HoofXtra (formally Laminitis Rescue)

HoofXtra mix (formerly known as Laminitis Rescue) is a nutritional mineral supplement with copper and zinc, magnesium, selenium, the B vitamins biotin, pyridoxine and folic acid and a small amount of calcium and phosphorus to help maintain optimal hoof, coat, hair and immune system health. Formulated to provide the most commonly deficient minerals – copper and zinc based on thousands of pasture and hay laboratory tests. HoofXtra is a highly bioavailable mineral mix containing proven premium mineral and vitamin sources based on equine research.

2 sizes

Small: net weight = 2.9 kg – will last just under 6 months based on the standard feeding rate for one horse.
Large: net weight = 4.9 kg – will last 9.7 months for one horse based on the standard feeding rate – economical pack.

The standard feeding rate is 17 grams or a 1.2 metric tablespoon (slightly heaped tablespoon, best to weigh). For ponies under 300 kg, 1/2 tablespoon.

Elemental mineral/vitamin

Per *standard* feeding rate Per kg

Copper 300 mg 18014 mg
Zinc 900 mg 54042 mg
Selenium 1 mg 60 mg
Magnesium 6 grams 342 g
Biotin vitamin B7 20 mg 1201 mg
Pyridoxine vitamin B6 200 mg 12009 mg
Folic acid vitamin B9 20 mg 1201 mg

It was back in 2007 that Emeritus Professor Chris Pollitt at The University of Queensland and his team (Asplin KE, Sillence MN and McGowan CM) showed that elevated blood levels of insulin (hyperinsulinaemia) is a major risk factor for laminitis. Laminitis caused by elevated levels of insulin is considered the most common dietary form. Insulin controls glucose metabolism. Insulin resistance, IR, also included as part of EMS is a state where the tissues show a reduced sensitivity to insulin resulting in an overproduction of insulin.

More recently gut hormones called incretins (GLP-1 and GIP) are theorised to be a possible cause of high insulin levels but this isn’t proven yet. Incretins are produced in the intestine to enhance insulin release for the purpose of stabilising blood glucose levels.

To prevent laminitis caused by elevated insulin regardless of mechanism, the key is a intake low in sugar and starch as it’s these carbohydrates that trigger the release of insulin from the pancreas.

HoofXtra mix is not a therapy or cure for laminitis. Nothing can substitute for a low sugar + starch, low fat diet as recommended by specialist vets including Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD. It is a nutritional mineral and vitamin supplement that includes the B vitamin biotin, known to move nutrients into cells without insulin involved in other species (insulin signalling) and both pyridoxine and folic acid which may assist with nitric oxide production for blood circulation, in particular perfusion in the hooves, at levels recommended by Dr Kellon VMD.

Copper: has a role in coat colour, iron metabolism, bone development, hoof quality and maintenance of elastic connective tissue.

Zinc: has a role in general growth and metabolism, required for normal bone and cartilage development, involved in maintaining the integrity of skin and mucous membranes, hair and hooves and in wound healing and has a role in maintaining a normal healthy coat. Essential for interactions between proteins and a variety of enzymes that all metabolically active cells require for cell multiplication and maturation. Zinc is a key component of ‘zinc finger proteins’ in the assembly of keratin, a hoof building material. A zinc deficiency can be expressed as slow hoof growth, thin walls and weak connections and horn.

Copper and zinc prevent the fats and oils in the protective seal on the hoof from oxidising. Oxidative damage causes over drying and weakens the connections between cells. When the hoof is weak, it is more vulnerable to attack by organisms via microscopic cracks. In cattle, deficiencies in either copper or zinc have been linked to soft feet, cracks, abscesses, thrush and laminitis.

Magnesium: The symptoms of a magnesium deficiency are the same as for excessive ionised calcium compared to magnesium. Symptoms include twitching, irritability, and hypersensitivity. Magnesium has many different jobs to do in the body and one of the most important is to control ‘excitable’ tissue activity, including the nervous system, heart, skeletal muscle and smooth muscle in the intestinal tract, uterus, urinary tract and blood vessels.

Selenium: Selenium is an important antioxidant for protecting cell structures and cell membranes from the effects of oxygen free radicals produced during energy generation and therefore most important for tissues with high aerobic metabolism activity like the brain/nervous system, heart, skeletal muscles and rapidly growing tissues. Acidic soils inhibit selenium uptake by plants. Alkaline soils are more likely to have adequate selenium levels though horses in work may need supplementation. A soil test will test pH, the lower the pH number the higher the acidity, 7 is neutral and the higher the number the more alkaline the soil.

The standard feeding rate contains 1 mg selenium. Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD recommends selenium. If you are concerned about overdoing selenium, this article about Selenium Paranoia may help.

This product is contraindicated for use when selenium intake from pasture is high or selenium is provided by other means (such as top dressing, vaccine, pellets or selenium drenches) if blood selenium levels at treatment are high. Users can determine selenium status by consulting their veterinarian.

Biotin: Has a role in general metabolism and in maintaining integrity of skin, hair and hooves.

Pyridoxine: Has a role in normal general metabolism, nervous system function and vision, involved in red blood cell formation and in maintaining normal healthy skin and vision.

Folic acid: Involved in general metabolism, in blood cell production and the formation of red and white blood cells and haemoglobin.

If needing iodine, feed iodised salt. 1 tablespoon of iodised salt contains 1 mg iodine. For an untested situation, feed at least 2 tablespoons of salt per day.

Safe for laminitic prone or insulin resistant (IR)/elevated insulin horses.
HoofXtra can be fed with Mov-Ease, Diamond V XPC and Mycosorb A+, and can be fed in addition to Best Guess mix if needing higher copper, zinc levels but don’t need higher level of magnesium, selenium and the B vitamins.

HoofXtra mix is a nutritional supplement product for inclusion in horse’s feed. Product has no therapeutic effect and is designed to be administered in a feed for voluntary ingestion for horses.
Animal consumption only.