Recommended by holistic veterinarians, Herbsmith Rx Carthamus Cool Hooves is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) herbal formula that moves Blood and Qi in the lower extremities to address the Blood stagnation pattern underlying laminitis in horses. In TCVM, laminitis is understood as a stagnation of Blood and Qi within the hoof capsule; this ancient seven-herb formula moves Blood out of the hoof's rigid structures to minimize damage to the sensitive laminar tissue within, clear stagnation-generated heat, and support the horse's recovery alongside conventional veterinary care. The primary cause of the Blood stagnation (retained placenta, endotoxin release, hard footing, grain overload, or other triggers) must be identified and resolved under veterinary guidance; this formula supports that process but does not replace it. Available in traditional powder (500g, 900g, 1200g) and Flax Plus (30-day and 60-day supply); a six-tablespoon scoop is included with the Flax Plus format. Dosing varies by body weight and health condition; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance. Not for use in pregnant mares. Laminitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition; this formula must be used in addition to, not as a substitute for, full veterinary care.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Blood and Qi movement in the hoof: Moves stagnant Blood and Qi out of the hoof capsule to restore smooth circulation to the laminar structures, addressing the root TCVM pattern of laminitis and supporting the body's natural recovery process alongside conventional treatment.
- Hoof heat reduction: Stagnation of any body substance generates heat, similar to the friction produced by a grinding wheel; by moving the Blood stagnation, the formula addresses the stagnation-generated heat and warmth characteristic of active laminitis episodes.
- Laminar tissue protection: Supports minimization of damage to the delicate internal structures of the hoof by improving Blood and Qi circulation through the rigid hoof capsule where normal vascular flow is mechanically restricted during laminitis episodes.
- Blood tonification alongside Blood movement: Nourishes and tonifies Blood while moving it, ensuring the formula replenishes what is depleted rather than solely breaking up stagnation, supporting healthy tissue perfusion as circulation is restored.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Move Blood and Qi stagnation in the lower extremities and hoof, tonify Blood, clear stagnation-generated heat, and support the structural integrity of the hoof's laminar tissue.
- Approach: In TCVM, smooth and even movement of Blood and Qi throughout the body is essential to health; stagnation or uneven movement causes dysfunction and discomfort. Wherever stagnation occurs, heat accumulates, much like the friction and heat of a grinding wheel. Laminitis is understood as Blood and Qi stagnation within the hoof, arising from various systemic triggers including retained placenta, endotoxin release, hard footing, and grain overload. Identify and address the primary underlying cause; this formula supports that process by moving Blood and Qi to restore circulation, clear heat, and reduce ongoing damage to the sensitive structures within the hoof capsule. Not for use in pregnant mares. Laminitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder; this formula is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, full veterinary care.
Available Forms
- 500g Traditional Powder: Mix into grain twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily until laminitis or hoof heat has resolved. If the horse is reluctant to eat herbs, begin with small amounts in grain to acquaint the horse with the taste, or consider the Flax Plus version.
- 900g Traditional Powder: Larger supply for extended treatment courses or multi-horse use.
- 1200g Traditional Powder: Bulk size for consistent administration throughout the treatment period.
- Flax Plus - 30-Day Supply: Herbal formula blended with ground flaxseed for ease of administration; six-tablespoon scoop included. Administer one scoop twice daily for the first 20 days, then one scoop daily until laminitis or hoof heat has resolved.
- Flax Plus - 60-Day Supply: Extended Flax Plus supply for longer treatment courses.
Ingredients
Active ingredients: Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) - Raw Rehmannia root; Tao Ren (Prunus persica) - Persica seed; Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) - Chinese Angelica root; Chao Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora) - Peony root; Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius) - Carthamus flower; Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) - Ligusticum rhizome; Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata) - Achyranthes root.
Inactive ingredients (Flax Plus only): Ground Flax Seed. Traditional Powder contains no inactive ingredients.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Carthamus Cool Hooves is based on the classical Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Persica-Carthamus Four Substance Decoction) framework, a foundational Blood-moving and Blood-tonifying formula directed to the lower extremities through the addition of Niu Xi as the guiding herb:
- Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) - Raw Rehmannia root: Tonifies Yin and Blood, cools the Blood, and clears Heat; addresses the deficiency Heat and Blood-cooling needs of the formula, nourishing the Blood that the more aggressive Blood-activating herbs are moving and clearing the heat generated by Blood stagnation in the hoof.
- Tao Ren (Prunus persica) - Persica seed: The primary Blood-moving herb; breaks up Blood stasis, invigorates Blood circulation, and moistens; paired with Hong Hua as the formula's core Blood-activating combination for opening and restoring circulation through the laminar tissue of the hoof capsule.
- Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) - Chinese Angelica root: Tonifies and invigorates Blood, moves Blood stasis, and moistens; the essential dual-action herb that nourishes depleted Blood while simultaneously moving stagnation, ensuring the formula replenishes as well as clears.
- Chao Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora) - Peony root: Nourishes Blood and Yin, softens the Liver, and moderates the more aggressive Blood-moving herbs; supports healthy Blood quality, provides a moderating influence that prevents over-dispersal of Blood, and nourishes the tissues receiving restored circulation.
- Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius) - Carthamus flower: Strongly invigorates Blood circulation, breaks up Blood stasis, and reduces stagnation-generated heat; works alongside Tao Ren as the formula's primary Blood-activating pair to open circulation through the restricted vascular pathways of the laminitic hoof.
- Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) - Ligusticum rhizome: Moves both Blood and Qi, activates circulation, and addresses stagnation-related discomfort; ensures that Qi stagnation accompanying Blood stagnation is simultaneously resolved, as both must move together for full restoration of hoof circulation.
- Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata) - Achyranthes root: Invigorates Blood, expels Blood stasis, tonifies Liver and Kidney, and directs the formula's action downward to the lower extremities and hooves; the essential guide herb that focuses the combined Blood-moving and Blood-tonifying action specifically into the lower limbs and hoof where laminitis stagnation is concentrated.
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbsmith Rx Carthamus Cool Hooves contains multiple potent Blood-moving and Blood-activating herbs including Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, and Niu Xi, which may interact with certain medications. Laminitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition; horses being treated for laminitis should be under close veterinary supervision, and this formula must be used alongside, not instead of, conventional veterinary care. Not for use in pregnant mares.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (multiple Blood-moving herbs in this formula have additive anticoagulant properties; concurrent use requires close veterinary monitoring), NSAIDs and other medications used to manage laminitis-related discomfort and inflammation, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, and horses managing multiple concurrent prescriptions. Your veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your horse's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carthamus Cool Hooves designed to address in horses with laminitis?
Carthamus Cool Hooves addresses the TCVM pattern of Blood and Qi stagnation within the hoof capsule that underlies laminitis. By moving Blood out of rigid hoof structures and restoring smooth circulation to sensitive laminar tissue, the formula supports minimizing ongoing tissue damage, reducing stagnation-generated heat, and supporting the horse's overall recovery. It is designed to work alongside conventional veterinary laminitis management, not to replace it. The underlying systemic cause of the laminitis must be identified and addressed by a veterinarian.
How is Carthamus Cool Hooves administered, and what are the recommended doses for a 1,000 lb horse?
For the traditional powder, administer two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily until laminitis or hoof heat has resolved. For the Flax Plus format, administer one scoop (six-tablespoon scoop included) twice daily for the first 20 days, then one scoop daily until laminitis or hoof heat has resolved. Mix into grain for easy administration. If the horse is reluctant to eat herbs, begin with small amounts in grain and gradually increase, or choose the Flax Plus version. Confirm dosing for horses of other weights with your authorizing veterinarian.
Can Carthamus Cool Hooves be used as the sole treatment for laminitis?
No. Laminitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate and comprehensive veterinary care. Carthamus Cool Hooves is intended as an adjunct to conventional veterinary treatment, providing TCVM-based Blood-moving support alongside the diagnostic workup, pain management, and corrective farriery that laminitis cases require. The primary underlying cause of the laminitis must be identified and resolved under your veterinarian's guidance. This formula supports that process but does not replace it.
How long should Carthamus Cool Hooves be used, and when can it be discontinued?
Administer until laminitis signs and hoof heat have resolved, as assessed by your veterinarian. Because laminitis involves established Blood stagnation, meaningful improvement in hoof heat and circulation typically requires consistent use over several weeks. Use the formula as long as active laminitis signs and hoof heat are present, and discontinue once your veterinarian determines that resolution has been achieved. Evaluate extended or repeated courses with your authorizing veterinarian. Not for use in pregnant mares.