the hoof corium is the furthest point from the heart.

If the blood pressure drops or the vessels stiffen (Endothelial Dysfunction), not enough oxygen and nutrients arrive at the lamellae. The result: The horn grows slower, becomes brittle, and the white line widens. This is not a biotin deficiency, but a circulation problem.

Problem 2: The "Cushing's Hoof"

Even before a diagnosis of PPID (Cushing's) is made, the hooves often change. Chronically elevated cortisol levels inhibit the proteins that connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone. Often, so-called "stress rings" or "metabolic grooves" form on the hoof wall, even if the feed has not been changed.

What Science Says: Nitric Oxide (NO)

To improve blood flow to the hooves in old age, the body needs Nitric Oxide (NO). This molecule dilates the vessels. The body's own production of NO decreases from the age of 15.

Longevity Strategy for Hooves

Instead of just applying hoof grease from the outside, we must promote circulation from the inside:

  • Movement: The hoof mechanism is the "secondary pump" of the cardiovascular system. An old horse needs more movement than a young one to maintain circulation, not less.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: They keep the vessel walls elastic and improve the flow properties of the blood.
  • Mitochondrial Support: If the cells of the hoof corium have more energy (via NMN or CoQ10), they can produce harder keratin even with reduced blood flow.

Conclusion

Look at your horse's hooves not just as feet, but as a status report on its circulatory system. Brittle, slowly growing hooves in old age are a cry for help from the metabolism. With the right support of microcirculation, even a 25-year-old horse can run on "hard tires".