Founder Free by Markie's Choice, Inc.

Discover why horse owners RAVE about Founder Free and the fantastic results it had with their

Got a horse battling white line disease, founder, or thrush?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated April 2026

Founder Free by Markie's Choice, Inc.

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, Ganedan 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!

Where the science behind Founder Free™ began

Founder Free™ traces its origins to a human-health discovery. Its creator, Ganedan Biotech, Inc., first developed a formulation that won acceptance as a treatment for human Onychomycosis — the stubborn fungal nail infections that attack keratin. When researchers recognized that the very same families of bacteria and fungi implicated in equine white line disease, laminitis, founder, and thrush respond to that chemistry, the product was reformulated for the hoof and Founder Free™ by Markie's Choice, Inc. was born. That cross-over heritage is why Founder Free™ targets the microbial side of hoof breakdown rather than masking symptoms.

What bacteriocins actually do inside the hoof

Founder Free™ is built from the fermentation products of beneficial bacteria that produce bacteriocins — naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides that selectively poison rival bacterial and fungal pathogens. Because Founder Free™ is a pro-biotic topical solution rather than a harsh caustic, it works with the hoof's own microbial balance instead of scorching healthy tissue. Paired penetrating agents carry those fermentation products down into the white line and laminae, reaching the organisms that drive separation and decay where surface-only treatments cannot.

The white line: the hoof's first line of defense

The white line is the seam where the insensitive hoof wall meets the sensitive inner structures, and it is where opportunistic bacteria and fungi gain their foothold. As that junction erodes, the door opens to white line disease and the mechanical instability that contributes to founder. Founder Free™ is designed to create and maintain a healthy white line, stopping pathogen growth and giving the wall and laminae a chance to heal and re-knit. A sound white line means fewer entry points for the microbes that turn a minor infection into a life-threatening crisis.

A weekly preventative routine that fits real barn life

Founder Free™ is positioned first as a preventative: applied to the hoof and hoof area on a weekly schedule, it works to control bacterial and fungal growth before laminitis, founder, white line disease, or thrush ever take hold. For horses already fighting an active case, owners report applying it more frequently — testimonials describe regimens of three to four times a week — to stop disease progression. Either way, the routine is simple enough to add to a normal hoof-care or farrier cycle without specialized equipment.

Why management practices still matter

Markie's Choice, Inc. is emphatic that Founder Free™ must be used alongside sound management, not as a substitute for it. Laminitis-prone equines need to be kept off high-sugar grasses and other starch sources, because unrestricted intake of spring and fall pasture can be dangerous and even deadly for at-risk horses and ponies. Owners are urged to monitor grazing patterns and body condition closely. Founder Free™ addresses the microbial threat to the hoof; diet, weight, and grazing control address the metabolic triggers — the two work hand in hand.

How to order Founder Free™

Founder Free™ is sold by Markie's Choice, Inc. and can be ordered by phone toll-free. The company is based at 4400 Brookville Road, Brookville, Maryland 20833. Because small hoof infections can escalate into potentially life-threatening problems, the maker's guidance is not to wait until a horse is already sick — many owners keep a bottle on hand at the barn as part of routine maintenance for the whole string.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

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.

What Do Horse Owners Say About Founder Free?

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?

Who makes Founder Free™?

Founder Free™ is sold by Markie's Choice, Inc. The formulation was originally created by Ganedan Biotech, Inc., a firm that first developed the underlying chemistry as a treatment for human fungal nail infections (Onychomycosis) before adapting it for equine hoof health.

What conditions is Founder Free™ used for?

Founder Free™ targets the bacteria and fungi associated with white line disease, laminitis, founder, and thrush. By controlling those pathogens at the white line, it aims to lessen the occurrence of laminitis and white line disease and reduce the potential for founder in horses and ponies.

Is Founder Free™ a cure for founder?

Founder Free™ is described primarily as a preventative and as a way to limit the harmful effects of an active founder case, not as a standalone cure. The company is clear that it must be used in conjunction with sound management practices — including diet and grazing control — and owners are encouraged to work with their veterinarian and farrier on a foundered or laminitic horse.

What are bacteriocins and why do they matter here?

Bacteriocins are naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides produced by certain bacteria to inhibit rival microbes. In Founder Free™ they are delivered as part of the bacterial fermentation products, giving the solution a powerful inhibitory effect on both bacterial and fungal pathogens. This is what lets Founder Free™ act as a pro-biotic approach rather than a harsh caustic chemical.

Why does Founder Free™ focus on the white line of the hoof?

The white line is the junction between the hoof wall and the sensitive inner structures, and it is a common entry point for opportunistic bacteria and fungi. When that seam breaks down, it leads to white line disease and contributes to the instability seen in founder. Founder Free™ works to keep the white line healthy, which limits the entry points pathogens use to cause serious hoof damage.

How often do you apply Founder Free™?

For prevention, Founder Free™ is described as a weekly-use product applied to the hoof and hoof area to control bacterial and fungal growth before disease takes hold. For horses with an active problem, owner testimonials describe more frequent application — on the order of three to four times a week — to help stop disease progression and let the hoof heal.

Can Founder Free™ be used preventatively on a healthy horse?

Yes. The maker recommends Founder Free™ as a preventative measure to control bacteria and fungus before laminitis, founder, white line disease, or thrush occurs. Many owners keep it on hand at the barn for routine maintenance because small hoof infections can escalate into potentially life-threatening problems if ignored.

Does Founder Free™ replace good pasture and diet management?

No. Markie's Choice, Inc. stresses that Founder Free™ must be used alongside sound management practices. Laminitis-prone equines must be kept off certain grasses and away from other starch sources, since unrestricted intake of spring and fall grasses can be dangerous and even deadly for some horses. Founder Free™ handles the microbial threat while diet and grazing control handle the metabolic triggers.

How is Founder Free™ different from herbal or supplement-based founder products?

Many founder and laminitis products are oral supplements aimed at metabolism, magnesium balance, or inflammation. Founder Free™ is different: it is a topical solution applied directly to the hoof that targets the bacterial and fungal pathogens attacking the white line. Its mechanism — fermentation-derived bacteriocins plus penetrating agents — addresses the microbial side of hoof breakdown rather than the dietary side.

Is Founder Free™ safe for ponies and minis?

The product is marketed for horses and ponies, and the company's own testimonials feature a miniature horse and a paint horse. As a topical pro-biotic solution applied to the hoof rather than an ingested supplement, it is used the same way across sizes. As with any hoof product on an at-risk or already-affected equine, owners should coordinate care with their veterinarian and farrier.

How quickly might results appear?

Results will vary by horse and severity, but the company's published testimonials describe noticeable improvement within one to two weeks of regular use, with continued progress over three to four weeks. These are individual owner accounts rather than guaranteed outcomes, and ongoing use plus proper management are part of the recommended approach.

How do I order Founder Free™ and contact Markie's Choice, Inc.?

Founder Free™ can be ordered from Markie's Choice, Inc. by calling toll-free 1-888-740-4450. The company's address is 4400 Brookville Road, Brookville, Maryland 20833. Because small infections can become serious quickly, the company advises ordering before a horse becomes sick rather than waiting for symptoms.

Why was a human nail-fungus product adapted for horses?

Ganedan Biotech, Inc. first developed the formulation as a treatment for human Onychomycosis, or fungal nail infections. Research showed the same product inhibited the growth of the very bacteria and fungi implicated in equine white line disease, laminitis, founder, and thrush. That overlap — keratin-attacking microbes in both human nails and horse hooves — is why the technology was reformulated into Founder Free™.

What makes a healthy white line so important for preventing founder?

A sound white line keeps the hoof wall firmly attached to the inner structures and blocks opportunistic bacteria and fungi from invading. When the white line degrades, the wall can separate and destabilize, opening the door to white line disease and worsening the mechanical failure seen in founder. By keeping that seam healthy and pathogen-free, Founder Free™ aims to remove one of the key conditions that lets minor hoof problems spiral into laminitis and founder.