Join the Program

If you are interested in applying for your horse to be part of our Nutrition Research Program, or have further questions on the Nutrition Research Program you can contact us at 256-370-7555 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Priority for horses selected for research will be given to horses with detailed histories, previous laboratory tests, and images of any problem areas. The blood testing at Life Data® is free of charge to the horse owner and veterinarian.  The horse owner would be responsible for any additional veterinary fees associated with collecting the blood sample, such as a farm call, supplies, etc.

The research program qualification and blood sample submission procedure:
 
  • To qualify for the research, the horse owner will need to submit the horse’s demographical information, medical history, current feeding program, images of problem areas and any other information of value. A form is provided online or can be emailed to the horse owner. Click here for the “Nutrition Consulting Form.”
  • Life Data® will notify the horse owner whether the horse is accepted.
  • You and your veterinarian agree to collect and submit blood samples to Life Data®.
  • A Specimen Mailer Kit containing specialized “Royal Blue Top” blood collection tubes will be sent to you, your farrier, or veterinarian.
  • The veterinarian collects the blood samples as detailed in the “Blood Collection Instructions for the Veterinarian”. 
    Along with the collected blood sample, the requested information and Specimen Mailer Kit will be returned to Life Data® using the enclosed UPS pre-paid return shipping label.

 

The Life Data® blood sample analysis procedure:
 
  • Samples are separated into refrigerated samples and frozen samples for additional future analysis.
  • The blood samples for analysis are prepared and analyzed for chemistries and trace mineral content.
  • The horse’s demographic information and the blood test results from the laboratory equipment are entered into the Life Data® Nutrition Optimizer software program.
  • The proprietary Life Data® Nutrition Optimizer software program mathematically compares and correlates data between: 

- The blood test results from an individual horse and a population of horses.
- The blood test results from a group of horses with a specific condition, such as insulin resistance, with a “normal” population of horses.
- The blood test results from a group of horses with a specific condition, such as insulin resistance, with other horses diagnosed with the same specific condition.
- Individual blood test results such as whole blood iron, with other blood test results such as whole blood copper or blood insulin.

  • Data collection and interpretation may take several months to a year. However, if there are discernible nutrition related problems detected, the veterinarian or owner will be contacted immediately.