Equine Care Archives - Life Data® Blog

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

Sulfur Over Supplementation in Horses

Why is Sulfur Important for Horses?

The connective tissues of all mammals are rich in the mineral sulfur. The skin, hair, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and hooves of horses are composed of connective tissue. Collagen is the protein of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in the mammalian body. Sulfur, an important component of collagen, is required for both joint health and, in horses, healthy hooves. One dietary source of sulfur is methionine. Methionine is an essential amino acid that the body can convert to another “sulfur-containing” amino acid called cysteine.

Farrier 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.

Once converted, cysteine provides the sulfur “welds,” or crosslinks, necessary for healthy collagen and, thus, a strong connective tissue infrastructure. The lack of sulfur, or methionine, in a horse’s diet is known to lead to structural weakness in the:

Ligaments
Tendons
Bones
Joints
Hooves

However, too much sulfur in a horse’s diet can lead to over-supplementation, weaken joint strength, and affect hoof quality.

How does Over-Supplementation Occur?

Many hoof supplements contain sulfur in the form of the amino acid methionine. The added methionine balances the relative deficiency of methionine in the typical equine pasture and hay diet. Most equine joint supplements contain MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, which contains around 34% sulfur. Sulfur over-supplementation can result from feeding a hoof supplement with methionine along with a joint supplement containing MSM. Excess sulfur in the diet has been shown to impair the proper absorption of copper. Copper, along with vitamin C, is necessary for collagen formation and the development of healthy connective tissue for strong hooves and joints.

How can Over-Supplementation be Avoided?

There are other negative effects of over-supplementation, and it is generally not a good idea to give more than one vitamin/mineral supplement to a horse. If the horse has joint problems in addition to hoof problems, joint supplements without additional sulfur can be given in addition to the hoof supplement. Avoiding supplements that duplicate nutrients is key to reducing the risk of over-supplementation. Providing a single balanced supplement, backed by research and years of proven effectiveness, is recommended and can lead to a healthier, happier horse.

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint is formulated to provide nutrients to help build strong connective tissue, improve hoof and coat quality, and give support for the joints without creating the over-supplementation and added expense that occurs when feeding a hoof supplement and joint supplement separately.

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

Feeding for Hoof Health

Factors that Affect Hoof Health

Genetics
Farrier work
Type of environment
Work intensity
Microbial invasions
Nutrition

Nutrition’s Role in Hoof Care

In this article, we want to focus on the role that nutrition plays in hoof health.

Consider the following scenario, where two horses are:
1. In the same environment and barn
2. Fed the same diet
3. Working at the same level
4. Competing in the same discipline
5. Trimmed by the same Farrier
6. Cared by the same person
However, one has healthy feet, and the other has poor-quality hooves.

Dietary Factors

In the case above, since all factors are the same, we may want to take a closer look at nutrition. Even though both horses are receiving the same diet, their genetic makeup plays a big role in how nutrients are absorbed and utilized.

When horses have poor feet due to dietary factors, it can be hard to determine the exact cause. However, you can assume that your horse is:

Not receiving the correct nutrients
Absorbing nutrients insufficiently
Another dietary factor is interfering with nutrient utilization

It is of great importance to maintain correct ratios between all nutrients to prevent one nutrient from interfering with the absorption and utilization of another. When balancing diets it is just as important to prevent excesses as it is to correct deficiencies.

Hoof problems? Where should you start?

1. Provide hay and/or pasture as the basic diet
2. Provide a quality hoof supplement
3. Provide free-choice loose salt
4. Allow access to fresh, clean water

If your horse does have a noticeable hoof problem, and you begin a nutritional program to solve it, you should see a positive difference emerging from the coronary band within 8 to 10 weeks. If not, you should re-examine your nutrition and management program immediately with the help of an equine nutritionist.

Farrier's Formula, Farrier's Finish, Life Data Hoof Clay

Recommended Hoof Supplement: Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength

What should you avoid?

1) Avoid using several supplements
o Most supplements, when fed in conjunction with others, can lead to over-supplementation, nutrient interferences, and even create toxic levels of some ingested nutrients. Ask your veterinarian if it’s safe to feed one supplement with another.

2) Avoid high-bran diets
o Wheat, rice or other grains

3) In the vast majority of cases biotin alone is not enough to correct poor hoof quality.
o There are many other nutrients that affect hoof quality.

The key is fortifying hoof health without producing nutrient excesses or deficiencies. When choosing a hoof supplement, ask your farrier which one does he or she recommends. Chances are, it’ll be Farrier’s Formula^®: the #1 recommended hoof supplement by Farriers in the United States.

J. Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS
Founder of Life Data Labs, Inc.
H. Scott Gravlee, DVM, CNS
Equine Nutrition Consultant

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

Case Report: Laminitis

Summary

A 13-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was treated for severe laminitis with Animalintex poultices, Farrier’s Formula^®, Pegasus Laser Therapy, and Soft-Ride Boots, which allowed for the growth of new hoof walls after the old hoof walls had rotated away and sloughed off. These therapies to increase circulation and provide nutrition to the hooves were successful in returning the gelding soundly to his previous level of work after 18 months.

Punctured
Right Hind Sole 07/02/2012

Introduction

Laminitis in its most simple definition is inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof wall. The cause however can vary from trauma, to grain overload, to toxins, and beyond. This case study is meant to show that even the most severe of cases have a chance of survival and return to work if we attempt to help the body heal itself rather than use our traditional treatment regimes. However, the key to success relies on the presence of a willing and diligent owner, veterinarian, farrier, and above all a patient that is willing to be treated.

Left Fore Medial 07/18/2012

Nutrition

In conjunction with antibiotic treatments, he received daily Probios. Free-choice grass hay was available at all times. Daily ration consisted of ½ cup Life Data^® Forage Balancer. Hoof supplement consisted of 1/2cup Farrier’s Formula^® Double Strength. Fresh water was also available at all times.

Hoof Resection
Right Hind Wall Resection 8/20/2012

Results

Hooves remained intact and grew at an increased rate.
The hoof wall that was present at the onset of the laminitic episode rotated away from P3 on each hoof. (see Left Fore Medial 7.18.2012).
The dead soles were removed at the beginning of the 3rd month of treatment. (see Right Hind Sole 7.2.2012).
The outer hoof walls detached at 4.5 months of treatment. (see Right Hind Wall Resection 8.20.2012).
New hoof wall grew in at the correct angle and did not associate with the old hoof wall. Hooves continued to grow and at 11 months all hooves had grown to touch the ground. (see Right Hind Lateral 3.30.2013). He remained tender on the front hooves but was able to have his back boots removed at that time.
At 18 months aluminum Natural Balance shoes were applied to his front hooves and he was able to trot off sound.

Right Hand Lateral
Right Hind Lateral 03/30/2013

Discussion

The combination of Animalintex poultices, Farrier’s Formula^®, Pegasus Laser therapy, and Soft-Ride Boots led to a full recovery of a horse that should not have survived. Animalintex poultices allowed for debris and waste products to be removed from the body without the need to recirculate through the body. Farrier’s Formula^® provided the nutrition needed for increased hoof growth. Pegasus laser therapy allowed for increased circulation to get the nutrients where they were needed most, as well as provide pain relief from standing in the “founder stance”. Soft-Ride Boots provided support and protection to the bandaged hooves as well as increasing circulation during the times he did choose to stand.

Recovered Hoof
Right Hind Lateral 05/29/2013

E. Jones Williams, DVM
Stable & Stock Veterinary Services, PLLC
Watertown, TN USA

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

Nutrients that Influence Hoof Health

The nutritional demands of domesticated modern horses are much different than the nutritional demands of wild horses. A myriad of feedstuffs and supplements have been developed and marketed in reaction to these changing needs. While proper supplementation can provide numerous benefits, insufficient or excessive supplementation of any nutrient can be detrimental for hoof health.

Amino acids

Methionine, proline, glycine, and glutamine are some of the amino acids that are major protein building blocks of healthy connective tissue (hooves are primarily composed of connective tissue). An imbalance of the amino acid ratio leads to inefficient protein production.

Tyrosine and Iodine
The amino acid tyrosine and the mineral iodine are components of thyroid hormone. A deficiency of either of these nutrients can lead to low thyroid function, obesity, and poor hair coat and hoof quality. The relationship between tyrosine, iodine, hoof problems, and obesity is very strong.

Methionine
Methionine is important for the proper utilization of lipids and for building the sulfur crosslinks that add strength to connective tissue. Methionine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is commonly deficient in grasses and grains.

Vitamins

Vitamins are necessary for many metabolic processes and the general health of the horse and the hooves.

Vitamin A
Either an excess or deficiency of vitamin A can result in poor hoof quality and predispose the invasion of microorganisms into the hoof wall, creating a hoof defect pattern in which the outer hoof wall flakes off. Hair-like projections emerging from the hoof wall or the sole of a horse’s hoof is also an indicator of Vitamin A excess or deficiency.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, along with copper, serves as a catalyst in the formation of strong and healthy horn. Supplementation of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is traditionally believed to be unnecessary in horses. However, research conducted by Dr. Frank Gravlee, founder of Life Data Labs, established that stabled or stressed horses often have minimal blood levels of ascorbic acid and can therefore benefit from vitamin C supplementation.

Biotin
Biotin is necessary as a coenzyme for a multitude of metabolic functions, and is significantly important in the proper growth and strength of connective tissue. Supplementation of biotin is safe because it is a water soluble vitamin, which means biotin is not stored in the body in any significant amounts. Biotin is found naturally in pasture grasses and in many feedstuffs fed to horses. Hindgut microbes normally manufacture sufficient biotin to meet the horse’s daily requirement.

Minerals

Minerals are responsible for the structural integrity of the body, energy production, immune health, and perform other functions such as co-factors for enzymatic and metabolic reactions.

Copper
Copper is a mineral that is an important component of a multitude of metabolic functions. A copper deficiency leads to a number of abnormal conditions, including defects in the pigmentation and strength of the hooves. Forages can be copper deficient, especially if grown in high rainfall areas.

Zinc
Zinc is a mineral required for the healthy maturing of keratin – a major component of the outer layers of dermal tissue. Proper keratin formation is important for wound healing, skin health, and hoof structure. Zinc can be present in less than ideal levels in forages.

Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium provides the adhesive “welds” between cells. Excess phosphorus in the diet can interfere with calcium absorption. In the presence of hoof problems, bran should not be fed. Whether it’s from wheat, rice, oats or other grains, bran contains phytates. Phytates block the absorption of calcium predisposing the horse to a calcium deficiency and other mineral imbalances. Calcium deficiency results in crumbly hoof horn.

Sulfur
Sulfur is required to build the strong cross links necessary for healthy hoof horn. However, excessive sulfur interferes with copper metabolism leading to weak connective tissue structure and poor hoof quality.

Selenium
We are unaware of a selenium deficiency causing poor hoof quality. A selenium deficiency in horses will lead to other problems, such as muscle deterioration, long before any effects could potentially develop in the hooves. However, horses supplemented with excessive selenium develop a lack of structure in the hoof horn. The excess selenium replaces the stronger sulfur bonds, resulting in weak hoof horn. As selenium toxicity progresses, the outer hoof wall becomes brittle, noticeable horizontal rings appear, pain develops at the coronary band, and the outer hoof wall may slough.

Fatty Acids and Phospholipids

Fatty acids and phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine) add strength and pliability to connective tissues of the hooves, are critical for healthy moisture balance, and are necessary for a healthy, shiny coat. Phospholipids are important for healthy cell membranes.

We are faced with the nutrition challenge to fortify the horse’s hoof health without producing nutrient excesses and/or deficiencies. When choosing a hoof supplement, ask your farrier which one they recommend. Chances are it’ll be Farrier’s Formula^®, the #1 recommended hoof supplement by Farriers in the USA.

J. Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS
Founder of Life Data Labs, Inc.
H. Scott Gravlee, DVM, CNS
Equine Nutrition Consultant

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.

September 2, 2022September 2, 2022

Insulin Resistance in Horses

What is Equine Insulin Resistance?

The most basic explanation when discussing Insulin Resistance in horses is that we are dealing with an insulin problem within the horse. When a horse consumes carbohydrates, the pancreas is triggered to produce and release insulin. Insulin regulates and lowers glucose levels in the bloodstream by assisting the transport of glucose into the cells. When we have an Insulin Resistance problem, the cells become resistant to the action of insulin. As blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas secretes more insulin in the attempt to regulate blood sugar. Blood glucose levels begin to rise along with insulin levels when the pancreas reaches the limit of insulin production.

Horses at Risk of Insulin Resistance

Although all horses are at risk of developing insulin resistance, factors such as age, diet, exercise, and genetics can increase the risk. For example, certain breeds are more conducive to developing insulin resistance. These breeds include:

Morgans
Pasa Finos
Andalusians
Arabians
Peruvian Pasos
Mustangs
Ponies
Minis
Donkeys

Another example is the average age of these horses. If we look at the correlation between age and Insulin Resistance, horses in the 5-15 age range are predisposed to the development of Insulin Resistance. Insulin Resistance is a metabolic issue, so diet and weight also play a significant factor. Horses that are overweight with a body condition score (BCS) between 7 and 9 or who receive diets rich in sugar and carbs have a higher risk of developing Insulin Resistance than a horse who receives regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Clinical Signs of Equine Insulin Resistance

Overweight Horse — Horse with a Body Condition Score of 8

Since Insulin Resistance is a metabolic problem occurring within the horse, it may be difficult to see the signs of a problem. A common warning sign that can be associated with the development of Insulin Resistance is an obese horse. Other signs we can look at include:

Fast weight gain
Inability to lose weight
Fatty deposits on the body of the horse
Development of a “cresty” neck
Loss of topline
Increased appetite
Excessive thirst and urination
Inflammation
Frequent bouts of laminitis

Laminitis & Insulin Resistance

Most Insulin Resistant horses are prone to bouts of laminitis. This can be attributed to the abundance of fat tissue, which is extremely common in insulin-resistant horses. In overweight horses, research has uncovered evidence that there is an “insulin resistance” hormone factor produced by the excessive adipose (fat) tissue that contributes to the cells’ inability to uptake glucose from the bloodstream. Adipose tissue may also contribute to higher cortisol levels. The high glucose and cortisol levels are inflammatory and therefore predispose the horse to laminitis. We highly recommend including a quality hoof supplement in the diet of these Insulin Resistant horses

Preventing Insulin Resistance in Horses

The first ten years of your horse’s life often sets the stage for the development of metabolic conditions. Horse owners should start providing the correct nutrients and a balanced diet to the horse at conception. This balanced diet must be continued throughout the horse’s life to maintain health and prevent future metabolic problems. Other factors that can help prevent the development of Insulin Resistance:

Regular work and/or exercise
Maintaining a healthy body condition score
Feeding grass/hay with a quality hay balancer
Refraining from feeding “sweet” feeds or treats

Caring for the Insulin Resistant Horse

There is no cure for Insulin Resistance, but we can help make the life of these horses as comfortable as possible. The first step in this process is to examine the horse’s current diet and develop a feeding plan that will assist the horse in dropping excess weight. This new diet will be focused on reducing the number of sugars and carbs the horse consumes daily. This means no sweet feeds, limited treats, and no grasses with high fructan. Grasses likely to have high fructan content include:

Fertilized and growing pastures
Pastures stressed from drought or frosts
Grazing in the afternoon and evening
Tall fescue and ryegrass

Monitored grazing, dry lotting, and grazing muzzles may also be necessary depending on the horse and pasture.

Adding exercise to the horse’s daily routine is the next step. If the horse is not accustomed to exercise, it should be introduced slowly, 2-3 times a week, and built up over time. Eventually, we want the horse to exercise daily with body condition steadily improving.

Supplementation for Insulin Resistance

Supplementation is vital for horses with Insulin Resistance, especially when we begin cutting calories from the diet. We want to cut calories without cutting the horse’s required daily nutrients. If the horse’s diet is not balanced nutritionally, we are not providing the support needed to maintain our horse’s health.

As mentioned above, a quality hoof supplement is essential for insulin-resistant horses to help improve hoof wall density. A denser hoof wall is more resilient to the effects of laminitis and may reduce the risk of founder. One good option is to utilize a hay and pasture balancer alongside a hoof supplement to replace the missing nutrients from the low-calorie diet. Another option is to use a quality hoof supplement and a supplement specifically formulated to support horses with Insulin Resistance.

Life Data® Insulin R Formula and Farrier's Formula® Double Strength — Life Data® Insulin R Formula and Farrier’s Formula® *Double Strength*

Life Data® Recommendation

Farrier’s Formula® Double Strength and the new Life Data® Insulin R Formula work in conjunction to support horses with Insulin Resistance 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.

February 22, 2018August 17, 2026

Does My Horse Need A Joint Supplement?

Farrier Supporting Horse's Joint Some of you may already be asking yourself the question, “Should I be providing my horse a joint supplement or formula ?” Maybe you’re noticing that your once energetic horse is slowing down and seems to be stiff and not as nimble. Perhaps your award-winning steed is now taking longer to recover after a competition or a long ride. Maybe your horse is young and thriving and you want to prolong its life and career.

We all want to see our horses live a long, healthy, and enjoyable life, but can a joint supplement really make a difference? Would your horse benefit from receiving this form of joint support?

What is a Joint Problem?

Before we go on any further, we first need to establish what is a joint problem. To make the joint work, it takes the collaboration of tendons, cartilage, bone, soft tissue, and fluid. Any number of these working parts can develop problems and create discomfort in the joint. Some of you may not consider a joint problem an issue until it’s just that – an issue, but a joint problem begins at the first signs of discomfort in the joint. If you ignore the first signs of a problem, it will likely bring more discomfort and develop more issues for you and your horse. If you pay close attention, you can catch the signs of joint discomfort before it develops into something worse or creates irreversible damage.

Does Your Horse Have a Joint Problem?

So, how do we know a problem is there? As the horse owner, you will spend more time with your horse than anyone. You are familiar with your horse’s personality, habits, the way it walks, and so on. You are the first person in a line of checks and balances concerning the health and well being of your horse. Watch the way your horse walks and runs. Keep an eye out for any changes to it’s gate or any initial signs of discomfort.

These signs of discomfort can especially be seen when you pick up the foot to clean and pick the hoof. Also discuss your horse’s health with your farrier. If you’re regularly maintaining your horse’s hooves, your farrier will be working with your horse’s feet and legs on a regular basis. Your farrier will see the signs of discomfort in the joints as they watch your horse walk or pick up the foot to work on the hoof. Your veterinarian can also assist you in determining if there is an actual problem. Horse Jumping

Preventing Joint Issues and Injuries

It is also important to note that it is much easier to prevent a joint issue than to try and fix one. Prevention is all about protecting the joint before a problem can develop and extending the life and durability of your horse’s joints. Prevention is especially important for horse owners that are regularly using their horse for competition or for work. Competing with your horse in the form of racing, jumping, dressage, three-day eventing, reining, roping, barrel racing, or other athletic competitions and training will regularly apply stress to the joints of your horse. These horses are at the highest risk of developing joint issues or suffering from a joint injury.

Just think of a human athlete. How many NBA, MLB, or NFL stars have we seen fall early in their careers due to an injury involving a joint? Today, these stars are taking precautions to extend the life of their careers. Eating healthier, stretching, taking supplements and staying in shape. It is an investment for them to prolong the life of their careers. We can do the same thing for our athletic horse and extend the life of their athletic careers through their diets, training, and supplementation.

Providing a joint formula like Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint will deliver the ingredients important for the health of the joints and will make the joints more flexible and less prone to injury. These ingredients will also help your horse recover more quickly after a competition and compete at its peak performance. By providing a joint formula early you’re not only preventing future problems but investing in the longevity of your horse.

Joint Supplement for Horses

Supplementing will also help relieve discomfort and pain for a horse that has already developed joint issues. If you have an athletic horse that developed an injury during competition or training, the ingredients in a joint formula will help rebuild and strengthen the connective tissue within the joint. Providing a joint supplement or formula will also support relief to the problem areas, allowing your horse to regain movement that was once too painful to make. This is especially important for the older horse who may be arthritic or have problems due to the build up of past injuries. This will prolong the longevity of your horse, strengthen the joints, and help prevent issues from worsening.

Factors that affect horse joints

You may not be jumping hurdles or taking your horse on week long rides, but it doesn’t mean problems can’t occur. Providing a joint supplement or formula is never a bad idea, especially if you are seeking to extend your horse’s ability to work and compete or wish to address issues developed from injury or age. If you are looking for joint support, we recommend Farrier’s Formula DS Plus Joint.

Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint strengthens the connective tissues of the joints, tendons and ligaments and contains ingredients to promote lubrication of the joints. The inclusion of proline, ornithine, and manganese provide targeted joint support. This product contains the sulfur needed for joint health in the form of the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint also provides ingredients important for hoof growth and joint repair without the concern of over supplementation that could occur from feeding a separate hoof and joint supplement. If you have any questions on Farrier’s Formula® DS Plus Joint, proper supplementation, or on joint health please call us at 1-800-624-1873.

February 1, 2018July 19, 2021

How Important are Well Balanced Hooves?

If you own a horse or grew up around horses, you have probably heard the saying “No Hoof, No Horse.” Many of us horse lovers take this statement to heart. Without healthy feet, a horse is unable to be a horse. Running, working, riding – all these activities become a chore; a painful chore at that.

The importance of a healthy hoof is well established, but what about a balanced hoof? Can an imbalanced hoof create hoof related issues? If so, what issues can arise from an imbalanced foot?

Farrier’s on Balanced Hooves

We took this question to Darren Owen, a professional farrier, and asked, “Is a balanced hoof important to hoof health?” Here is what he had to say:

“In my opinion the answer would be yes. The imbalanced foot may become predisposed to the invasion of Thrush or White Line Disease. When the hoof of the horse has greater weight responsibilities placed upon it in an uneven fashion it may distort.

This distortion will promote the separation of the wall from the sole and allow for bacterial / fungal invasion. I recently had an opportunity to speak with a number of farriers on the topic of “Hoof wall separation.” While this conversation was taking place, imbalance and distortion were discussed as a cause of the wall separations that harbor tremendous bacterial / fungal invasions.”

We took the same question to Dave Giza, another professional farrier, and asked him about his experience with imbalanced hooves.

“When I trim and shoe a horse, I always pay very close attention to the placement/balance of the heels, how deep the cleft split of the frogs are (the groove/split that starts in the back of the central sulcus of the frog that transitions up the back of the heels and between the heel bulbs), and to the movement of the heel bulbs themselves.

If a horse has well balanced feet, with both heels contacting the ground at the same time, there will be very little independent movement of the heel bulbs, frog cleft/split will be shallow, and the horse will be sound. If the trim is out of balance, with the medial side hitting first and then the lateral side or vice versa, there will be independent heel bulb movement and separation that will cause lameness issues.

Hoof Imbalance with cleft split starting at the frog central sulcas and splitting up into the hair line.

Separation of Heel Bulbs — Insertion of narrow blade vet knife into the frog cleft to show depth and separation of heel bulbs.

If you look at the hoof from the back and visualize a triangle (the base of the triangle having points at the medial and lateral side of the hoof and the top of the triangle at the apex of the frog cleft), this will present a better picture of what is actually happening.

When the base of the triangle hits evenly on the ground, there is no movement at the top of the triangle, just compression as the bulbs move as one unit. However, if the triangle base hits the ground, one side first followed by the other, the top of the cleft will be forced to move from right to left or vice versa.

This imbalance will cause tearing and or shearing of the soft tissues between the heels, and deep heel splits that cause the heel bulbs to gap open and allow debris to enter into the cleft gap. Now the stage has been set for infected/swollen sheared heels. The debris that is lodged deep into the frog cleft becomes Thrush, the constant independent movement of each heel bulb and shearing causes the heel bulbs to become irritated and swell closed, the developing thrush is entrapped, and the result is a very sore heeled, lame horse.”

Dave Giza’s Recent Client

Balanced Trim — Balanced trim with infected central sulcas and frog cleft.

“I recently drove 700 miles to treat a horse named Cody diagnosed with equine Canker; however, Cody was misdiagnosed and rather suffered from infected, sheared heels. Without a doubt, Cody’s issues were caused by improper trimming.

Upon examination, I found that the heels of each hoof were out of balance, causing heel bulb displacement with deep frog clefts penetrating up into the hairline and entrapping infection. The infection not only compromised the heel bulbs, but had also started to compromise each frog. I trimmed, balanced, thoroughly cleaned and treated each sheared/split heel on Cody’s hooves.”

Farrier Conclusion

Both farriers agree, balanced hooves are important to hoof health. As a farrier, it is extremely important to properly trim and balance each hoof. If this is not done correctly, more issues can arise and create further problems for you down the road. Horse owners must also pay close attention to this detail and do their part in picking and cleaning the feet on a regular basis. If you believe your horse’s hooves are imbalanced, do not be afraid to bring it up to your farrier or to seek the opinion of another farrier or veterinarian. If your horse’s hooves were trimmed improperly, it is important to have this fixed as soon as possible. A hoof supplement combined with a safe anti-microbial hoof clay and liquid will help the hooves recover from cracks, splits or other hoof related issues that arise from the hoof imbalance. Using a hoof supplement will also promote the health of the hoof and increase its growth rate.

A special thanks to:

Darren Owen, CF, APF
Indian Fields Farrier Service Inc.
Phone: (757) 478-1399
Email: indianfields@msn.com

Dave Giza, APF-1
Genesis Farriers
Phone: (571) 921-5822
E-mail: GenesisFarriers@aol.com

January 11, 2018July 19, 2021

Hoof Care Doesn’t Stop in the Winter.

Winter is in full force and Jack Frost is blanketing many of our pastures with snow, freezing rain, and ice. Many of us are now concentrated on keeping our horses healthy, while maintaining body condition through this cold spell. We all have different routines we practice to keep our beloved horses as comfortable as possible during these months. We can debate all day between blankets VS a horse’s natural coat, or even more barn time VS more pasture time – but the one thing we cannot argue about is that proper hoof care doesn’t stop in the winter. Providing a balanced diet, staying on top of any hoof problems caused by the environment, and routine farrier work is a year-round effort.

How Winter Affects the Hoof

It doesn’t take an expert to see that any amount of snow is going to leave our pastures wet and muddy, and as we have discussed in previous articles, wet and muddy conditions can create the perfect environment for “hoof eating” microbes to thrive. Prolonged exposure to water can soften the hoof capsule, leading to stretching and separation of the white line area. Regardless of how much pasture time you are allocating to your horse during the winter, ensure to properly clean and dry the hooves before moving your horse back into the barn.

Even if your horse is not spending a lot of time out in the cold environment, it is still important to regularly clean your horse’s hooves. Some horse owner’s may choose to restrict pasture time due to the freezing weather. Extended periods of time in a stall might keep your horse warmer, but this confinement can create hoof problems as well. While stalled, your horse will be standing in its own waste. This exposes the hooves to different bacteria that will affect the health of the hooves. Regularly cleaning your horse’s hooves and maintaining a clean environment for your horse can help prevent problems, but issues such as Thrush or White Line Disease can develop if left unchecked.

Hoof Maintenance in the Winter

Farrier Applying Hoof Topical for Thrush

Even with regular cleaning, sometimes you may need a little extra help maintaining the health of your horse’s hooves. Regularly feeding a quality hoof supplement, such as Farrier’s Formula®, will provide the nutrients your horse needs to promote stronger and healthier hooves. These stronger hooves will be more resilient to problems such as White Line Disease and will help prevent the softening of the hoof capsule. Using non-caustic antimicrobials, like Farrier’s Finish® and Life Data® Hoof Clay®, may be applied after cleanings to help fight and kill any “hoof-eating” microbes. These products will also help maintain hoof quality, and are non-caustic to you and your horse. We also recommended talking with your farrier and veterinarian to create a plan to properly care and maintain your horse’s hooves. Regular farrier and veterinarian visits are always recommended. Farrier visits should not be eliminated because of the winter season.

If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 1-800-624-1873 or e-mail us at cservice@lifedatalabs.com.