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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who is ActivateQi — and what's the founding story?
Per ActivateQi: founders Brittany Jacobsen and Rachel Schaefer have paired their love of horses and dogs with passion for holistic wellness. Per the company: "We both were going through hard times and multiple health issues with our horses and dogs and we were not satisfied with the current products on the market, and just not seeing the results."
They were introduced to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for humans, and brought that approach to the horse market.
What does "Qi" mean — and what is TCM?
Per ActivateQi: "Qi" (pronounced CHEE) is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to describe vital energy or life force in the body.
Per the company: when you are upset or worried and have a knot in your stomach, that is blocked Qi energy in your stomach area. Per ActivateQi: "While it is okay to temporarily have emotions and embrace them, if Qi is blocked for long periods of time it can start to lead to other imbalances of the body, creating health issues. Having free flow of Qi throughout the body is key for optimal health in you, your horse, and your dog."
What are the RELIEF, REPAIR, RECOVER products?
Per ActivateQi: RELIEF™, REPAIR™, RECOVER™ is a highly effective natural product line for JOINT, Bone and Muskoskeletal Health.
How does TCM treatment philosophy work?
Per ActivateQi: TCM is one of the world's oldest forms of medicine, originating in China. Main concepts:
- Qi (vital force) travels through the body — imbalance can cause disease and illness
- Imbalance is most commonly caused by alteration in the opposite and complementary forces — yin and yang
- To regain balance, achieve balance between internal body organs and the 5 external elements: earth, fire, water, wood, metal
- TCM also classifies emotions into 7 categories paired with specific organs
- Treatment seeks to restore balance through individualized approaches
How is RELIEF/REPAIR/RECOVER different from Knockout by ActivateQi — same brand?
Per ActivateQi: distinct products in the company's growing equine line.
- RELIEF™ / REPAIR™ / RECOVER™ — joint, bone, musculoskeletal health (this trio)
- Knockout — separate ActivateQi formulation
Per the company: ActivateQi started with a handful of horse products and has expanded to a canine line plus more equine products in development. All share the TCM root-cause-of-organ-imbalance posture.
How do I order — and what's the company posture?
Per ActivateQi: Phone 612-500-6439, email [email protected], website https://activateqi.com. Per the founders: "You will love the results as we do." Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors — confirm current pricing with ActivateQi directly when ordering.
What are RELIEF, REPAIR and RECOVER by ActivateQi?
They are the musculoskeletal and recovery herbal formulas in the ActivateQi line, all built on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles for horses and dogs. RELIEF targets joint, muscle and arthritis pain, REPAIR heals injured tendons, ligaments, bone and wounds, and the recovery formula restores fluids and energy after hard work. They are sold as all-natural powders you add to feed.
Who owns and founded ActivateQi?
ActivateQi was founded by Brittany Jacobsen and Rachel Schaefer, who combined their love of horses and dogs with a passion for holistic wellness. As horse owners themselves, they grew frustrated that most products only masked symptoms, so they pursued the question of 'why' behind an animal's ailment. That search for herbal combinations that produced real results became ActivateQi.
What is the ActivateQi philosophy?
Their motto is 'Address the cause. Restore the body.' Rather than masking symptoms, ActivateQi formulas are designed to target the root cause of an imbalance, whether that's diet, environmental stress, parasites, toxin buildup, nutrient deficiency or conditioning. The long-term goal is to restore the body's balance so the animal can maintain health naturally with minimal ongoing support.
What does RELIEF do for horses?
RELIEF was formulated for horses in heavy work or training and for those showing pain from sore muscles, stiff joints or arthritis. In TCM terms it tonifies the Liver, Kidney and Spleen to support healthy joint function, moves Qi to relieve pain, expels dampness from the joints and improves joint lubrication. It also works to strengthen bone, tendons and ligaments while reducing muscle cramping and spasm.
What does REPAIR do?
REPAIR is formulated for horses and dogs that have suffered injuries such as torn or strained tendons, fractures, soft-tissue injuries or wounds. It tonifies the Liver and Kidney, increases circulation to the tendons and ligaments to keep them strong, flexible and supple, and boosts blood cell production to generate flesh for wound healing. It also aims to reduce inflammation, swelling and scar-tissue formation.
What ingredients are in RELIEF?
RELIEF's key herbs include Xi Xian Cao (Siegesbeckia herb), Lu Lu Tong (Sweetgum fruit) and Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula root) within a proprietary blend. These are chosen to strengthen bone, tendon and ligament, invigorate blood circulation and expel dampness from the joints. ActivateQi uses pharmaceutical-grade Eastern and Western herbs across its formulas.
What ingredients are in REPAIR?
REPAIR centers on Xu Duan (Dipsacus root), which strengthens Liver and Kidney function and supports connective-tissue repair, and Lu Xian Cao (Pyrola herb), which reduces stiffness and swelling while improving mobility and blood flow. The blend is built to drive circulation to an injury site and nourish the tendons and ligaments. Like all ActivateQi products, it uses pharmaceutical-grade herbs grounded in TCM.
Can ActivateQi help a barrel horse with a tendon injury like DDFT?
Yes. A testimonial from Dana Ragan reports trying ActivateQi REPAIR on a barrel horse with DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) injury and seeing great results. REPAIR is specifically formulated for torn or strained tendons and soft-tissue injuries by increasing circulation to the area and nourishing the sinews. As always, work with your veterinarian on a serious injury and use these herbs as part of the recovery plan.
How do I dose RELIEF and REPAIR?
For dogs, the standard serving is 1 scoop per 15 lbs of body weight, twice daily. For an average horse it is 2 scoops daily, adjusted down for miniatures and up for drafts. In severe cases the dose can be increased to 2 scoops twice daily for horses.
How long does a bag or jar last?
For an average 800-1,200 lb horse, a bag lasts roughly 18 to 20 days at the standard daily serving. For dogs, serving life varies by size: a 1-15 lb dog can get around 70-76 days per jar, while a 76+ lb dog gets about 11-12 days per jar. Larger horse bags naturally last longer than the smaller sizes.
What does it cost and what sizes are available?
ActivateQi musculoskeletal formulas start at $50.00 USD, with larger horse bags listed at $105.00 USD. Equine sizes include 1 lb and 3 lb bags, and there is a 5 oz canine jar. You can buy one-time or choose Subscribe & Save for an additional 5% discount with customizable delivery frequency.
What is the RECOVER / recovery formula for?
The recovery formula (Replenish) is designed for equine recovery after intense activity, addressing fatigue, dehydration, fluid loss, muscle soreness and reluctance to drink. It generates fluids to restore the body's fluid balance, relieves muscle tension and joint soreness, and supports liver function and energy restoration. It is also used to counter the effects of diuretic (Lasix) use, and is recommended after competition or hard training rather than for long-term daily use.
Are these products safe to use alongside performance and training?
Yes, these formulas are made with performance and working animals in mind, including barrel horses and other equine athletes. RELIEF supports horses in heavy work, the recovery formula is given post-competition or before long hauls, and the line as a whole is built to keep performance partners in balance. Owners report faster performance and recovery, but you should still coordinate with your veterinarian for any diagnosed condition.
Do these formulas work on dogs too?
Yes. RELIEF and REPAIR are formulated for both horses and dogs, with dedicated canine serving sizes and dosing. Testimonials describe dogs recovering from torn ACLs and regaining mobility on REPAIR. The 5 oz jar and per-15-lb dosing make the line practical for canine joint and injury support.
How quickly do owners see results?
Customer testimonials for REPAIR report positive results within one to five weeks for horses with knee pain and for dogs with torn ACLs and mobility issues. RELIEF reviewers describe improvements in poll soreness and horses 'feeling and running better than ever.' Results vary by animal, condition severity and consistency of use, since these herbs work to address the underlying cause over time.
How is ActivateQi different from other joint and recovery supplements?
ActivateQi focuses on root cause rather than masking symptoms, blending pharmaceutical-grade Eastern and Western herbs under Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. The company is education-driven, helping owners recognize imbalances and tailor care for performance animals, seniors, rescues or prevention instead of a one-size-fits-all product. Their stated long-term goal is to reduce an animal's dependency on supplements by restoring natural balance.
How do I contact ActivateQi or order?
You can shop directly at activateqi.com, and call or text 612-500-6439 to discuss your horse's unique needs. The brand offers free shipping on continental U.S. orders over $200, plus Ambassador, Wholesale and Referral programs. ActivateQi holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating across 166 verified reviews and is active on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube as @activateqi.
