Question

I purchase straight biotin from the same place I get flax in bulk. How much biotin should I feed? I currently feed a quarter cup per feeding.

Answer

There is no requirement for biotin established for the horse because the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract is thought to produce adequate amounts. With that said, using a therapeutic amount of biotin has a positive effect on hoof integrity in some horses. The research studies that have shown positive results on hoof quality with biotin supplementation used 15-20 mg biotin per day. Most hoof supplements on the market offer 6-30 mg per day. Because you are not buying the biotin in a commercial supplement, I would recommend making sure the biotin you have is d-biotin, which is the only active isomer.  Also, biotin has a fairly short shelf life and should be used within six months of purchase. I do not know the concentration of the product you have, but if it is on the label, try to figure out how much would provide 15 or 20 mg per day.