Life Data® Research
Life Data Labs, Inc is a company founded on solving problems, not theoretical problems, but real-world problems. The research we conduct is driven entirely by the practicality of producing a product or service that will benefit the equine industry. Unlike many companies who perform research to substantiate products they have produced, Life Data® develops products as a result of our research. To conduct privately-funded research, it is absolutely critical that the research is usable to continually support the ongoing efforts. Since 1973, Life Data® (as the name implies) has funded and conducted equine research that has benefited the entire industry; a testament of our success and dedication.
Our Nutrition Laboratory
Life Data® operates a comprehensive nutrient analysis laboratory dedicated to the purpose of establishing nutrient targets for horses. Currently, over 80 targets have been established (4x the quantity published in the NRC guidelines). Each nutrient has a correlation with every other nutrient, making it vital to understand how to deliver a balanced diet. The correlations vary from strong positive to strong negative and all levels in between. Thirty years ago, these targets were used to develop Farrier's Formula® by focusing on the nutrients that affect the dermal tissue organ. Today, these targets are studied to understand how the needs of a horse varies based on its breed, environment and occupation.
Farrier's Formula®: The Result of Ten Years of Private Research
The development of Farrier's Formula® is really a large part of the Life Data® story. Working for many years as an equine practitioner and nutritionist, Dr. Gravlee set out in his research to determine nutritional deficiencies in horses through laboratory testing.
Initially, he performed extensive lab tests and developed dietary supplements for individual horses to correct deficiencies. He re-tested at intervals to determine the exact nutrients required and the amounts needed for each animal. During this initial process, he quickly realized that many severe hoof problems could actually be corrected by correcting the nutritional deficiencies. So he began to look for exactly which nutrients were needed for healthy hooves.
Dr. Gravlee studied blood samples from over 200 horses - some with hoof problems and some without. Each blood sample was studied for more than 175 different factors. By entering this data into computerized database, he was able to determine through statistical analysis which nutrients were lacking in the horses with bad feet.
Farrier's Formula® is the result of ten years of intensive research by Dr. Gravlee. It is a nutritional supplement, and its effectiveness has been proven in scientific studies at independent universities.
Confirmed Through Independent University Studies
Veterinary Record (1990) 172, 494-498
Rosetrail Stables
We find maintaining our own horses to be essential to properly-conducted research. Rosetrail Stables allows us the opportunity to exercise complete control over the horses' diet, environment, care, and activity levels. Without this level of control, the precision of our research would be diminished due to the presence of these variables. Furthermore, by owning our own horses, we are able to conduct full life cycle research: from mares in foal through the senior years on the same horses. Good nutrition will benefit a horse at any age; by studying the full life cycle, we can understand which nutrients provide which benefits.
Our Foundation Broodmare
Starlet Rose was 15 when we acquired her in 2002. At that time, she was chronically foundered with approximately half of the front hoof walls built with plastic. She was in foal to "Distorted Humor", which is a half sibling to Kentucky Derby winner "Funny Cide". Nine months later after being on our nutrition program, Starlet Game was capable of running in our Research Farm pasture with her filly, "Starlet Rose". Since then, Starlet Game has had an additional filly by “McCabe” and a colt by "Euro Silver".
Unfortunately Starlet Game died at 24 years of age due to natural causes.
Many of her progeny continue to race and contribute nutritional information, enabling Life Data Labs to continue to develop effective products