Laminitis and colic are often the result of undigested starch entering the caecum of the horse where it is broken down and fermented by microbes. It is this fermentation process along with alterations in the gut flora that produces the toxins that enter the bloodstream and damage the sensitive blood vessels within the hoof.
Horses with Acute Laminitis
Although horses with acute (active) laminitis should not be fed whole oats, there is increasing awareness that horses that have had a history of laminitis in the past can be safely fed whole oats. This is due to the fact that the starch in oats is highly digestible. The starch in oats is quickly broken down into sugars in the small intestines and absorbed long before reaching the caecum.
Dietary Changes
When changing the horse’s diet, it is important to avoid sudden adjustments. Feeding smaller portions more frequently is safer and easier to digest than infrequent, larger meals. The average 1000 lb. horse should not receive more than 5 lbs. of a grain per feeding.
Horses with a history of laminitis and recovery can usually be given oats without concern.
1st: Give a supplement that will balance the hay or pasture diet.
2nd: Feed the whole oats as a calorie source to maintain proper weight and body condition.
Confusion abounds in the reporting and interpretation of Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC) and Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) in equine diets. Several years ago, many forage and feed testing labs removed NSF reporting and added NFC, leading to confusion about the distinction between the two.
Non-Fiber Carbohydrates VS Non-Structural Carbohydrates
NSC, Non-Structural Carbohydrates, if reported by the forage testing labs, is either chemically measured in the lab or, more commonly, calculated mathematically. The calculation is typically WSC (water-soluble carbohydrates) plus Starch. Some testing labs use direct chemical analysis. Therefore, comparing NSC values reported by different testing labs may not lead to an accurate assessment. Many labs no longer include NSC reporting in their analysis reports. If the horse owner or equine nutritionist is interested in NSC and it is not reported in the analysis, the figure can be calculated by adding the percentages of reported WSC (water-soluble carbohydrates) and Starch.
NSC of Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength
For Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength, a lab has reported WSC at 5.8% and Starch at 4.2%; therefore, the sum of the two, or NSC, would be 10.0%. These numbers can vary slightly due to laboratory testing methodology.
The Advantage of Non-Fiber Carbohydrates Analysis
NFC, Non-Fiber Carbohydrates, is a better means of carbohydrate analysis than NSC. The two values are not the same. NFC is an estimate of carbohydrates that are readily digested and absorbed and includes pectin, a carbohydrate not counted in NSC values. NFC is calculated by subtracting the percentages of Crude Protein (CP%), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF%), Crude Fat (Fat Ether Extract %), and Ash (Ash%) from 100. Laboratory NFC measurements in supplements and feedstuffs will likely replace NSC. The NFC measure is usually higher than the NSC.
NFC of Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength
There are no added sugars or molasses in Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength. The amount of NFC consumed per serving is insignificant when compared to the level consumed in the daily ration of hay – even if the hay is soaked. Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength is 12.2% NFC. Therefore, contains 10.4 grams of NFC per 1/2 cup (85 grams) at the recommended feeding level. As a comparison, a horse consuming 20 lbs. of grass hay with 15% NFC consumes 1,364 grams of NFC daily! Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength contributes an insignificant amount of carbohydrates when compared to the forage diet and/or most other feedstuffs and supplements.
Laminitis and founder is a complicated systemic disease that severely affects a horse’s feet. For the best chance of success in the management and treatment of the disease, veterinarians and farriers must work together. The horse owner assumes the economic responsibility to attempt to restore a horse to health and, therefore, has the choice to engage cooperative caregivers.
Look for Recommendations
When interviewing farriers and vets, ask each of them if they have someone they routinely work with on laminitis/founder cases. If they cannot name someone they can recommend, keep searching. You are looking for a team that can work together with you to solve a complex and potentially deadly problem.
Aspects of the Problem
Farriers may understand the mechanical aspects of the problem, but not the medical aspects. Veterinarians may understand the medical aspects, but not the mechanical. A combination of the two treatments is necessary to solve a horse’s problem when it is foundered. The cause must be determined and the swelling, pain and systemic conditions must be treated by the veterinarian. The farrier must provide the bone column support while the horse grows a new hoof.
Salt, or sodium chloride, is a necessary component of a horse’s diet and metabolism. However, excessive salt intake will increase thirst and urination. Hoof quality can deteriorate due to increased urine and moisture in the environment. Horses that are confined for periods of time are primarily affected.
Excess Moisture
The excess moisture softens the hoof wall and sole, leading to weakening, wall separations, and cracks. The sole swells, the white line widens, and the softer hoof wall bends outward. This has the adverse effect of shifting and increasing weight bearing on the sole rather than the hoof wall. Hoof-eating microbes also have an increased opportunity for invasion. These softened structures are more likely to be ground and abraded away from exercise or stall boredom.
Excess Urine = Amonia
To add further insult, urine soaked bedding has been associated with higher ammonia levels. Ammonia is not only damaging to the horse’s respiratory system but is very destructive to the hooves. Urine contains a breakdown product of protein metabolism called urea. Urea is converted to ammonia by microbial activity in the bedding. Although salt intake would not affect the total daily urea output from a horse, the additional moisture from increased urine output facilitates the bacterial production of the enzyme that breaks down urea into ammonia (urease).
Your Horse’s Salt Requirement
The horse’s salt requirement varies between horses depending on several factors including activity level and amount of sweating. The maintenance requirement of an 1100 lb. horse at rest is approximately 25 grams per day. On the other hand, the horse in heavy work may require up to 200 grams of salt. Fortunately, by offering salt free choice, the vast majority of horses voluntarily consume only the amount of salt that they require.
Salt Blocks
Unlike the rough tongue of a cow, the smooth tongue of the horse is inefficient at removing salt from blocks designed to withstand the weather. They will often bite off large chunks of a salt block resulting in excess intake. Free choice loose white salt, or often called livestock feeding salt, is the best option.
Salt in Compound Feeds
Compounded feeds usually contain added salt at 0.5% to 1.0 %. Salt in the ration increases the palatability of the feed. Hard keepers that need large feeding levels of a compounded feed in order to maintain his/her weight can consume significant levels of salt in the feed. For example over the course of a day the hard keeper horse fed 12 pounds of compounded feed with 1% added salt would be consuming 55 grams of salt. The horse that is not working or sweating is being force fed more than twice the requirement. A better option for hard keepers would be feeding a low salt feed such as a forage balancer and a non-fortified calorie source such as whole oats. Add free-choice loose white salt and fresh water for a balanced diet.
I have worked with horses suffering from mild to serious hoof problems for the past 50 years. During that time, I have determined that horses with hoof problems often are deficient in many nutrients that negatively affect changes in the dermal tissue structure. The hoof is dermal tissue, and the hoof shows weakness more quickly than other dermal tissue structures due to its function and location. The horse owner should be able to recognize a few of the nutritional concerns that can occur in the hoof:
Hoof Problems from Feeding Bran
Feeding excessive amounts of bran can produce poor hoof quality by inhibiting calcium absorption. Bran contains phytate, which is high in phosphorus. The excess amount of phosphorus blocks calcium absorption in the small intestine, creating a calcium deficiency. Often, the result is a crumbling hoof. A zinc deficiency can sometimes lead to rapid hoof growth. The deficiency can result in poor-quality keratin in the outer layers of the hoof wall and make the wall brittle. Some horses with a zinc deficiency need their hooves trimmed every 10-14 days.
Biotin Deficiencies
A biotin deficiency is rare however; when it does occur one will likely see thick layers of hardened tissue ‘peeling off’ the hoof much like the peeled layers of an onion. Other dietary deficiencies usually accompany a biotin deficiency. Hair-like projections emerging from the hoof wall or the sole of a horses hoof can indicate either a Vitamin A excess or a Vitamin A deficiency. In addition to the above there are many more ‘nutritional red flags’ too numerous to list here. Seek sound nutrition information and become a ‘better horse owner’ by becoming a ‘better informed horse owner’.
J. Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS Founder of Life Data Labs, Inc. Developer of Farrier’s Formula®
The Differences Between Original Farrier’s Formula® and Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength.
Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength provides the horse with nutrients important for healthy hooves and hair coat at one-half the feeding level of original Farrier’s Formula®. Due to reducing alfalfa and utilizing concentrated natural flavors and ingredients, the daily feeding level for a 450 kg horse is only 85 grams per day, as compared to 170 grams of the original Farrier’s Formula®. Both are equally effective, although Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength is more beneficial to the horse owner due to the reduced daily feeding expenses.
Reducing Feed Intake when Feeding Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength.
According to field reports, feeding Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength allows the horse to utilize its feed intake more efficiently. Horses supplemented with Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength should be monitored for weight gain and, if necessary, the feeding amounts of grain should be adjusted appropriately. Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength does not contain any added sugars or molasses, and the starch and carbohydrate content are very low.
Total Hoof Care
Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength provides the nutrients for healthy hoof growth from the inside. Farrier’s Finish® destroys “hoof eating” microbes while maintaining correct hoof capsule moisture balance. Life Data® Hoof Clay®fills in old nail holes and hoof defects to protect the hoof from external invasions. Regular applications of Farrier’s Finish® and Life Data® Hoof Clay® will protect the investment you’re making with Farrier’s Formula®. Combining all three promotes internal hoof health while protecting the hoof externally.
Bran and Horses with Poor Hoof Quality
Bran and other hull material of grain contain phytates. Phytates are high in phosphorus and can block the absorption of calcium and other minerals in the small intestine. Diets high in bran and other grain by-products can create low calcium levels detrimental to hoof condition. Published scientific research (Kempson BSc, PhD 1987) demonstrated the ultrastructural changes to the hoof wall caused by calcium deficiency related to the feeding of bran to the adult horse.
Supplementing Selenium
A horse’s daily requirement for selenium is only a few milligrams less than the level of selenium that creates chronic selenium toxicity. A lack of copper in the diet increases the risk of selenium toxicity. There is no evidence or research that a selenium deficiency affects hoof structure. However, selenium excess and chronic selenium toxicities are well documented in the development of lameness, hoof defects, and poor hoof wall structure.
Excess Sulfur and Hoof Quality
Sulfur is an important nutrient for connective tissue strength and joint health. Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength contains the ingredient methionine (a sulphur containing amino acid) which supplies the correct amount of sulfur for joint and hoof health. Joint supplements often contain MSM, an ingredient that contains sulfur, and can lead to over supplementation of sulfur when combined with other products. Utilize joint supplements that do not contain MSM when feeding other sulfur containing products such as Farrier’s Formula®Double Strength.
When supplementing with Farrier’s Formula®, no one witnesses the improvements to the hoof quite like the farrier. They witness the new growth as they trim the hoof, and they feel the difference in the hoof wall under their rasp. With each trimming cycle, they can see a healthier hoof taking shape. In this blog, farrier Alex Mercer discusses the improvements he witnessed with four different clients.
Barbara and Katie
Katie is a much-loved 20-year-old coloured cob owned by Barbara F. Eight to ten years ago, she suffered a bout of laminitis, and although she came through it with her usual toughness, the after-effects lingered in her feet for years. For the past six to eight years, she struggled with weak hoof walls and very little growth through the toe.
Summer was always the most difficult time. As the ground hardened and the weather dried out, Katie’s feet would become brittle and fragile, particularly in the nailing area. Keeping shoes on her could be a challenge, and losing them during the warmer months became a familiar frustration. Her feet simply lacked the strength and consistency needed to hold up to the season.
Over the last 18 months, since starting Farrier’s Formula Double Strength, a noticeable change has taken place. Her hoof quality has improved steadily, with a more consistent growth pattern throughout the year. The toe has shown stronger, more reliable growth, and the horn itself feels more stable and resilient. Most importantly, Katie now copes far better during the summer months, with fewer issues around shoe retention and overall hoof strength.
At 20 years old, Katie continues to thrive, her feet now supporting her more reliably than they have in years — a testament to careful management, patience and the right nutritional support.
Cynthia and Flick
Flick is a 16.2hh Thoroughbred mare, now 26 years old, owned by Cynthia N. Still bright and keen, she is at her happiest hacking the country lanes around Newark, Nottinghamshire — but her feet have required careful management over the years.
As she grew older, Flick’s hoof quality steadily declined. She struggled with weak horn and poor growth, particularly through the toe, and the problem became more pronounced with age. Summer was always the most challenging season. The dry ground left her front feet brittle, with very little strength in the nailing area, and keeping shoes on during this period was often difficult.
Flick also has asymmetrical front feet, which created additional challenges. Her lesser angled hoof tended to suffer in the quarter area, while the greater angled hoof lacked strength through the toe. This imbalance meant different stresses in each foot, making consistent support and shoe retention even more important.
Over the past 18 months, since being introduced to Farrier’s Formula Double Strength, a clear improvement has been seen. Her hoof horn has become stronger and more reliable, and a consistent growth pattern has established itself throughout the year. Most notably, she now copes far better during the summer months, with improved nail hold and fewer lost shoes.
At 26, Flick continues to enjoy her hacking, supported by stronger, more stable feet — proof that even in later years, the right nutritional support can make a meaningful difference to hoof health and overall comfort.
Emma and Olly
Olly is an 11-year-old 14.2hh Thoroughbred x Connemara gelding with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Now owned by Emma C. and ridden regularly by Emma’s daughter, Liberty, he can often be found hacking the country lanes around Newark, Nottinghamshire. This season, he has also been a regular out with the Cranwell Bloodhounds, thoroughly enjoying his work.
Before finding more consistent management, Olly struggled significantly with his hoof quality. He suffered from weak feet and very limited growth, and up until three years ago his front shoes had to be glued on every four weeks due to the lack of integrity in the hoof wall. Nail retention simply wasn’t possible. Since being bought by Emma, he has also experienced ongoing delamination within the hoof wall, further weakening the structure.
Seasonal changes made matters worse. In the summer, the nailing area in his front feet lacked strength and resilience, while winter brought its own challenges, with wet conditions causing his feet to crumble and break away. Maintaining balance and security in his shoes was a continual battle.
Now a happy, active gelding thriving alongside his stable mate Flick, Olly’s stronger, healthier feet allow him to fully enjoy his hacking and hunting days — a clear example of how correct nutritional support with Farrier’s Formula can transform long-term hoof challenges.
Nicola, Hannah and Joey
Joey is a 20-year-old Irish Draught owned by mother and daughter Nicola and Hannah G. A much-loved family horse who still enjoys hacking out four to five times a week, Joey has always had a willing attitude — but for several years, his feet proved challenging.
Around five years ago, Joey began to struggle with weak hoof wall and poor toe growth. Keeping shoes on became an ongoing battle, particularly during the summer months. As the ground hardened and conditions dried out, the nailing area would weaken, his feet becoming brittle and fragile. Shoes were frequently lost, and maintaining consistency on a six-week shoeing cycle was difficult due to the lack of strong wall to nail into.
Two years ago, changes were made to support him more effectively. Alongside a move to a different yard and improvements to his immediate environment, Joey was started on Farrier’s Formula Double Strength. Since then, the transformation in his hoof quality has been clear. His feet have become noticeably more stable, with improved horn strength and a far more consistent growth pattern throughout the year.
Importantly, Joey now copes much better during the summer. The hoof wall holds nails more securely, shoe loss is far less frequent, and maintaining his regular six-week shoeing cycle is no longer a concern. With stronger, more resilient feet beneath him, Joey continues to enjoy his regular hacks — proving that even at 20, the right management and nutritional support can make a lasting difference.
Are you concerned that your horse has thin soles? If so, you should investigate further. The sole plays a vital role in the structure of the hoof and your horse’s mobility. A thin sole can compromise overall hoof health and lead to the development of severe hoof related issues. Here are a few tips that can help!
Signs of Thin Soles
Lameness
Soles feel “soft” to the touch
Hooves are prone to hoof cracks
Hoof sensitivity to temperature, touch, or pressure
We asked professional farrier, Darren Owen, for his advice on checking for thin soles. Here are his recommendations:
Look for and identify the commissures next to the frog. Check the depth.
Look for and identify the true apex of the frog. This will be toward the front of the frog. Check the depth of the apex in relation to the sole itself.
Check for sole tissue exfoliation. If you don’t have any exfoliation, beware. Your horse’s sole may not be very thick.
Manually palpate or squeeze the sole to detect softness and possibly solicit a painful reaction from your horse.
Your farrier or veterinarian may have other ways to help determine sole thickness. However, the most accurate way to measure sole depth is with a radiograph taken by your attending veterinarian.
Benefits of Thick Healthy Soles
Hoof and Joint Protection
A thicker and healthier sole reduces stress, wear and tear on the hooves and joints by absorbing the shock and impact. This is especially important for horses walking on hard and/or rocky surfaces.
A healthy sole also protects the coffin bone.
Reduced Risk of Hoof Problems
The sole is the first line of defense for the hoof when in contact with the environment. A thick and healthy sole is less likely to develop problems such as bruising, white line disease, hoof abscesses, and other hoof related problems and injuries.
Improved Performance and Comfort
A strong, healthy sole provides horses more comfort while performing, working, or participating in physical activities.
Tips to Improve Sole Depth, Health, and Quality
Daily Hoof Management
Developing a daily hoof care routine to pick out dirt, debris, and other unwanted material encourages overall hoof health and reduces the risk of hoof related issues.
Address Environmental Factors
Maintaining clean stalls, managing moisture balance in the hoof, and using non-caustic hoof topicals to defend against hoof-eating microbials will help protect new sole growth and quality.
Your farrier will ensure your horse’s hooves are properly trimmed and balanced. They will also check for extremities and address any factors that could harm hoof quality.
Provide Proper Nutrition
Nurturing a healthy sole through balanced nutrition is often the most overlooked factor in hoof health. The hoof requires phospholipids, omega fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, which are usually lacking in the modern horse’s diet. Utilizing a quality Forage Balancer that fortifies the natural forage-based diet will improve hoof quality and your horse’s overall health and body condition.
Some horses require additional help. Feeding a quality hoof supplement to these horses will be beneficial. A hoof supplement will help create a denser, healthier, stronger sole, more resilient to future problems.
Promoting sole health is a sound investment in your horse’s longevity. Healthy hooves translate to happier and healthier horses. Consult with your farrier and veterinarian if your horse develops any hoof-related issues. If you have questions regarding your horse’s diet or supplementation, contact Life Data® at 1-800-624-1873 or cservice@lifedatalabs.com.
Farrier Consultant for Blog Article
An American Farrier Association Certified Farrier with over twenty years’ experience, Indian Fields’ founder and owner, Darren Owen, has spent his career understanding how to build a strong, healthy, and athletic horse from the toe up.
We asked Shane Westman, GradDip ELR, of Westman Farriery, what horse owners should consider when searching for the ideal farrier to join their horse care team. Below are his recommendations.
Farrier Education
There are no requirements in the US to practice hoof care, trim, or apply shoes. ZERO! Many different farrier organizations have many levels of certification, accreditation, or testing available. Still, no licensing, certification, or industry regulatory requirements exist to practice and charge for service in the United States. Anyone can charge to cut a hoof, with or without any knowledge or training.
It is up to the horse owner to determine who is qualified enough to fit their needs. Cutting a hoof is easy; anyone can do it. You hire a professional to know where and how much to cut appropriately. Deep knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, and how a hoof can be manipulated through trimming and/or orthotic devices can mean the difference between top performance and lameness. Educational bullet points to consider are:
Farrier Schooling
Basic Trade School Education
Past and Future Continued Education
Personal Professional Development Over Time
Farrier schooling programs, if attended, vary widely in their curriculum from 2 weeks to 2 years. No two programs are equal in their offering. A great farrier consistently evolves and will continually expand their knowledge and practical skills through:
Practice
Attending Farrier Clinics
Educational Seminars
Competitions
Reading
Staying Current with New Research and Developments
Mentorship
Darren Owen, CF, APF-I, GradDip ELR, Gives Nutrition Lecture to Young Farriers in Training
Having a farrier well-educated in how nutrition affects the hoof is also very important. An imbalanced diet will directly influence hoof quality, body condition, and overall health. A farrier who can recognize these nutrition-related issues can save you time, effort, and money; not to mention, save your horse from potential health issues. Choose a farrier who can help advise you on your horse’s feeding program and potential supplements.
Ask a potential farrier about their background, specialty, and education because his/her credentials showcase experiences, further education, and achievements.
Also, inquire about other professionals and mentors they have worked with.
Experience as a Farrier
Knowledge is knowing what to do; wisdom is knowing when to do it. Knowledge comes through education, but wisdom comes from experience. Becoming an experienced farrier by trimming a few horses on weekends isn’t easy. Experience is gained by consistently handling hooves.
Specialization is becoming increasingly common in the farrier industry, especially at the top levels. If you have specific needs, whether for competition or lameness, ask a prospective hoof care provider if they have intimate knowledge or training in that particular field. A professional should be knowledgeable, but humble, and know their limitations or gaps in their knowledge. A farrier with mentors to call upon, when help is needed, can also be important.
Professionalism
Professionalism is often defined as a strict adherence to courtesy, honesty, and responsibility when dealing with individuals or others in the business environment. It goes beyond being good at your work. This trait often includes a high level of excellence by going above and beyond basic requirements. A true professional does not speak ill of competition to attempt to make themselves look better. They treat their clients and horses as though they are of the utmost importance. They present themselves and their businesses professionally and ethically. This applies to their appearance, attitude, horse handling, and business practices.
Horsemanship
The farrier must be competent and courteous with all horses. They must be comfortable, kind, and confident while working closely with these animals. Horses are experts in reading and reacting to body language. Observe how a farrier interacts with the horse; if they ask gently to pick up and handle a hoof, and how they respond to an uncomfortable situation. The relationship can go from good to bad very quickly without these skills.
You want a farrier genuinely interested in the horse’s well-being for everyone’s health and safety. A professional will know when to walk away from a dangerous or uncooperative horse. To do the best work, the horse must stand well for the farrier in a safe, open, well-lit work area. It is reasonable for the farrier to demand this. It is up to the owner to have a trained animal or have a veterinarian with proper sedation available if needed.
Referrals from Horse Care Professionals
Hoof care is very important for horses. You do not want to decide lightly who cares for your horse’s hooves. Approach your trusted veterinarian, trainer, or another trusted farrier and ask who they suggest for your riding discipline and needs. Association or farrier finder websites can also be helpful. Many association pages have a ‘search for farriers’ section with info on each member’s specialties, continuing education earned, and certifications. However, the association pages only list their current members. Many of the best farriers may not be members of an association or do not advertise, as they are plenty busy. A referral from a trusted source to the farrier can go a long way to “squeezing in” on a full schedule. To remain on their schedule, have your horse ready on time, clean, and organize an appropriate work area for the farrier.
Cost
Do not get stuck on cost comparison alone. Anyone can trim or shoe and charge for it. No two are equal in skill, experience, and specialty. Interview prospective farriers, ask questions, and make an informed decision. A true specialized professional will often command a premium price, but a high price alone does not mean the practitioner is top in their field.
“If you only consider the cost, make sure to consider the cost to the horse.”
Shane Westman, GradDip ELR, has been a professional farrier since 1992. He worked as the Large Animal Head Farrier for UC Davis from 2016-2024. Shane is currently the Chief of Farrier Services for Westman Farriery.
Decades of research, data on over 300 horses – often over 200 laboratory tests on each horse, and an Independent University Study – these were just a few of the steps Dr. Frank Gravlee invested in the development of Farrier’s Formula®.
Farrier’s Formula® ushered in the concept of “Feeding for Hoof Health,” literally. When Dr. Frank Gravlee began his research in 1973, there was very little understanding of how nutrition affected the hoof, and prior research had not been performed on the subject. His research was not based on the work of others; it did not incorporate popular equine feeding trends and was not influenced by data from other species. Dr. Gravlee’s research to develop Farrier’s Formula® was innovative, groundbreaking, and continues to be used for the betterment of hoof health today.
“We’ve determined that horses with hoof problems often suffer from as many as 12 nutritional concerns that affect tissue structure.”
– Dr. Frank Gravlee, American Farrier’s Journal, Volume 33, Number 5.
Putting the Formula to the Test
Confident in his research and the results Farrier’s Formula® produced in horses, Dr. Gravlee took a step that many equine nutritional companies have never taken. He sought out a third party to conduct independent research on Farrier’s Formula®. Dr. Gravlee wanted to achieve two objectives with this independent research:
To prove the effectiveness of Farrier’s Formula® through an unbiased and reputable source.
To determine how feeding Farrier’s Formula® affects the molecular level of the hoof structure
These objectives led him to Dr. S.A. Kempson at the Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, who specialized in electron scan microscopic analysis of the hoof structure. In the late 1980s, Dr. Kempson began her study by adding Farrier’s Formula® to the diet of 18 horses with two types of hoof horn defects:
Horses with sand cracks and crumbling horn around the nail holes
Horses with flat hooves and poor hoof growth, collapsed heels, and frequent bruising
The two groups of horses were fed Farrier’s Formula® for a period of 1 to 2 years under the supervision of Dr. Kempson. Hoof clippings from both groups were taken and studied in the transmission and scanning electron microscopes. On November 17, 1990, Dr. Kempson’s findings were published in The Veterinary Record (127, 494-498).
Results of the Independent University Research on Farrier’s Formula®
Photos provided by Dr. S.A. Kempson
In summary, Dr. Kempson’s study discovered:
Farrier’s Formula® produced visible results in the hair coat and hoof growth for all 18 horses within only a few weeks.
All 18 horses showed improved growth and higher connective tissue density of the hoof wall. (As shown through the Scanning Electron Microscope images.)
Horses fed a “Biotin Only” supplement without success, had substantial hoof quality improvement after Farrier’s Formula® supplementation
At the end of the study, Dr. Kempson determined that feeding Farrier’s Formula® produced considerable improvement in the macro and micro structure of the new hoof horn. The study also showed that microscopically visible improvement of hoof growth and quality was visible for 2/3 of the horn capsule after an average of 5 months of feeding Farrier’s Formula®. Lastly, no relapse occurred in hoof quality during the study once good quality hoof horn had been established.
“Indeed, one horse was so sensitive he had not been able to wear shoes for 12 months, and was only sound on soft ground. The results were remarkable. All of the horses showed improvement with increased horn growth. Within 6-12 weeks, all of the horses retained their shoes for a longer period of time.” – Dr. S.A. Kempson
Dr. Frank Gravlee’s innovative research did not stop with Farrier’s Formula®. Every Life Data® product was formulated with the same care, attention to detail, and scientific research that was poured into the formulation of Farrier’s Formula®. The Life Data® database of equine blood test results has continued to expand over the years, enabling us to delve deeper into the impact of nutrition on horses. To learn more about our products or Farrier’s Formula®, visit our website or call at 1-800-624-1873.
