The future of Heathcote's favourite horse, Subzero, is still clouded in uncertainty.

Until recently, owner Graham Salisbury had been importing a special powder called Flex Plus from the United States, which helped ease Subzero's arthritic pain.

The miracle cure has now been seized by customs officials, due to an ingredient called rice bran.

The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) are concerned about where _ and for how long _ the rice bran has been baked for, and what it could do if released into the environment.

Mr Salisbury said he was ``flabbergasted'' with the decision.

Subzero's plight has since become a national issue, as even Attorney General Rob Hulls and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have become involved.

It has been suggested to Mr Salisbury there are a number of ways around the problem, such as applying for a special clearance through a vet and importing the product via New Zealand.

AQIS has said it is determined to solve the stand-off.

Apart from winning the 1992 Melbourne Cup, the 21-year-old silver coloured steed has been a champion of the charity circuit.

Mr Salisbury said he calculated `Subbie' had helped raise over $12 million over the past 17 years.

``He goes to about 50 schools a year and everybody just loves him,'' he said.

The past week has been bedlam for Mr Salisbury.

He said just every major commercial television and radio network had been out to his property on Nagambie Road when the news broke.

He has fielded phone calls from across the country and overseas.

``Last week I had 160 phone calls on my mobile, 90 emails and 80 texts in one day,'' he said.

Thankfully, he has also been inundated with offers of products which are similar to Flex Plus.

``I just don't know if they will be compatible with Subbie though,'' he said.

``I would like to continue with Flex Plus, as it has done wonders for Subbie's arthritis. Before he started on it, his joints were bone on bone.

``But without it, or something similar, Subbie would only last another three months at best. We would have to put him down.''

Mr Salisbury hoped to hear by yesterday of an AQIS decision on the importation of Flex Plus.