Impact of Nutrients on the Hoof Health in Cattle

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Nutrition is a significant factor in healthy hoof horn growth. Some minerals, amino acids, and vitamins are involved in the keratinization process, which ensures healthy horn growth and the structural binding of keratin proteins. Laminitis is one of the most important diseases of cattle hooves. Hemorrhage and foot ulcers are considered symptoms of subclinical laminitis. Excess protein in the feed ration can be problematic due to encouraging faster horn growth. The amino acids cysteine and methionine are essential in promoting the structural and functional integrity of the hoof. Currently, various studies focus on the limb health of cattle to obtain information for the prevention or acceleration of the healing of various hoof lesions based on nutritional supplements. Mineral and vitamin (especially biotin) supplementation is associated with a reduction in the incidence of lameness in dairy cows. ABSTRACT: Lameness is currently one of the most important and economically demanding diseases in cattle. It is manifested in a change in locomotion that is associated with lesions, especially the pelvic limbs. The disease of the hoof is painful, affecting the welfare of dairy cows. Important factors that influence the health of the limbs include nutrition, animal hygiene, stable technology, and genetic and breeding predispositions. Nutrition is one of the basic preventive factors affecting the quality and growth of the hoof horn, and the associated prevalence of hoof disease. The strength and structure of the hoof horn are affected by the composition of the feed ration (amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and toxic substances contaminating the feed ration, or arising in the feed ration as metabolites of fungi).