Hair tissue minerals analysis is only accurate if a Govt licensed and accredited laboratory is used. The same laboratory should be used for follow up testing. Results need to be interpreted preferably by a minerals analyst or a practitioner who has  worked in the field of minerals analyses.

Hair mineral analysis is a suitable tool for evaluating the mineral status in the horse and it is a better biologial indicator than blood in assessing mineral status.

Hair tissue testing is a soft tissue mineral biopsy that is tested in an accredited, quality assured laboratory to determine the mineral levels of your horse. Samples are sent to a clinical laboratory that is licensed and certified in the U.S which uses state of the art ICP- mass spectrometry.

A hair tissue test is much more than a test for mineral levels. From a small sample of your horse's hair, it is possible to determine the status and function of your horse's endocrine system and if toxic metal levels are present. It provides an accurate picture of of your horse's nutritional levels over the past 10-12 weeks. Htma is considered a screening test which can provide considerable information about the health of the horse and can play a critical role in preventing serious health issues by early detection.

The horse requires at least 15 minerals to be in relative balance to maintain health and performance. When excesses or deficiencies occur, symptoms become apparent.

FACTS ABOUT HAIR TISSUE TESTING

  1. The U.S EPA accepts hair tissue tests to determine toxic metal levels in individuals living in at risk communities.
  2. That a hair tissue test was conducted on Pharlap in 2006 and it confirmed arsenic toxicosis.
  3. Racing authorities world wide use hair tissue testing as part of standard testing procedures.
  4. Elite athletes and AFL footballers are hair tissue tested.
  5. Toxic metal poisonings are very common in horses and ignored in veterinary diagnosis.
  6. Toxic metals cross the placental barrier in pregnant mares.
  7. Australia soils are severely lacking in essential minerals with no selenium naturally occurring.
  8. All horses have different mineral requirements even those in the same paddock.
  9. Guessing supplements and feeds poses potential health risks either excesses or deficiencies of minerals.
  10. WHEN VETERINARY DIAGNOSIS FAILS THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN NUTRITIONAL.
  11. Hair provides a unique cellular reading of mineral levels that cannot be detected in blood.
  12. Blood tests cannot detect trace minerals and other minerals accurately beacuse they very hourly.
  13. Hair is inexpensive and easy to transport and only one sample will test for many minerals.
  14. Heavy metals cannot be detected in blood except after immediate, acute exposure.
  15. Ratios of minerals are more important than mineral levels alone. They represent homeostatic balances and can indicate metabolic dysfunction.
  16. Feed analysis will not provide information about what your horse is absorbing
  17. Useful for knowing how suitable your soil and water type is for your horse. For example: excess iron or excess minerals in water source.
  18. Followup testing must be done at the same laboratory because each lab has a unique process of collecting and storing samples and often using different testing equipment. Variables in laboratories impact the reliability of diagnostic results when you send the same sample to a different lab. This also applies to sending bloodwork, hay and feed testing to different labs: you will get different results.

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Hair tissue testing is not to be confused with hair testing! Hair tissue is tested in a laboratory under controlled conditions using a mass spectrometer. Whereas hair testing practioneers may use a variety of implements including pendulums, radionics, dowsing and clairvoyance. For accurary, a scientific test is recommended and the results to be interpreted by an experienced, credentialed pracititioner.