Founder Free by Markie's Choice, Inc.
Discover why horse owners Rave about Founder Free and the fantastic results it had with their horses!
About Our Company
The creators of Founder Free, Ganeden Biotech, Inc., had originally developed a product that gained considerable acceptance as a treatment for human Onychomycosis, or fungal nail infections. The product was shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth of the same bacteria and fungi that are implicated in white line disease, laminitis, founder, and thrush. Thus, Founder Free was born and has been assisting horses with preventing debilitating diseases like laminitis and white line disease. Founder Free is the first solution that can take the pain away from your horse and turn him/her into a sound, happy horse.
What Is Founder Free™ ?
Founder Free™ is a pro-biotic, topical solution that can work to create a healthy white line of the hoof, which can lessen the threat to your equine from the dangers of laminitis and can work to limit the harmful effects of an active founder case. Weekly use of Founder Free as described below may lessen the occurrence of laminitis and white line disease and lessen the potential for founder in your horse or pony. Founder Free must be used in conjunction with sound management practices. Laminitic-prone equines must be kept off certain grasses and away from other starch sources. Unrestricted intake of spring and fall grasses, for instance, can be quite dangerous and even deadly for certain horses. Monitor your horses grazing patterns and body condition.
How Does Founder Free Work?
Founder Free is made from the fermentation products of bacteria that produce bacteriocins that have a powerful inhibitory effect on both the bacteria and fungal pathogens that are implicated in white line disease and laminitis and founder. Founder Free incorporates effective penetrating agents that allow the fermentation products to reach the harmful bacterial and fungal species responsible for the breakdown of the white line of the hoof. The use of Founder Free can effectively stop and then inhibit the growth of the harmful bacteria and fungus. Read our Articles.
How Effective Is Founder Free?
Founder Free is made from the fermentation products of bacteria that produce bacteriocins that have a powerful inhibitory effect on both bacteria and fungal pathogens. Founder Free also incorporates effective penetrating agents that allow the fermentation products to reach the bacterial and fungal species responsible for the white line and hoof tissue destruction. Founder Free can effectively and efficiently stop the harmful bacteria and retard their growth.
Founder Free should be used as a preventative measure to control the growth of bacteria and fungus before the laminitis, founder, white line disease, or thrush occurs. However, Founder Free is also quite effective at stopping the progression of the disease, allowing the white line and hoof to heal and become healthy once again.
What Do Horse Owners Say About Founder Free?
I have a 5 year-old mini horse that foundered. I treated him with every product I could find. Nothing seemed to relieve his pain and soreness. Then I read about Founder Free. I couldn't believe that after 2 weeks of using Founder Free 3-4 times a week, he started to feel better and walk around like he had a new lease on life. I couldn't believe how much this product helped my horse's feet. I am so happy I tried Founder Free; it turned out to be an incredible product. Founder Free is "Magic in a Bottle."-J. Maas, Upstate NY
Thought I should let you know that Founder Free is a wonderful product. After my little paint horse foundered 1 1/2 years ago, his hooves were in terrible condition. I tried everything and he continued to have the condition. Finally I saw the ad for Founder Free and ordered one bottle. I could not believe it -- I saw a change in one week and ordered more. It has been 3 1/2 weeks now, and the change is amazing. I will continue to use Founder Free and will keep it around the barn to maintain Little Man's hooves. Thank you so much. This means a great deal to me.
J. Eckhardt, Abiquiu, NM
Order Founder Free Today!
Small infections can lead to potentially life threatening problems for your horse, but it doesn’t have to. With Founder Free you can help your horse prevent these infections, so don't wait until your horse is sick! Order Today!
What exactly is Founder Free?
Founder Free is a pro-biotic, topical solution from Markie's Choice, Inc. that is applied directly to the white line of the horse's hooves. It works to inhibit the growth of the bacteria and fungi that can destroy the hoof and threaten the life of your horse or pony. Used together with a correct trim, Founder Free can help turn a sore horse or pony into a sound, pain-free equine, and it doubles as a treatment for fungal infections including thrush and skin problems. Markie's Choice describes the goal simply: to create a healthy white line on the hoof that may lessen the occurrence of laminitis, white line disease, founder and thrush.
Who is Markie, and how did this product come to be?The company is named for Brooke Lane Marquessa, "Markie," a horse who nearly died from a severe case of founder, coming within 15 mm of having her coffin bone penetrate her sole. Desperate, Markie's owner applied an old bottle of a discontinued solution called "Fungi Free," and within an hour the motionless, head-hanging mare was up in the paddock munching hay. The original formula had been developed by Ganeden Biotech, Inc., which had discontinued its smaller equine line to concentrate on human products. Markie's Choice, Inc. licensed and restarted manufacturing, renaming the solution Founder Free, and the founder candidly notes she is "not only the president but also a client."
The science behind how Founder Free works.Founder Free is made from the fermentation products of bacteria that produce bacteriocins, which have a powerful inhibitory effect on both the bacterial and fungal pathogens implicated in white line disease, laminitis and founder. The formula incorporates effective penetrating agents that carry those fermentation products to the harmful microbes responsible for breaking down the white line of the hoof. Markie's Choice explains that hoof-destroying disease is driven by a symbiotic colony of at least one species of bacteria and at least one species of fungi working together — which is why treating only one is useless, since eliminating one lets the other keep growing. By acting on both simultaneously, Founder Free can stop and then inhibit the growth of the harmful organisms at the white line.
How to apply Founder Free correctly.For a non-foundering horse or pony, once a week spread a line of Founder Free along the cleaned white line and gently rub it in with your finger; the white line will be slightly damp and there is no need to wrap the hoof. If the horse is shod, squirt the solution between the shoe and hoof using a toothpick or Q-tip applicator — it will still be absorbed by the white line. For an active or chronic case of founder or white line disease, call your veterinarian, remove the horse from the suspected starch source, apply Founder Free to the white line and frog, then wrap the hooves for 3 to 5 days; many horses show great improvement in as little as 10 to 15 days. The maker stresses that Founder Free must be used in conjunction with sound management practices and may be used alongside equine medicines, your veterinarian, and your farrier.
Which horses and problems is it meant for?
Founder Free is intended for horses and ponies dealing with white line disease, laminitis, founder, thrush, and skin infections, and is especially relevant to easy-keeping, insulin-resistant equines that are prone to laminitis on rich pasture. It is gentle enough for contact with both equine and human skin, and can be used on multiple horses. Markie's Choice is candid that results are not guaranteed: "Although Founder Free has worked miracles on some horses, there is no certainty that all horses and ponies will achieve the same level of success. Individual results may vary." The product should always pair with management changes such as keeping laminitic-prone horses off high-sugar grasses.
Sizes, pricing, and how to order.Founder Free is sold as a 2 oz. bottle starting at $36.95 and a 4 oz. bottle at $54.00 each. Markie's Choice also offers a Healthy Hoof Kit — 2 Founder Free bottles, 2 Hoof Wraps, and 2 ThinLine Hoof Pads — starting at $96.00 (a $107.90 value if purchased separately), plus Hoof Wraps starting at $14.00 and ThinLine Hoof Pads at $3.00 each. Discounts are given to farriers and trimmers and for bulk sales. To order or ask questions, call (toll free) or, or write to Markie's Choice, Inc., 4400 Brookeville Rd., Brookeville, Maryland 20833.
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The Solution Section (FAQ)
What is Founder Free and where did it originate?
Per Markie's Choice, Inc.: Founder Free is a pro-biotic, topical solution created by Ganeden Biotech, Inc. Per the company: Ganeden originally developed a product accepted as a treatment for human Onychomycosis (fungal nail infections). Per Markie's Choice: the product was shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth of the same bacteria and fungi implicated in white line disease, laminitis, founder, and thrush — and from that finding, Founder Free was born.
How does Founder Free work?
Per Markie's Choice, Inc.: Founder Free is made from the fermentation products of bacteria that produce bacteriocins, which the company describes as having a powerful inhibitory effect on both bacteria and fungal pathogens implicated in white line disease, laminitis, and founder. Per the company: Founder Free incorporates effective penetrating agents that allow the fermentation products to reach the harmful bacterial and fungal species responsible for the breakdown of the white line of the hoof.
Is Founder Free preventative or for active cases?
Per Markie's Choice, Inc.: both. Per the company: Founder Free should be used as a preventative measure to control the growth of bacteria and fungus before laminitis, founder, white line disease, or thrush occurs. Per Markie's Choice: it is also described as effective at stopping the progression of the disease, allowing the white line and hoof to heal.
What management practices does Founder Free require alongside use?
Per Markie's Choice, Inc.: Founder Free must be used in conjunction with sound management practices. Per the company:
- Laminitic-prone equines must be kept off certain grasses and away from other starch sources
- Unrestricted intake of spring and fall grasses can be quite dangerous and even deadly for certain horses
- Monitor grazing patterns and body condition
Per the company: weekly use as described may lessen occurrence of laminitis and white line disease and lessen potential for founder.
What do horse owners say about Founder Free?
Per Markie's Choice, Inc., owner testimonials include:
"I have a 5-year-old mini horse that foundered. I treated him with every product I could find. Nothing seemed to relieve his pain and soreness. Then I read about Founder Free. I couldn't believe that after 2 weeks of using Founder Free 3-4 times a week, he started to feel better and walk around like he had a new lease on life." — J. Maas, Upstate NY
"After my little paint horse foundered 1 1/2 years ago, his hooves were in terrible condition. I tried everything and he continued to have the condition. Finally I saw the ad for Founder Free and ordered one bottle. I saw a change in one week and ordered more. It has been 3 1/2 weeks now, and the change is amazing." — J. Eckhardt, Abiquiu, NM
How do I order?
Per Markie's Choice, Inc.: Phone 1-888-740-4450 (toll free), email [email protected], website http://www.founderfree.com. Address: 4400 Brookville Road, Brookville, Maryland 20833-1608. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors.
What is Founder Free by Markie's Choice?
Founder Free is a pro-biotic, topical solution applied to the white line of a horse's hooves. It is made by Markie's Choice, Inc. and is designed to inhibit the bacteria and fungi that break down the hoof, helping create a healthy white line that may lessen the occurrence of laminitis, white line disease, founder and thrush.
Is Founder Free a feed supplement or something you put on the hoof?
It is a topical product, not a feed-through supplement. You apply Founder Free directly onto the cleaned white line of the hoof, rubbing it in with a finger. Importantly, Markie's Choice notes on its site that its Founder Free hoof product is not affiliated with the separate dietary supplement also named Founder Free sold by TLC Animal Nutrition.
How does Founder Free actually work?
Founder Free is made from the fermentation products of bacteria that produce bacteriocins, compounds with a powerful inhibitory effect on the bacterial and fungal pathogens involved in white line disease, laminitis and founder. The formula also includes penetrating agents that carry those products to the microbes embedded in the white line. Because hoof disease is driven by bacteria and fungi working together, Founder Free is designed to act on both at once.
What conditions is Founder Free used for?
Markie's Choice lists its suggested uses as white line disease, laminitis, founder, thrush, and skin infections. It can be used preventively on healthy hooves and as part of a treatment plan on active or chronic cases. It can also be applied directly to fungal infections, thrush, and skin problems.
Who is 'Markie,' and why is the company named after her?
Markie is Brooke Lane Marquessa, a horse who nearly died of a severe founder case — coming within 15 mm of her coffin bone penetrating her sole. After her owner applied a discontinued solution called Fungi Free, she recovered dramatically within an hour. That recovery inspired the relaunch of the formula as Founder Free under Markie's Choice, Inc.
Where does the original formula come from?
The original solution was developed by Ganeden Biotech, Inc., which had produced an equine product called Fungi Free before discontinuing its smaller equine line to focus on human products. Markie's Choice worked with Ganeden to restart manufacturing of the formula and renamed it Founder Free. (Note: the existing InfoHorse copy referencing human Onychomycosis reflects Ganeden's earlier work; the equine product is the topical hoof solution.)
How do I apply Founder Free to a horse that is not foundering?
Once a week, spread a line of Founder Free along the cleaned white line of the hoof and gently rub it in with your finger. The white line will be slightly damp, and there is no need to wrap the hoof. It is most effective when applied to the white line immediately after the hoof is trimmed.
How do I use it on a shod horse?
If your horse is shod, squirt the Founder Free between the shoe and the hoof, using a toothpick or Q-tip applicator to move it under the shoe. According to Markie's Choice, the white line will absorb the Founder Free even with the shoe on, so you do not need to pull the shoe to treat the hoof.
What do I do for an active or chronic case of founder or white line disease?
Call your veterinarian and immediately remove the horse from the suspected source of the founder or disease. Apply Founder Free to the white line and frog as soon as possible, then wrap the hooves; Markie's Choice strongly recommends wrapping after the first application. Keep the boot or wrap on for 3 to 5 days, then remove it, reapply, and repeat daily until you see improvement.
How quickly might I see results?
Markie's Choice states that many horses show great improvement in as little as 10 to 15 days when Founder Free is used on an active case. The company is candid that results vary — it notes that although Founder Free has worked miracles on some horses, there is no certainty that all horses and ponies will achieve the same level of success, and individual results may vary.
Is Founder Free safe to handle and use on multiple horses?
Yes. Markie's Choice states that Founder Free is gentle enough for contact with both equine and human skin. It can be used by itself or alongside other practices, and the company recommends talking to your veterinarian or farrier about the best options for your horse or pony.
Can Founder Free be used with my veterinarian's or farrier's treatment?
Yes. The company says Founder Free may be used with equine medicines and in conjunction with the practices and recommendations of your veterinarian or farrier. It stresses that Founder Free must be used together with sound management practices, not as a standalone fix.
What sizes does Founder Free come in and what does it cost?
Founder Free is offered as a 2 oz. bottle starting at $36.95 and a 4 oz. bottle at $54.00 each. If the solution becomes thick due to cold temperatures, Markie's Choice advises warming the bottle in your hands before use.
What is the Healthy Hoof Kit?
The Healthy Hoof Kit bundles everything needed to develop and maintain healthy hooves: 2 Founder Free bottles, 2 Hoof Wraps, and 2 ThinLine Hoof Pads. It starts at $96.00, compared with $107.90 if the items were purchased separately. Hoof Wraps are sold separately starting at $14.00 and ThinLine Hoof Pads at $3.00 each.
Are there discounts for professionals or bulk buyers?
Yes. Markie's Choice states that discounts are given to farriers and trimmers and for bulk sales. The company asks that you call 301-570-1899 for details on professional and bulk pricing.
How do I contact Markie's Choice to order or ask questions?
You can call 1-888-740-4450 (toll free) or 1-301-570-1899. The company is located at 4400 Brookeville Rd., Brookeville, Maryland 20833. (Note: the original founderfree.com storefront is no longer active online, so phoning Markie's Choice is the most reliable way to inquire.)
Why does laminitis happen, and how does Founder Free fit into prevention?
Markie's Choice explains laminitis is often caused by a combination of factors such as carbohydrate overload, insulin resistance, nitrogen-compound overload, hard ground, and lush pastures, with insulin-resistant easy keepers especially at risk. Their guidance pairs management — regular exercise, monitoring pasture sugar, limiting clover, and testing hay for non-structural carbohydrates below about 11 percent — with weekly topical use of Founder Free on the white line. The product is positioned as one part of an overall hoof-health and laminitis-prevention strategy, not a replacement for diet and trimming.
