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 improvement 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 20mg biotin daily 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 and skin 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 the forerunner of a more serious hormonal 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 for optimum
health; the natural way.
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, maintain the oxidative balance
in tissues.
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, maintain
a normal balance of these intermediates in the tissues.
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 the cascade of biochemical reactions which
ends as laminitis.
21. Formula4
Feet contains tyrosine and phenylalanine, both important precursors of the neurotransmitter
dopamine which is in short supply in cases of laminitis due to Cushing's disease.
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.
