Just what is a Hair Mineral Analysis?

Hair mineral analysis is more than a test for minerals. From a small sample of your horse’s hair, we can learn about your horse’s metabolic rate, stage of stress, immune system, and adrenal and thyroid glandular activity. It also gives accurate information about carbohydrate tolerance, energy levels and tendencies for over 30 illnesses, often years before they are manifest. We can also tell if your horse is getting enough protein or too many carbohydrates.

A hair analysis can also identify personality tendencies in your horse and how he handles stress and his stress level. It can tell if your horse is prone to anxiety, mood swings, aggression and spookiness.

Trainers can use hair mineral analysis to help distinguish which symptoms or behaviors are due to biochemistry, and which are of emotional origin. Balancing and strengthening your horse’s body chemistry can also enhance the effectiveness of his training.

Breeders can use hair analysis to screen all brood mares for nutritional deficiencies and toxic metals. Toxic metal poisoning is often passed on from mother to baby. Hair analysis can be used to help remove toxic metals in the brood mares’ body before they are passed on to the next generation. This would reduce birth defects and foal mortality, and assure easier pregnancies and healthier foals.

Veterinarians can use hair analysis as a predictive and preventive health care method. The chemical imbalances related to many conditions often develop years before the symptoms show up. Correcting the imbalances may prevent the disease altogether. order a hair mineral analysis here

Hair testing is one of very few ways to obtain a permanent, reproducible, graphic record of deep changes in body chemistry.

How is all this possible from your horse’s hair?

It is possible because minerals are involved in all body functions. The chemical elements are the basic building blocks of our bodies.

Even more telling are the ratios between minerals. Ratios represent relationships and balances in the body. Using hair analysis to assess balances and relationships provides information about every body system.

Why use your horse’s hair?

Your horse’s hair is classified as a soft tissue of the body. Hair analysis is a soft tissue mineral biopsy. A biopsy is an analysis of a body tissue, in this case to detect mineral levels. Hair analysis provides a reading of the mineral deposition in the cells and interstitial spaces of the hair over a 2-3 month period. Hair analysis is used as a screening test.

Your horse’s hair makes an excellent biopsy material because:

• Sampling is simple and non-invasive.
   
• Hair is a stable biopsy material. It needs no special handling and remains viable for years.
   
• Mineral levels in the hair about 10 times that of blood, making them easy to detect in the hair.
   
• Advancements in technology have considered hair mineral analysis: cost effective, accurate, reliable.

Your horse’s hair can help identify nutritional and biochemical imbalances:

• Hair provides a unique cellular reading of the mineral levels. 
   
• The cells, not the blood or urine, are the major site of metabolic activity.
   
• Hair analysis is one of the few ways to detect toxic metals. 
   
• Toxic metals concentrate in the soft tissues, not in the blood or urine. 
   
• Heavy metal toxicity is an important, but less known problem that is often ignored in medicine.
   
• Hair analysis can show the amount of inflammatory stress that the horse’s body is experiencing.
   
• Hair analysis can provide an assessment of your horse’s stage of stress and oxidation rate.
   
• Hair analysis is and indicator of glandular activity, liver and kidney function, sugar and carbohydrate intolerance.
   
• Hair analysis can show tendencies for over 30 common health conditions.
   
• Hair analysis can indicate conditions such as anxiety, mood swings, nervousness and spookiness.
   
• Hair analysis can provide energetic analysis of your horse’s body. Energy is important to the body when healing itself.
   
• Hair analysis takes the guesswork out of recommending supplements.
   
• Hair analysis helps monitor progress of your horse. 
   
• Changes in body chemistry for any reason are reflected on the hair test.

Lab Analysis Procedure

The analysis method used is inductively-coupled plasma (ICP). The hair is dissolved and the sample is burned at a high temperature. Each mineral gives off a characteristic spectrum or frequencies of light which is picked up by sensitive detectors in the measuring instrument. order a hair mineral analysis here

 Minerals that are measured include:

• Macro minerals –
  (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur and phosphorus.)
   
• Trace minerals –
  (copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, iron, boron, selenium, molybdenum, silicon, lithium, cobalt, strontium and vanadium.)
   
• Toxic minerals –
  (lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminum, nickel, beryllium and arsenic.)

Creditability of Hair Mineral Analysis

Hundreds of papers have been published on the subject of tissue mineral testing. Mineral analysis is a standard testing method used at laboratories and universities around the world.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency published a 300 page study in August 1979. The agency reviewed over 400 medical reports on hair testing. They concluded that hair is a “meaningful and representative tissue for biological monitoring for most of the toxic metals”.

Very few veterinarians are trained in the detection methods such as the hair mineral analysis. Our Lab and nutritionists have clinical experience working on over 10,000 horses with combined experience of over 20 years.

Normal Values of Hair Mineral Analysis
The normal values used in mineral analysis are derived the same way normal values are derived for blood tests. Large numbers of tests are run on healthy horses to determine the normal ranges. Ideal ratios are most important for the interpretation of the test.

Percentage changes in mineral values have great significance. An improvement in a reading from 10 mg% to 20 mg% is a 100% improvement! Twenty mg% is still a low calcium reading, but the change can make a crucial difference in the way a horse feels. Similarly, an increase in the calcium/magnesium ratio from 4:1 to 6:1 may not appear large, but is a 50% improvement. This can cause significant change in horses’ symptoms.order a hair mineral analysis here

Interpretation of a Hair Analysis
There are twelve interpretation principles used when reading a hair analysis test:

• Systems principle
  (all the hair mineral readings are inter-dependent and part of a mineral system.)
   
• Holism principle
  (a hair analysis not only represents dietary intake, but is a reflection of all aspects of a horses’ past and present diet, life stage, activity and training as they affect body chemistry.)
   
• Adaptation principle
  (the hair analysis reveals how the body is adapting to and compensating for stress.)
   
• Oxidation types
  (it is helpful to identify fast, slow and mixed oxidation types as this guides nutritional therapy.)
   
• Stage of stress
  (alarm, resistance and exhaustion stages of stress can be identified from a hair analysis.) Knowing the stage of stress provides extra information about the horses’ body chemistry that assists interpretation and correction.
   
• Energetics
  (to assess energy levels by assessing glucose tolerance, oxidation rate and the energy pathways.)
   
• Layers of adaptation
  (a single hair analysis represents the ‘top layer’ of adaptation present. Retests reveal deeper layers of adaptation, as the surface adaptations are cleared.)
   
• Tissue biopsy
  (a hair analysis is a biopsy type of reading of the cells and interstitial spaces of the hair.)
   
• Averaging
  (the readings reflect the average rate of deposition of minerals in the hair during the sampling period.)
   
• Bio-availability
  (a mineral may be present but not available for use.) 
   
• Ratios
  (mineral ratios are as important as or more important than the mineral levels on a hair analysis.)
   
• Summation
  (each hair reading represents a sum of metabolic events)
  
  Hair Analysis and Diet

The use of a hair analysis can be used to balance and normalize your horses’ body chemistry. This can be accomplished by dietary recommendations and supplementary nutrients.

Hair analysis is an excellent way to guide dietary recommendations and to help assess how a horse is metabolizing food. A diet may appear to be correct, but it is often difficult to know if your horse is getting the correct amounts of nutrients. Hair analysis and ration analysis can help provide that feedback.

Hair analysis and ration analysis helps reduce the guesswork involved in designing a diet and supplement program for your horse. Hair analysis allows supplement programs to be based on a deeper understanding of biochemical causes of ill health. order a hair mineral analysis here

Hair Analysis and Custom Horse Supplements

Reasons why supplements are necessary now for your horse are:
 

• Your horses’ diet alone does not meet the  requirements for horses. 
  (You can take our free test and find out for sure right now.)
   
• Your horses’ feed is grown on de-mineralized and worn out soil and has next to nothing for nutritional value. 
  (When was the last time your pasture was fertilized to meet proper nutrient standards?)
   
• Refining and processing of your horses’ feed removes nutrients. 
  (Over heating is common in manufacturing and destroys nutrients.)
   
• Medications can drain and deplete the body’s store of essential nutrients.
   
• Manufacturers of commercial feed often add chemicals to increase production that are toxic to your horse. 
  (Anti-caking agents are used to prevent build up in the processing machines but are made with toxic metals that you feed your horse and don’t even know it.)
   
• Improper diet and supplementation can result in mineral excesses and deficiencies. 
  (Too high or too low can be dangerous)
   
• Actual absorption of nutrients may be inadequate due to low levels of available digestive enzymes in your horses’ stomach. 
  (With out the proper enzymes, proper digestion doesn’t happen.)
   
• Stressors from air and water pollution (acid rain or toxic metals) often increase the need for certain nutrients for your horse. 
  (Horses can be more sensitive to environmental pollution than people and specific nutrients are critical for them to stay healthy.)
   
• It’s not unusual to find elevated levels toxic levels of aluminum, cadmium, lead, arsenic and beryllium in areas that were once considered rural. Most people can accept these dangers in larger metropolitan areas but have a tough time believing their horses could be exposed. 
  (Fact is pollutants are now being found in the North and South Pole.)
   
• Physical emotional stress can suck out certain minerals while acting as a barrier to prevent absorption of necessary nutrients.
   
• Your horse may even have an inherent predisposition to these mineral imbalances. 
  (It’s not uncommon to see these imbalances passed from mare to foal.)
   
• Certain life stages have increased nutritional needs. Doesn’t it make sense that ... Growing Foal, Maintenance Horse, Performance Horse, Breeding Stallion, Lactating Mare, Pregnant Mare, and Senior Horse all have different nutritional requirements?
  
  The above form a powerful rationale for the use of nutritional horse supplements.

Supplements used to balance your horse’s body chemistry may include multiple-vitamins and mineral products, individual vitamins and minerals, digestive aids, glandular supplements, and specialty supplements (antioxidants, immune builders, herbs). order a hair mineral analysis here

A custom horse supplement in a equine nutritional therapy program can consist of multi-vitamins and minerals suited to your horse’s metabolism type and/or life stage:

• Multiple vitamins and mineral supplements provide a small quantity of all the basic nutrients. (Often a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended according to your horse’s metabolic type.) 
   
• Additional chelated minerals and vitamins are recommended to balance specific levels and ratios, alter the mineral balance, as well as to correct deficiencies and help eliminate toxic metals.
   
• Individual vitamins in extra quantities are given to balance mineral levels and ratios
  (This critical balance enhances energy production and helps eliminate toxic metals.)
   
• One or more digestive aids. Digestive aids are helpful to slow metabolizes. They tend to have low levels of digestive enzymes.
  (Acidophilus, herbs and other supplements for the digestive system may be recommended based on symptoms.)
   
• Glandular suited to the metabolism type or to aid in elimination or other functions. 
  (The use of these supplements is based on symptoms and help in stress recovery.)
   
• One or more specialty supplements based on your horse’s hair analysis or symptoms.
  (Specialty products maybe recommended which do not fit into any of the other categories.) 
   
• Herbs can provide minerals, vitamins and other compounds to support body function. 
  (Some herbs can be taken over a long period of time and others should only be taken when needed.)
   
• Antioxidants and immune builders support your horse through detoxification and help to strengthen your horse’s own body defenses.

Equine nutritional therapy using hair analysis, ration analysis and custom supplements may be thought of as a method to re-pattern cellular activity.

The repeated doses of the supplements gently push the body chemistry in certain ways. By holding the body chemistry in a balanced position, energy levels rise. This in turn allows deeper healing to occur such as elimination of toxic metals. Eventually the supplement program can be reduced as the improvements become permanent.

Correction Steps for an Imbalanced Hair Analysis

Balancing the critical mineral ratios and the oxidation rate are the primary steps in the correction of body chemistry. Correction must be done in the order described for maximum effect.

• Balance key mineral ratios
  (Na/K, Ca/K, Na/Mg, Ca/Mg, Ca/P, Zn/Cu, Fe/Cu)
   
• Eliminate toxic metals
  (As, Be, Hg, Pb, Al, Ni)
   
• Balance individual mineral reserves
  (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn, P, Fe, Mn, Cr, Se, B, Co, Mo, S, Sr, Li)

Retracing and healing reactions

As your horse’s energy levels improve with a equine nutritional therapy program, certain reactions occur. These reactions are called retracing or healing reactions. The concept of healing reactions is well known in other healing practices such as homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic. order a hair mineral analysis here

Knowledge of healing reactions is essential for a complete understanding of nutritional therapy programs. Otherwise, a corrective action by your horse’s body may be mistaken for a disease process. As energy and vitality levels increase in your horse, the types of reactions that occur are:

  Completion Reactions
Chronic conditions such as infections may pass through an acute phase, as they are resolved in your horse. Your horse’s body is completing an effort, which it previously was unable to carry to a resolution. Old scars, wounds and other old conditions can temporarily flare up, itch, ache or swell as the healing process takes place in your horse. Usually the reaction lasts only a day or two, and then subsides. A serious chronic infection, however, can take a few weeks to resolve.

  Decompensation Reactions
This type of reaction is a change in glandular function, metabolic rate or some other parameter of metabolism. Intestinal action may temporarily increase or decrease in your horse. Digestion may become sluggish for a few days in your horse. Your horse may require extra rest or experience a period of heightened energy.

  Elimination Reactions
Toxic metals, stored drugs or chemicals, or metabolic waste products may be eliminated. As they leave tissue storage sites, they circulate in the blood on their way toward final elimination from your horse’s body. This can cause symptoms. For example some of the symptoms are lethargy, depression, irritability, aggressiveness, swelling, pain in the bones and joints. If your horse’s body releases a stored substance he may re-experience the effects of the substance.

Handling healing reactions

In general, healing reactions are rapid, benign and require little more than reassurance and rest for your horse. Your horse’s body will not commence a reaction unless it is able to see it through. The main objective is to allow the reaction to proceed with as little interference as possible. These reactions are good signs, indicating an increase in energy and an acute healing process. Basic measures during a healing reaction are:

• Have your horse rest as much as possible. 
  (You don’t want to place more strain on your horse’s body than necessary.)
   
• Use care in discussing your horse’s reactions with other practitioners who are not familiar with them. 
  (Reactions can be misinterpreted as illnesses and medication can complicate the reaction.)
   
• Detoxification procedures may be helpful.
  (Other natural therapies that balance the body can be helpful, such as acupuncture, chiropractic and electro-medicine.)

Healing reaction versus a disease reaction in your horse

Not all symptoms are healing reactions. order a hair mineral analysis here It is critical to distinguish if your horse getting better or just feeling worse. Always as the following key questions about a reaction:

• Was your horse following the diet and supplement program suggested? If so, it is more likely a healing reaction. It is important that the program be followed correctly.
   
• Was your horse feeling better just before the reaction occurred? If so, it is more likely to be a healing reaction. Energy levels often increase before a healing reaction.
   
• Has the symptom occurred in the past, or is it a very unusual symptom for your horse? Retracing often involves old symptoms. If a symptom has occurred in the past, and a balancing program is being followed, it may well be a retracing of an incomplete healed event.

Follow-up and retest

When your horse begins a nutrition program, we will follow-up with you by mail every month concerning your horse’s condition. If you have questions or concerns during your horse’s nutrition program you can call or e-mail us.

A retest will usually take place in nine to twelve months depending on your horse’s metabolic type. If your horse is a fast metabolic type he will have a retest in nine months. If your horse is a slow metabolic type he will have a retest in twelve months. 

After retesting an entirely different pattern will show up on your horse’s hair analysis test. As one set of patterns is corrected, underlying imbalances are revealed. By peeling off the layers of adaptation, deep correction occurs. So as the new pattern emerges your horse’s custom supplement will also change according to his body chemistry. 

Eventually when you’re your horse’s body chemistry is balanced and he is well, your horse will be given a maintenance supplement. With a maintenance supplement there is less to give to your horse and it is less expensive.

Commitment to a equine nutritional therapy program

Commitment is a big part of a nutritional balancing program for it to be successful. To rebuild and balance your horse’s body chemistry many times requires nine months or longer on a program. The actual time required is hard to estimate that’s why we retest your horse. Factors that influence the time needed for correction of mineral imbalances may include any of the following:

• The state of your horse’s body chemistry.
   
• The nature of your horse’s health condition.
   
• The length of time a condition has been present in your horse.
   
• Stress levels on your horse.
   
• Your faithfulness in having your horse follow the diet and supplements recommended.
   

When you get your horses body chemistry analyzed you get the following:

• A complete nutritional analysis and ration plan.
  (Designed based on your horse.)
   
• Equus-RX custom supplement recommendation designed for your horse.
  (Developed under the strict guidelines of the Federal Drug Administration 1900.)
   
• Hotline access to our support staff when and if you have questions or need special help with your horse. (Special emergency access for clients only.)
   
• Access to Horsemomsblog.com
  (Includes horse health and well being articles, feed back from other horse owners that are participating in the program, book reviews, case studies and other information designed to help you help your horse.)
   
• A journal to keep track of your horses progress, heath, condition, shows, events, and there’s more ....
   
• one year calendar showing when to reorder your horse’s supplements
  (It makes it easy to stay on track.)
   
• tracks when to have another ration analysis done
   
• blank calendar days to add in important events and a blank note section.
  (You can keep on track with your horses progress.)
   
• charts to keep track of your horse’s vaccination history, de-worming history, dental checkups, hoof care, medical history, reproductive history and feeding chart to track changes to your horse’s diet. 
   
• Easy reference material concerning your horse’s health; life stage chart, nutrient requirements, conditioning chart, vaccination schedule, and worming schedule with a list of wormers.
   
• 9 Month Success Plaque with your horses picture. Sponsored by
  horse-memories.com ( After completing his custom supplement program, a $100.00 value.)

We develop a relationship with you and your horse so you can take advantage of our nutritional balancing expertise and learn about the process your horse goes through as he makes positive changes toward balancing his body chemistry.

So if you’re ready to do something positive for your horse and give the program, hair analysis, ration analysis and custom supplement a try ... order a hair mineral analysis here