Formula⁴ Feet:
the hoof supplement everyone is talking about.

Equi Life Ltd, the distribution arm of The Laminitis Clinic, has launched a ‘New Generation’ equine hoof supplement, Formula⁴ Feet, providing unique benefits for both horses with poor hoof horn quality, cracked hooves, weak heels and those at risk of laminitis.

Robert Eustace FRCVS, Director of the Laminitis Clinic, developed Formula⁴ Feet in collaboration with Dr. David Frape, the country’s leading equine nutritionist. Mr Eustace is increasingly disturbed by the insidious increase in GM ingredients in horse feeds. He takes the view that the consequences of feeding GM ingredients are unknown and that until extensive research is undertaken, to prove safety both to animals and the environment, it is prudent to avoid such materials.

The nutrition for hooves provided by Formula⁴ Feet leads to obvious improvements in hoof horn quality.

1. Formula⁴ Feet is the first non-GM hoof supplement to be made anywhere in the world. It is manufactured in the UK in a drug free, UFAS approved facility complying to ISO 9001 standards.

2. Formula⁴ Feet has gained approval by the Vegetarian Society due to there being no ingredients of animal or molluscan origin and to the ethical production and development policies which Equi Life employs.

3. Each batch of Formula⁴ Feet is tested free of substances listed in the Common Feed Contaminants Screen, before it is offered for sale. Products including these substances would result in a positive dope test under FEI and Jockey Club rules. Testing is performed at the world’s leading equine forensic laboratory.

4. Formula⁴ Feet has been subjected to independent research at the University of Berlin, the world renowned keratin institute.

5. Formula⁴ Feet provides over 65 micronutrients, in a highly palatable pellet. These include multivitamins, 10, 18 amino acids, 16 minerals, 4 antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, including omega 3's. Due to it’s comprehensive formulation Formula⁴ Feet is an excellent general supplement to help keep your horse in tip top health.

6. Formula⁴ Feet provides a daily dose of 20mg biotin for a 450 kg horse. Most studies on the effects on hoof horn following supplementation with biotin, indicate that 20mg daily is necessary to achieve consistent improvement.

7. Formula⁴ Feet provides over 3 grammes of calcium per day balanced with magnesium and phosphorus. Calcium has been shown to be important in inter-squame attachment in hoof horn.

8. Formula⁴ Feet provides zinc as both organic and inorganic forms, providing optimal availability, yet allowing the horse to retain intestinal selectivity during absorption. Zinc is important for correct hoof horn growth; deficiency results in parakeratosis.

9. Formula⁴ Feet contains methionine, an important natural sulphur containing amino acid. Methionine is necessary to provide the building blocks of strong hoof horn.

10. Formula⁴ Feet provides generous amounts of phospholipids, from natural ingredients. Phospholipids are essential dietary components for incorporation into all cell membranes. This function is vital throughout the body, not only in the hoof, where phospholipids are intimately involved in keeping the horn free from infections and maintaining a normal water balance.

11. Formula⁴ Feet contains no cereals and no added selenium. Cereals are high in soluble carbohydrates and are not recommended for laminitis cases. Excessive selenium is thought to contribute to hoof horn infections and can be toxic if over supplemented. Selenium toxicosis causes poor horn development with a dry scaly appearance to the hoof and if given in greater amounts can lead to the horse shedding its hooves or even death.

12. Formula⁴ Feet contains Vitamin A which is important for a healthy epithelium. The hoof, coat, mane and tail are all part of the epithelium.

13. One of the main causes of laminitis is obesity, leading to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Research at the Laminitis Clinic indicates that obesity and insulin resistance may be a forerunner of Cushing’s disease. Formula⁴ Feet is a revolutionary new formulation which provides nutritional support against these syndromes, helping to keep your horse healthy. Formula⁴ Feet should be used in combination with a low calorie, high fibre diet to help prevent laminitis.

14. Formula⁴ Feet contains the amino acids lysine and threonine. Lysine and Threonine are the two most important rate limiting amino acids, if they are in short supply, protein and energy metabolism is inhibited, preventing your horse from getting all the goodness from his food.

15. Formula⁴ Feet contains optimal levels of antioxidants including heat stable Vitamin C, Vitamin E, copper and BHT. Antioxidants not only help keep Formula⁴ Feet in fresh condition but, when assimilated, act to prevent free radical damage to cells and cell membranes.

16. Formula⁴ Feet contains omega 3 fatty acids, which by their competitive metabolism, during the desaturation of n-6 fatty acids to the inflammatory eicosanoids, gives Formula⁴ Feet anti-inflammatory properties.

17. Formula⁴ Feet contains the amino acid arginine, which is the precursor for the formation of nitric oxide in the tissue circulation. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator i.e. causes the blood vessels to widen, which encourages greater blood flow and tissue perfusion. Laminitis is thought to involve vasoconstriction and ischaemia (lack of blood flow to the laminae) in it’s pathogenesis.

18. Formula⁴ Feet contains balanced amounts of bioavailable magnesium. Deficiency may be associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, both of which are commonly associated with laminitis. Experience at the Laminitis Clinic has shown that laminitis cases often show abnormal magnesium balances in blood and urine samples.

19. Formula⁴ Feet contains Riboflavin which is important for efficient energy metabolism and healthy skeletal muscles. Elevated serum concentrations of CPK, an indicator of skeletal muscle damage, are commonly found in laminitis cases.

20. Formula⁴ Feet contains natural plant sources of Vanadium and Chromium. Vanadium is vital for insulin intra-cellular signalling and thus important in cases of insulin resistance and diabetes. Chromium, in combination with other ingredients in Formula⁴ Feet, is involved in the formation of glucose tolerance factor by the horse. Glucose tolerance factor has shown the potential to reduce blood glucose and free fatty acid concentrations in diabetic subjects. Glucose tolerance factor is important in combating insulin resistance and helping to prevent obesity dependent laminitis.

21. Formula⁴ Feet contains tyrosine and phenylalanine, both important precursors of the neurotransmitter dopamine which is in short supply in equine Cushing’s disease cases.

22. Formula⁴ Feet contains choline, inositol, methionine and cobalt (precursor of Vitamin B₁₂), all of which are essential for optimal liver function.

23. Formula⁴ Feet contains short chain oligosaccharides from natural ingredients. These have been shown to be important in maintaining a healthy microbial population in the horse’s hindgut. Oligosaccharides help to “bind” some species of pathogenic bacteria, further promoting intestinal health.

24. Formula⁴ Feet contains the amino acid tyrosine and the element iodine, which when combined, form thyroxine, the thyroid hormone. Adequate thyroxine is necessary for optimal energy metabolism and promotes a normal metabolic rate and a healthy hair coat.

25. Formula⁴ Feet comes in re-sealable, re-cyclable, waterproof and u/v lightproof containers.

26. Despite all the above benefits, Formula⁴ Feet represents  a significant saving on existing leading hoof and laminitis supplements e.g. a 7 kg bucket (which represents a 6 week shoeing interval supply for a 450 kg horse) has a recommended retail price of only £34.99.