Biotin Supplement in HorsesHistory of BiotinHorses throughout history have been negatively affected by poor hoof quality. The goal of horsemen around the world has been to solve the mystery of trying to alter this hoof quality in the horse's diet. The horse's hoof plays an essential role in overall performance and usability. A horse that cannot show or be used because its hooves are too tender to walk on gravel, cannot hold the shoes needed for a show, or cannot support overall weight and function as needed, is of no value to a horse owner . When equine nutritionists began their research on how to solve this problem, they soon discovered the overall importance of this vitamin called biotin (Comben et al., 1984). In previous years, nutritionists had found positive results with biotin supplementation in pigs (Comben et al., 1984). Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency There are many symptoms of biotin deficiency that have been documented throughout history. Among the defects/problems seen with this deficiency is usually a combination of symptoms that can be modified by additional biotin consumption. Some of these symptoms include (but are not limited to) tenderness, poor growth, large flat feet, collapsed heels, frequent shoe loss, cracks in nail holes, lameness, crumbling, and navicular disease (Kempson, 1990). Several aspects believed to have played an additional role in these symptoms can be attributed to management, environment, and genetics rather than to a deficiency (Reilly, 1995). Early research, treatments and results Early research on biotin first began in the pig production area. (Comben et al., 1984). Positive results have been documented in numerous research studies involving u...... half of article ......27:494-498.Comben, N., Clark, R.J., and DJB Sutherland. 1984. Clinical observations on the response of equine hoof defects to dietary supplementation with biotin. Veterinarian. Documentation. 115:642-645.Hintz, H.F. 1987. Biotin. Equine practice. 9(9):4-5.Reilly, J.D., Cottrell, D.F., Martin, R.J., and D.J. Cuddeford. 1998. Effect of supplemental dietary biotin on hoof growth and hoof growth rate in ponies: a controlled study. Equine veterinarian. J. 26:51-57.Cuddeford, D. 1991. Response of equine hoof defects to Farrier's formula. Veterinarian. Documentation. 128 (5):115-116.Kempson, S.A. 1987. Scanning electron microscopic observations of hooves of horses with brittle feet. Veterinarian. Documentation. 120:568-570.Putnam, M.E. 1986. The role of vitamins in the nutrition of performance horses. Modern veterinarian. Practice. 67 (2):121-124. Reilly, J. D. 1995. No hoof no horse. Equine veterinarian. J. 27 (3):166-168.