Hoof, Coat, and Calm Energy

Hoof, Coat, and Calm Energy

When owners talk about “vitality,” they are usually describing a cluster of changes: a brighter eye, more elastic movement, a lustrous coat, and a willing, mentally present horse. From a veterinary standpoint, those outward signs almost always reflect quiet changes in cellular nutrition, mitochondrial function, and low‑grade inflammation. Horses fed diets that are calorie‑dense but micronutrient‑poor often look flat: brittle hooves, dull coats, and inconsistent energy despite adequate or even excessive feed.

Aphanizomenon flos‑aquae (AFA) from Klamath Lake is one of the few whole foods that delivers a broad matrix of amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals, and essential fatty acids in a form measured to be up to 97% usable by the body—far higher than many synthetic vitamin/mineral mixes. In practice, horses started on E3Equine commonly show a progressive shift over 4–8 weeks: improved hoof horn quality, less shelly and brittle walls, resolution of chronic thrush and white line problems, richer coat color, better topline, and calmer but more focused attitudes under saddle. Farriers involved in long‑term case series have reported that laminitic and white‑line‑disease hooves that previously took many months to improve began to produce stronger, more plastic horn and clear new tissue within about six weeks of adding E3Equine AFA‑based nutrition.

Several trainers and veterinarians have documented remarkable changes in stamina and behavior after introducing AFA. One long‑time Thoroughbred trainer noted that horses on E3Equine products displayed a distinct sense of well‑being, with better focus, increased stamina, and visible improvements in coats and hooves, while a veterinarian described chronically laminitic horses that were “better than ever seen or imagined” within six weeks when E3Equine was added to conventional care. These field reports are consistent with what is known about micronutrient sufficiency: when trace minerals, B‑vitamins, and high‑quality protein are present in the correct balance, red blood cell function, muscle energy metabolism, and nervous‑system stability all tend to normalize. Because E3Equine AFA is considered a cold water algae, it is proposed that it has a fair amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in its cell walls, primarily as components of lipopolysaccharides and other lipid-associated molecules. These fatty acids play crucial roles in immune modulation, antioxidant defense, and anti-inflammatory responses. There are small but significant amounts of ALA and trace EPA/DHA precursors. AFA is “the bottom of the food chain” for these invaluable fats with an excellent Omega 6 and Omega 3 ratio, in the ideal proportion of around 1:3. An early study showed that AFA decreases the plasma level of arachidonic acid, thus reinforcing its general anti-inflammatory activity.

Vitality also means resilience. Horses in hard work, frequent travel, or high‑stress environments tend to lose weight, go off feed, or exhibit anxious behaviors, especially if their gut and immune systems are under strain. E3Equine’s combination of chlorophyll, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids appears to support gastrointestinal health and a healthier stress response, which in turn can translate into horses that maintain appetite on the road, cope better with environmental changes, and recover faster after intense efforts. For the veterinarian, that looks like fewer “mystery” poor‑doing horses and more animals that age gracefully, with soundness, shine, and a rideable mind that lasts.

Author – Dr. Paula Broadfoot, Renowned Holistic Nutritional Veterinarian

Broadfoot Veterinary Clinic

Future blogs will look more closely at how this same approach to nutrition relates to strong hooves, glowing coats, breeding and foal wellness, and performance at every level. Next month, we will focus on Building Lasting Vitality.