Our Mission: Establishing the New Standard for Caprine Metabolic Health
As Traditional Naturopaths and Master Herbalists with backgrounds in Health Psychology and medicine, we believe that “average” isn’t good enough for our herdāor yours. For too long, goat mineral management has relied on guesswork, “one-size-fits-all” bag mixes, or the hope that animals can instinctively navigate complex biochemical interrelationships like the Thiomolybdate Trap.
The Horse-n-Bear Pioneer Research Project
We have launched a dedicated research initiative to establish Cellular Mineral Baselines specifically for goats. While livestock data exists for blood chemistry, blood is a homeostatic medium that often hides chronic deficiencies. By utilizing Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) through Analytical Research Labs (ARL), we are capturing a 3-4 month metabolic history of how minerals are actually being sequestered at the cellular level.
Our Research Objectives include:
- Defining the “Appalachian Baseline”: Identifying how regional soil and water high in Iron and Manganese create unique “blocks” for local herds.
- Mapping the Thiomolybdate Trap: Documenting the precise Copper-to-Molybdenum ratios where clinical symptoms (like fishtail or poor coats) manifest in ruminants.
- The Stress-Mineral Connection: Applying our health psychology background to track how environmental and herd stress impact adrenal and thyroid mineral patterns.
Why Your Data Matters
When you work with us, you aren’t just getting a lab report; you are contributing to a growing database of caprine health. Every test we process helps us refine the understanding of what a “healthy” goat looks like at the cellular level. We are turning our passion for our animalsāand the heartbreak of preventable lossāinto a scientific roadmap for the future of holistic goat care.
About the Lead Researchers
Drs. Charlotte and Timothy Test bring a combined background in Health Psychology (Ph.D./M.A.), Traditional Naturopathy (N.D.), and Medical Science (M.D.) to the study of caprine metabolism. By applying academic rigor to the world of herbalism and mineralogy, they are dedicated to uncovering the cellular patterns that drive herd resilience and longevity.