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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
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
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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