Winter Hoof Growth: What Horse Owners Need to Know
Animal Care Team
When temperatures drop, your horse’s hoof growth slows down. If you've heard your farrier commenting on slower growth or hoof issues that seem to stick around longer in winter, there's a reason for that.
Why Hooves Grow Slower in Cold Weather
Hoof growth naturally slows during cold months. Reduced circulation and metabolic changes mean nutrients reach the hoof more slowly. While hooves typically grow about 1/4 to 3/8 inch per month in warmer weather, that rate drops significantly in winter. Less movement in turnout doesn't help either. When horses stand around more, there's less blood flow to support healthy growth.
What This Means for Your Farrier
Your farrier might adjust their approach in winter. Some horses can go a bit longer between trims since growth has slowed, but it's not that simple. Slower growth also means problems take forever to grow out. That crack or chip that would resolve in a few weeks during summer— it could stick around longer in winter, which sometimes means your farrier needs to see your horse more often, not less.
How to Support Better Hoof Growth
You're not helpless here. There are things you can do to keep your horse's hooves in better shape even when it's cold.
Nutrition matters. Hooflex® Concentrated Hoof Builder supplement has biotin, lysine, methionine, zinc, and iodine—the nutrients hooves need to grow strong. This effective supplement showed a significant increase in hoof growth after a six-month period of use.
● Average hoof growth: 2.43 inches (vs. typical 1.9 inches without supplement)
● 33% of horses in the test saw 3 inches or more of hoof growth
● 84% of horses in test saw 2 inches or more of hoof growth
There's field research backing this up, and you can read about it here.
Daily topical care helps too. Applying Hooflex® Topical Hoof Care products to the coronary band supports the area where new hoof growth starts. It keeps things supple and conditioned right where it counts. It includes the added benefits of antibacterial and antifungal protective agents.
Get them moving. Any amount of turnout helps, especially in winter. Movement = circulation, and circulation supports hoof health.
Winter's tough on hooves, but it doesn't have to mean setbacks. Working with your farrier and considering a supplement and hoof conditioner can help. A little extra attention goes a long way.