Life Data® Blog

June 18, 2025June 27, 2025

Proving the Effectiveness of Farrier’s Formula® Through Independent Scientific Research

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®

Electron Microscope Images of Hoof Clippings — *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

You can read the full report published in The Veterinary Record, “Ultrastructural Observation on the Response of Equine Hoof Defects to Dietary Supplementation with Farrier’s Formula.”

Read Published Study

Life Data® Research and Product Development

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.

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025

Forage Balancers: Fortifying the Equine Forage-Based Diet

What is a Forage Balancer?

A forage balancer is a supplement that fortifies a horse’s forage-based diet with essential nutrients. It helps provide a balanced nutritional profile for your horse by supplying vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids that are often lacking in most equine diets. A true Forage Balancer does not contain added calories, sugars, or carbohydrates. It acts as the feeding program for the horse, eliminating the need to feed compound feeds. This gives horse owners more control of calorie intake without risk of over- or under-supplementation. With a Forage Balancer, horse owners can feed horses individually and adjust calorie intake to meet the energy requirements of each horse.

What Type of Horses Can Be Fed a Forage Balancer?

Any Horse Can Utilize a Forage Balancer — A Forage Balancer Can Be Utilized For Any Horse

A Forage Balancer can be utilized for any horse, regardless of age, breed, or activity level. Easy Keepers, Hard Keepers, backyard leisure horses, and Performance Horses would all receive the nutritional benefits of a quality Forage Balancer. Forage Balancers are especially recommended for easy and hard keepers to help maintain body condition.

Mares and Growing Horses require additional nutritional support compared to the average horse. Feeding a Forage Balancer formulated specifically to support Broodmares and Foals is recommended to help support fetal growth, lactation, and weight management. The unborn foal also receives nutritional benefits when fed to the Broodmare.

Horses with Metabolic Issues, such as Insulin Resistance, Cushing’s Disease, and/or Laminitis, do not need a Forage Balancer. Specialized formulas are available for these horses. These formulas replace a forage balancer to provide nutritional support for these Metabolic issues.

Complete Feeds VS Forage Balancer

No forage provides every nutrient your horse needs. For example, wild horses must roam long distances to meet nutritional requirements through grazing. The domesticated horse is limited and only receives nutrients from the pastures and forages that horse owners provide. This is where a Forage Balancer comes into play, fulfilling the nutritional gaps in the natural equine diet.

Equine Complete Feeds — Complete Feeds May Contain Excess Fats and Sugar

Many horse owners utilize Complete Feeds or products that combine a complete feed with a Forage Balancer in their feeding programs. Complete Feeds are easy to use, affordable, and provide energy for the horse. However, they may contain excess fats and sugar and often lead to a diet rich in fats and carbohydrates. Complete feeds also adhere to the “all-in-one” concept, tethering calories and nutrients together. This creates opportunities for over- or under-supplementation, when horse owners adjust feeding levels to manage body condition. This most commonly occurs when feeding Easy Keepers and Hard Keepers.

A true Forage Balancer does not tether nutrients and calories, making it easier to maintain body condition. The average backyard horse and Easy Keeper can be sustained alone on Forage and a quality Forage Balancer. Whole oats, copra, beet pulp, and/or vegetable oil can be added for horses requiring additional calories, such as Hard Keepers and Performance Horses.

Benefits of a Forage Balancer:

Brings the Horse Back to its “Basic” Forage Diet
Separates Calories from Nutrients
Low in Calories, Starches, and Carbohydrates
Reduces the Risk of Metabolic Disorders
Increases Feed Utilization of Hay and Pasture
Helps Maintain Proper Body Condition Score
Helps Manage Calorie Consumption
Eliminates Feeding Complete Feeds

Recommended Forage Balancer for Adult Horses

Life Data® Forage Balancer

Life Data® Forage Balancer, formerly Barn Bag® Hay and Pasture Balancer, fortifies the natural diet of the adult horse regardless of activity level. It is low calorie, low starch, and can be fed alongside Farrier’s Formula® for additional nutritional hoof health support. The average 1,000 lb. horse would be fed ½ standard kitchen measuring cup daily. Visit our website for additional information, feeding instructions, and ingredients.

Recommended Forage Balancer for Broodmares and Foals

Life Data® Broodmare and Growing Horse

Life Data® Broodmare and Growing Horse Pelleted Feed Concentrate is a source of required daily nutrients for all broodmares and growing horses. It allows the horse owner to separate the calorie requirements for gestation, lactation, or growth from other nutrient requirements. Proper feeding during gestation and growth results in a healthier horse! Visit our website for additional information, feeding instructions, and ingredients.

Recommended Formula for Metabolic Syndrome Horses

Life Data® Insulin R Formula

Life Data® Insulin R Formula supports insulin-resistant horses by supplying active ingredients to assist with glucose metabolism, fat metabolism, insulin action, and help reduce inflammation. It also supports proper metabolism to encourage weight control and general health. For horses with:

Insulin Resistance
Insulin Resistance and PPID (Cushing’s Disease)
Insulin Resistance, PPID, and Laminitis

Visit our website, www.lifedatalabs.com, for additional information, directions for use, and ingredients.

March 17, 2025March 17, 2025

Tradeshow Giveaway!

Thank you for visiting our booth! Sign up for the Life Data® E-mail Newsletter and enter a chance to win!

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January 3, 2025January 3, 2025

Life Data® Hoof Care Booklet

The Life Data^®Hoof Care Booklet is a collection of research and tips that will assist the horse owner in developing and maintaining a high-quality hoof. This booklet gives readers a deeper understanding of:

The Anatomy and Physiology of the Hoof
How Genetics Affect the Hoof
Nutritional Support for the Hoof
External and Internal Hoof Care

Fill out the form below for a free digital download of the Life Data® Hoof Care Booklet.

*By submitting this form, you agree to receive future e-mails, marketing material, and updates from Life Data Labs, Inc.

November 26, 2024November 26, 2024

Finding Reliability in Equine Supplements

Who Manufactures Your Horse’s Feeds and Supplements?

When a horse owner opens the green-fronted bag of Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength, we want that customer to be confident that the pellets inside are safe for their horse, matchless in quality, and provide the nutrients the horse requires. A commitment Life Data® has made since Dr. Frank Gravlee produced the very first bag of Farrier’s Formula® back in the early 80’s. The following summarizes the steps we take to ensure Life Data® supplements, like Farrier’s Formula® and other Life Data® products, continue to be at the level of quality our customers expect.

Consistent and Trustworthy Manufacturing

Life Data Labs, Inc. is committed to supplying horse owners with premium quality animal nutrition and health products through our in-house ISO 9001 Certified manufacturing facility. We take measures to ensure the products are manufactured in a clean, safe, and environmentally friendly manner. We uphold these standards through our ISO 9001 certification, and our commitment to quality. Life Data® is one of the only animal feed manufacturers to obtain an ISO 9001 certification. It is an extra step we take to ensure our manufacturing process remains green, consistent, innovative, and efficient.

Animal-Byproduct-Free Facility

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or Mad Cow Disease) can be transmitted through commercial feed that utilizes animal by-products. Although the risk is low due to FDA regulations and other factors, it can still occur. Other notable safety concerns include spreading pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. Contamination of feeds through animal by-products happens more frequently than contamination of plant-based food and feeds.

Life Data® products do not contain animal byproducts. The Alabama Department of Agriculture certifies Life Data® as an animal-byproduct-free facility.

Life Data® is an Ionophore Free Facility

Ionophores are antibiotic-like compounds commonly utilized in cattle, pigs, and poultry feeds to increase feed efficiency and weight gain. Although not toxic to the targeted species, the compounds are toxic to horses, often leading to death. It is crucial never to allow your horses to consume mixes prepared for other species and to avoid any feed with the risk of ionophore contamination.

The most common cause of ionophore poisoning in horses is accidentally giving feed intended for other species. Unfortunately, contamination from feed mills that produce equine and other livestock feed can also occur. Many horses have been poisoned from this contamination. Horse owners should consider this when buying feed and supplements for their horses.

Farrier’s Formula®, along with all Life Data® Equine and Canine Supplements, are ionophore-free. Life Data® does not manufacture supplements for other species, and Life Data® does not inventory or utilize ionophores such as:

Monensin (Rumensin®)
Lasalocid (Bovatec®)
Laidlomycin Propionate (Cattlyst®)

Some feed manufacturing plants that produce cattle, pigs, and/or poultry feed claim to be “Ionophore Safe” by cleaning out bins and the manufacturing line before manufacturing horse feed or supplements. However, we believe that human mistakes can occur and that any level of ionophore cross-contamination, however small, can lead to long-term horse health issues.

If you believe your horse may have consumed a product containing ionophore, contact your veterinarian as quickly as possible. Signs of ionophore poisoning include:

Poor appetite
Feed refusal
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Weakness
Rapid Heart Rate
Cardiac failure
Struggle walking
Depression

In-house Manufacturing

Life Data® Manufacturing Facility in Cherokee, AL

Life Data® does not outsource manufacturing to other third-party facilities. From ingredient mixing, pelleting, packaging, and shipping from our dock, Life Data® supplements are created within our facility located in Cherokee, Alabama. This same facility also manages ingredient receiving and warehousing and houses our research and product development laboratory. This ensures that every product that comes out of our facility is meticulously researched, developed, and manufactured under the watchful eye and expertise of Life Data Labs, Inc.

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

Does Feeding Sulfur Help the Hoof?

sulfur smoke from Hot Shoeing Horse — **Sulfur is abundant in the hoof.** *The “rotten egg” odor produced during hot-shoeing is the smell of sulfur gas resulting from burning the sulfur – rich connective tissue proteins of the hoof.*

The connective tissues of all mammals are rich in the mineral sulfur. The skin, hair, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and horses’ hooves are primarily collagen. Collagen is the protein of connective tissue and is the most abundant protein in the mammalian body. Sulfur depletion is known to lead to connective tissue problems; however, too much sulfur in the diet may have a negative effect on connective tissue strength.

Amino Acids Combine to Make Protein

Twenty amino acids are known to make up the building blocks for mammalian body protein. Approximately one-half of the amino acids are essential amino acids that the body cannot make, and therefore, they must be ingested. Methionine is an essential amino acid that the body can convert to another “sulfur-containing” amino acid called cysteine. Cysteine is important because it furnishes the sulfur “welds,” or crosslinks, necessary for healthy collagen and, thus, robust hoof infrastructure. A deficiency of sulfur-containing amino acids could lead to structural weakness of the ligaments, tendons, bones, joints, and hooves.

“Organic” Forms of Sulfur

Since methionine and cysteine are naturally occurring “sulfur-containing” amino acids, they are considered “organic” forms of sulfur. The organic forms of sulfur supply the majority of sulfur needed to meet the horse’s sulfur requirement. Plants provide inorganic and organic sulfur to the horse; however, the inorganic sulfur is poorly absorbed by the horse’s digestive tract. The equine hindgut microbes may utilize some inorganic sulfur to synthesize their cellular proteins, but the absorption of these amino acids is compromised at this point in the digestive tract.

Hoof Supplements, Joint Supplements, MSM and Sulfur

Most joint supplements contain MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). MSM contains about 34% sulfur and is manufactured via a chemical reaction involving DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and hydrogen peroxide. Following the chemical reaction, a refinement process is necessary to remove any impurities or toxic by-products from the MSM.

Excessive dietary sulfur can result from either MSM supplementation, excess supplementation with the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, or a combination of MSM/methionine/cysteine supplementation. Excess sulfur in the diet has been shown to block the proper utilization of copper in many species. Copper and vitamin C are necessary for forming collagen to build the healthy connective tissue essential for solid hooves and joints.

Hoof Supplements with Sulfur

Many hoof supplements contain organic sulfur in the form of the essential amino acid methionine to balance the relative deficiency of this amino acid in typical equine feedstuffs. Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength contains methionine that provides the optimal sulfur level for healthy connective tissues and hooves. If the horse has joint problems in addition to hoof problems, Life Data^® manufactures a Hoof and Joint combination product that prevents the over-supplementation of sulfur. This product, Farrier’s Formula^® DS Plus Joint, contains the nutrients essential for healthy hooves plus ornithine, proline, and manganese for joint and ligament health.

Over-Supplementation

Over-supplementation with many nutrients has other adverse effects. Giving more than one vitamin/mineral supplement to a horse is generally not a good idea unless they are formulated to be provided together. Giving a balanced supplement backed by research and years of proven effectiveness and avoiding other supplements with duplicate nutrients can lead to a healthier and happier horse.

Scott Gravlee, DVM, CNS
Equine Nutrition Consultant
Life Data Labs, Inc.

August 28, 2024August 28, 2024

Tracking Hoof Quality Through a Camera Lens

Say Cheese! Believe it or not, one of the top recommendations we give to horse owners who have just begun feeding Farrier’s Formula® for hoof growth and quality is, “Get your phone out and take pictures of those hooves!”

Developing Hoof Growth Requires Patience

Feeding for hoof growth is a tedious process, and, as mentioned in previous blog articles, it takes time and patience. Even when promoting hoof growth through a hoof supplement, maintaining regular farrier schedules, and managing daily hoof care, seeing significant results can take several months. It can take nine months to a year for the hoof to completely grow out. Sometimes, it can take longer, depending on the original condition of the hoof or if unforeseen setbacks occur.

Unfortunately, setbacks to hoof growth may occur when the process is disrupted by:

Discontinuing the hoof supplement
Not following farrier recommendations
Inconsistent hoof management
Using caustic topicals for a “quick fix”
All the above

Subtle Improvements to the Hoof are Difficult to Notice

Becoming disgruntled is understandable. Improvements to the hoof will be subtle. Early on, the most significant change will occur from within the hoof, and the internal improvement won’t be visible. Most horse owners also see the hooves regularly, and subtle exterior changes can go unnoticed. The slow, gradual process blinds us to the improvements the hoof has developed. More than likely, your farrier will notice those changes before you do!

Use the Camera as a Hoof Care Tool

A camera is a powerful tool for horse owners. Routinely taking pictures of the hooves and comparing them over time can help you witness subtle changes and even reveal the challenges that still need work. Many horse owners will be shocked at the difference between photos taken only three months apart, changes that would typically go unnoticed. Comparing photos over time and seeing improvements will help keep you focused on the task ahead!

Two-Month Hoof Progress

For example, we recently received a two-month update from a horse owner who had just begun supplementing with Farrier’s Formula® and using topical applications of Farrier’s Finish®. This individual included new pictures with the update and said, “I think it is too early yet to know the impact that Farrier’s Formula is having…”

Hoof Quality Progress After two months — Left Front Hoof Two Months Apart After Supplementing with Farrier’s Formula®.

But, compared to the original photograph from two months ago, the changes are much more evident. Some of the noticeable improvements include:

A tighter white line
Healthier frog and sole
Less bruising

When the horse owner was shown the two photographs side by side, she was shocked and replied, “My goodness, you are right. What a difference in a relatively short time.”

The hooves still require much time and work, but the photos reveal that Farrier’s Formula® and Farrier’s Finish® are working together to rebuild a healthy hoof. This revelation and seeing the changes reinvigorated the horse owner.

Track Hoof Health Over Time

Photography is not only an excellent way to track your horse’s hoof growth but also a way to track overall hoof health. It gives you a record of when specific problems began taking place. These can be shared with your farrier or veterinarian to diagnose a problem. The more evidence available, the quicker a solution can be found.

Photographing Hooves

Here are a few tips to consider when photographing hooves.

Lighting For Hoof Quality — Lighting Plays an Important Role in Revealing Details in Hoof Quality.

Lighting is everything
- Lighting is essential to reveal the details of the hoof. If the hoof is covered in shadows, details can be challenging to see. So, when picking a location for your photoshoot, try not to take them in your barn’s darkest corner.
Cleaned and trimmed
- A dirty hoof doesn’t photograph well! Before you take pictures, clean the hoof and clear the sole of any debris.
- Taking pictures after the farrier has visited is not only a good “timestamp” but ensures the hoof looks “its best” at that time.
Focus on the hoof
- Your camera can easily focus on something other than the hoof. When taking your photos, double-check to ensure the hoof is in view, clear, and not blurry. Even the slightest blur can make those needed details challenging to see.
Use every angle
- Capture pictures of the hoof from every angle. We encourage at least five angles: the front of the hoof, each side, the back, and the sole. The more angles, the better!
Repeat
- Repeat the same angles each time you photograph the hoof. This makes it easier to compare photos over time.
Photograph regularly
- We will leave this one up to you! Take pictures as often as you’d like, but we recommend at least scheduling your photo sessions with your farrier visits. It’s easier to remember and more convenient for you as the horse owner.

6 Month Hoof Quality Progress — Hoof Quality Improvements After Six Months Supplementing with Farrier’s Formula®

Hoof Care Notes

When working towards building a new hoof, here are a few other notes to consider:

The first signs of success will appear in the hair coat.
- The same nutrients essential for the hoof are also important for developing healthy skin and hair coat. The internal health of your horse is revealed externally. When you notice your horse developing a healthy and glossier hair coat while feeding Farrier’s Formula®, know that better hoof quality will follow.
The hoof doesn’t “heal.” It must “grow out.”
- The cracks, defects, and poor hoof quality will not heal like a wound. They must grow out with the hoof. Farrier’s Formula® promotes the needed growth. Using a non-caustic hoof topical, like Farrier’s Finish® or Life Data® Hoof Clay®, protects the new growth from “hoof-eating” bacterial and fungal invasions that enter the hoof capsule from the hoof cracks and defects.
Nutrition is only one step in a greater equation.
- Nutrition is essential for healthy hooves, but it is one factor of many. Genetics, mechanics, and the environment also affect the quality of your horse’s hooves. If you do everything correctly from a nutrition standpoint but don’t maintain balanced hooves and proper hoof management, hoof growth, and quality will still suffer.
Be familiar with your horses’ hooves.
- Your farrier shouldn’t be the only one picking up your horses’ hooves. As a horse owner, you should know your horse’s hooves like the back of your hand. Cleaning and managing hoof care is a daily routine.
  - If you stall your horse at a public barn and cannot see your horse daily, build a community within the barn to share the responsibilities of daily hoof management.
Talk with your farrier.
- Even if you don’t notice improvements to the hoof, there is a good chance your farrier will. They may notice the better hoof quality when trimming the hoof. For example, they may feel more resistance when rasping the hoof wall or less tenderness in the sole.

Last Thoughts

Hoof care can be tedious and frustrating, but with the right tools, a good farrier, and patience, you can develop a hoof your horse can be proud of. Using photography as part of the process is fun and an excellent tool for management and care. If you have any questions regarding hoof care or any of the products mentioned in this article, please call us at 1-800-624-1873 or e-mail us at cservice@lifedatalabs.com. If your horse develops a hoof-related issue, consult with your veterinarian and farrier as soon as possible.

May 10, 2024May 10, 2024

Excess Selenium and Equine Metabolic Conditions

Is There a Correlation Between Excess Selenium and Insulin Resistance, PPID, or Laminitis?

Life Data® has performed whole blood testing on horses in our in-house lab utilizing whole blood trace mineral ICP-MS analysis. Our research showed that Insulin Resistant, PPID (Cushing’s Disease), and laminitis-prone horses are consistently higher in some nutrients and lower in others compared to the average healthy horse.

Selenium Excesses in Whole Blood

Selenium is one of the whole blood minerals that test higher than average in most horses with a metabolic condition such as insulin resistance or PPID. The research at Life Data® has not determined the basis or mechanism leading to higher selenium whole blood levels. Higher than average whole blood selenium levels may or may not be related to selenium intake. However, as a precaution, Life Data® does not recommend giving an Insulin Resistant or PPID horse any feeds, ration balancers, or supplements containing selenium. Almost all fortified feeds and balancers contain selenium.

What Does Selenium Do for the Horse?

Selenium is required in the diet for normal metabolic functions and is naturally present in forages. Unless the forage or hay is grown in a selenium-deficient area, the horse will not likely be selenium deficient.

Excess selenium in the diet, usually through fortified feeds or supplements, will substitute for the stronger sulfur bonds in connective tissue, leading to weaker tissue. This excess can negatively impact hooves, skin, hair, and ligaments.

Nutrition for Horses with Metabolic Conditions

Life Data® has formulated several specialty equine products based on our Whole Blood Research. When our research shows that nutrition may benefit horses with a condition, a formulation is produced for field trial testing. Low or high whole blood element levels are often either positively or negatively correlated with other nutrients such as other trace minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. The formulations for these conditions are designed to bring the high levels down and supplement the low nutrients. The formulation is not a treatment for a condition and is not intended to replace veterinary-prescribed therapeutics.

Life Data® Products for Specific Equine Conditions

Life Data® has developed three specialty products to help metabolic horses:

Life Data® Lamina Formula for horses prone to laminitis.
Life Data® Insulin R Formula for horses diagnosed or suspected to have insulin resistance.
Life Data® Adrenal Formula for horses diagnosed or suspected to have PPID.

These formulations address the differences found in our whole blood testing. They do not contain added selenium and will replace ration balancers and/or complete feeds. They are also formulated to be given along with Farrier’s Formula® for additional support to the connective tissues of the ligaments, skin, joints, and hooves.

Scott Gravlee, DVM, CNS

Equine Nutrition Consultant

Life Data Labs, Inc

www.lifedatalabs.com

cservice@lifedatalabs.com

March 1, 2024March 1, 2024

Joint Supplements for Horses: A Review of MSM, Glucosamine and Other “Typical” Ingredients

Horse eating Joint Supplement from Owner's Hand

Due to the risk of over-supplementation, horse owners must be cautious of the ingredients used when supplementing for hoof and joint health. Joint supplements containing glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM are often given in addition to hoof supplements. These ingredients are typically “thought of” when discussing nutrition for joint health, but do they make a difference? How do they affect your horse when given with other supplements?

Supplementing Horses with sulfur from MSM vs. sulfur-containing amino acids

Synthetic MSM contains about 34% sulfur and is manufactured via a chemical reaction involving DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and hydrogen peroxide. A refinement process is necessary to remove any impurities and toxic by-products from the MSM following the chemical reaction.

Excess sulfur in the diet has been shown to block the proper absorption of copper in many species. Copper and Vitamin C are necessary to form collagen to build the healthy connective tissue essential for strong hooves and joints. Reduced copper absorption from excessive sulfur supplementation will produce the opposite of the intended, resulting in diminished hoof and joint health.

Methionine and cystine are the two sulfur-containing amino acids. Quality hoof supplements contain these amino acids. Rather than MSM, methionine and cysteine are the sources of the sulfur needed to build healthy connective tissue for strong hooves.

Excessive sulfur supplementation often occurs when feeding a hoof supplement and a joint supplement concurrently. As a rule, when feeding a hoof supplement containing methionine, do not add a joint supplement containing MSM.

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint is a balanced Hoof and Joint supplement formulated with methionine and cysteine to provide the sulfur needed for Hoof and Joint support. Feeding Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint eliminates the risk of sulfur over-supplementation.

Glucosamine in Joint Supplements for Horses

Equine joint supplements usually contain glucosamine. Glucosamine is a specialized form of sugar the body utilizes for cartilage development. Although glucosamine is not directly converted to glucose, supplementation at higher levels has been implicated in increasing insulin secretion because the body thinks there is excess glucose in the bloodstream. As a precautionary measure, avoiding glucosamine administration may be recommended for horses with metabolic issues or recurring bouts of laminitis.

Due to this risk, a few Joint supplement manufacturers have elected to remove Glucosamine as an ingredient. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint is frequently used for horses recovering from laminitis and laminitis-prone horses. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint does not contain Glucosamine.

Hyaluronic Acid for Equine Joints

Hyaluronic acid has proven beneficial when injected. However, little evidence exists when given orally that the compound is absorbed intact through the equine intestines or makes its way to the joints. Supplementing hyaluronic acid may or may not have benefits to the joint. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint does not contain hyaluronic acid.

Chondroitin Sulfate in Equine Joint Supplements

Chondroitin sulfate is derived from animals or marine life. Animal-derived ingredients or animal-origin ingredients increase the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria or other unsafe compounds when added to feed products. There is also little evidence that supplementing chondroitin sulfate to horses benefits the joints. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint does not contain Chondroitin.

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint

To address these issues, Life Data® developed Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint does not contain MSM, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, or glucosamine. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint also contains the correct level of sulfur provided organically by methionine and cystine.

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint is effective by strengthening the connective tissue of the ligaments surrounding the joints and rebuilding cartilage. Ornithine, an active ingredient in the product, works with arginine in the urea cycle to reduce ammonia levels. Ammonia is converted to urea. Urea has notable detrimental effects on the joints and cartilage, even at low levels. Long-term excessive urea levels in humans lead to gout.

Proline is another active ingredient. It is an amino acid that gives ligaments “stretch,” providing additional motion for the joints and making ligaments and joints less susceptible to injury and the resulting inflammation. People commonly take Proline to decrease joint pain.

Manganese is another ingredient in Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint and is an essential component of cartilage. The product has many more ingredients to build and support the joints, hooves, and skin connective tissue.

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint works with a unique and different approach to joint care. It also provides all the benefits to hoof health that our original Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength provides to the horse. When providing Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint, horse owners can take comfort in knowing they are promoting the health of their horse’s hooves and joints with a balanced product backed by years of research.

September 22, 2023September 22, 2023

The Pony and Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Ponies are at a High Risk of Insulin Resistance, Laminitis, and Cushing’s Disease

Ponies are generally considered to be less than 14 hands tall at the withers. Although energy requirements vary between ponies, most are easy keepers with low caloric requirements and seem to gain weight from the air they breathe! The ancestors of today’s ponies endured harsh conditions and barren environments. Ponies became genetically “wired” to survive with little food. With today’s pastures and plentiful hay, the incidence of obesity and the subsequent health issues are commonplace.

Why Ponies Are Prone to Obesity

In the evolution of the wild pony, he/she instinctively consumed sufficient forage to gain additional weight during the Summer and Fall to prepare for the harsher winter months. The added fat was burned as needed to help maintain metabolic functions through the winter. The wild Pony would utilize the excess fat by spring, emerging lean but healthy, and the cycle began again.

The domesticated pony goes through the same cycle, but human interference has interrupted this natural process by providing a rich diet throughout the year. The pony goes into winter fat, continues receiving the same rich diet, and the stored fat is never expended. When Spring arrives, the pony is not only overweight but also has additional access to sugar-rich spring grazing. This dietary routine leads to chronic obesity and impacts the metabolic health of the pony.

The Overweight Pony and Equine Metabolic Syndrome

A diet too rich in calories and the resulting obesity is the leading contributor to the development of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Obesity continues to be on the rise for ponies in the United States. Some studies show that around 72% of the pony population is overweight. Obese ponies are at a high risk of metabolic issues such as:

Insulin Resistance
Laminitis and founder
Diminished organ function

Insulin Resistance

Obesity affects how the pony utilizes insulin. The abdomen is the largest fat storage compartment for adipose tissue (fat). Mammals store most of their fat in their abdomen. Abdominal fat storage is called omental, or visceral fat. The visceral fat helps regulate several body processes that support the wild pony’s survival through winter. One of these functions of adipose tissue is the production of an insulin resistance factor to allow the pony to maintain slightly higher levels of blood glucose, or energy, through the harshness of winter. It is nature’s intention that this mild state of insulin resistance is to gradually reverse as the pony burns the visceral fat for winter energy.

However, the overfed domesticated pony does not need to utilize this fat; therefore, there is a continuance of insulin resistance. In Spring, this insulin resistant pony has access to forage high in sugar, leading to further weight gain and increasing insulin resistance, predisposing the pony to metabolic issues and laminitis.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome

A horse is commonly labeled as affected by Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) if he/she has high blood insulin levels (insulin dysregulation), concurrent obesity, and a history of laminitis, or at least a likely candidate of laminitis. EMS usually begins appearing in ponies between the ages of 5 to 15 years of age. There are common signs of EMS that pony owners can look for.

Obesity
Bouts of Laminitis
Frequent Urination
Unwillingness to Move or Perform
Cresty Neck and Regional Fatty Deposits
Easy Keeper that Gains Weight Easily
Constant Appetite
Infertility in Mares
Poor Hoof Quality

Preventing Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Prevention is vital when it comes to EMS. Pony owners must maintain a healthy body condition score through a balanced diet. Here are a few tips for establishing a healthy diet for your Pony.

Feed a “basic diet” of pasture grass and hay.
Avoid complete feeds, sweet feeds, and sweet treats.
Utilize a quality hay and pasture balancer.
- Our recommendation: Barn Bag® Hay and Pasture Balancer.
Provide plenty of water and free choice white salt.

Exercise is also essential in maintaining the pony’s body condition. Regular exercise will help burn off excess visceral fat that has been deposited. Active ponies are also less likely to develop EMS. If the pony has not been conditioned for exercise, start slowly to allow the pony to adjust. Ponies that compete or perform regular work and are not obese may need additional calories for energy. In this case, extra calories may be added to the feeding program in the form of oats, beet pulp, or copra.

A quality hoof supplement, such as Farrier’s Formula®, may also be added to maintain hoof health.

Feeding the Obese Pony to Address EMS

Our first goal in addressing an obese pony with EMS is to help him/her establish a healthy body condition score. Control calorie intake by removing all complete feeds, sweet feeds, and treats from the feeding program and transition the pony to the “basic diet” of hay and pasture. As mentioned earlier, a regular exercise program is also important.

Life Data® research has been instrumental in the development of effective nutritional products to help the metabolic horse. These new products are formulated to address specific metabolic issues.

For Ponies with Insulin Resistance:

Life Data® Insulin R Formula supports insulin resistant ponies by supplying active ingredients to assist with glucose metabolism, fat metabolism, insulin action, and help reduce inflammation. Life Data® Insulin R Formula also supports proper metabolism to encourage weight control and general health. This is recommended for ponies diagnosed with the following:

Insulin Resistance
Insulin Resistance + Cushing’s Disease/PPID
Insulin Resistance + Laminitis
Insulin Resistance + Cushing’s Disease + Laminitis

For Ponies with Cushing’s Disease

Life Data® Adrenal Formula provides active ingredients that can benefit horses with PPID, or Cushing’s Disease. The active ingredients may help improve glucose metabolism, regulate adrenal and thyroid hormones, and improve metabolism. Life Data® Adrenal Formula is recommended for ponies diagnosed with the following:

Cushing’s Disease/PPID
Cushing’s Disease + Laminitis

For Ponies with Laminitis

Life Data® Lamina Formula is a laminae support supplement for ponies with acute or chronic laminitis. Life Data® Lamina Formula ingredients assist in laminitis recovery, reduce inflammation, support the maintenance of blood flow in the inner hoof wall, and help protect from or reduce the incidence of future bouts of laminitis.

Life Data® Insulin R Formula, Life Data® Adrenal Formula, and Life Data® Lamina Formula should not be combined or provided together. Ponies with insulin resistance, PPID, and/or laminitis are prone to hoof issues, so for best results, we also recommend feeding Farrier’s Formula®.

If your horse has EMS or other health issues, advise your veterinarian and farrier. If you have questions regarding feeding and supplementing your pony or the information in this blog article, feel free to contact us.