Strong and resilient hooves are essential for all horses, especially shod horses in training and regular competition. Good hooves are also important for horses or ponies maintained primarily by barefoot trimming.
Many horses naturally have recurring hoof problems, even on an adequate and well-balanced diet with added supplements. These horses may suffer frequent chips, cracks, splits, crumbling and flaking, or simply grow brittle or insufficient hoof material.
Some breeds of horses have inherently thin soles and weak hoof walls and need a special diet to maintain hoof hardness and flexibility.