“I have been struggling with my mare since late March 2025. We stopped riding her because she very politely refused to work, something very unusual for her! She started to show lameness in the right front hoof. Due to her history of laminitis, I called the vet out, and our joint decision was to monitor her and see how things progressed.
She began to improve over the next couple of weeks. However, towards the end of May, she became very lame on the left front hoof and was not weight-bearing on this leg/hoof. The vet visited for a re-examination. Blood tests were taken, and front x-rays were also done to check for any pedal bone rotation. The results were normal, and there were no visible changes on the position of the pedal bone on the X-rays. We removed her shoes to see if that would help her feel more comfortable.
A hoof crack appeared on the left front hoof, on the inside, coming diagonally down from the coronary band. My farrier thought it was probably due to infection. However, there was no discharge or any sign of an abscess. He then came and fitted wide aluminum heart bars shoes to stabilize the foot. My veterinarian found the crack unusual and thought that it might be caused by stress within the hoof.
Her pain and lameness significantly improved after the shoeing. However, I was concerned that movement would cause the crack to propagate with the added risk of losing the shoe …with half her hoof going with it!
A good friend and trainer recommended that I seek advice from Life Data Labs, the manufacturers of Farrier’s Formula. She was fantastic and recommended Farrier’s Formula Double Strength and daily applications of Farrier’s Finish. I also made alterations to the diet to ensure she had all the nutrition to support healthy hoof growth, but with a reduction in her calorie intake.
We went from a UK full-fiber feed recommended as suitable for laminitis-prone horses/ponies to a small amount of straw-based chaff with no additives alongside the Farrier’s Formula.
The hoof has grown remarkably well, and the crack has stabilized without further expansion. We are still wearing heart-bar shoes to help support the foot.
Most importantly, I have a sound horse that physically looks the best she has done in ages, all thanks to Life Data and Farriers Formula.”
– Cathy B.