Tag Archives: horse diet

Nancy asks about mare’s breathing/allergy challenges, feeding and more…

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Nancy

Message:
Please educate me why your AllerCheck will work compared to other product offerings.  My mare has breathing/allergies/insulin issues.

We have tried other products ((Standard Process Equine products, H_ _ _ _, E_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (resveratrol) Joint), allergy testing to help ID
causes, western meds which just caused complications, etc. We have tried the Just add Oats program and her insulin levels
sky-rocketed. She will eat the Bug Check/Red Cal occasionally – she is a fussy one.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Nancy,

Aller Check like all my products- that I personally formulated have simply been mainstays— basically the Weight Check Oil that replaced the old H2Ooil has been my only replacement of a product and even then it was because I finally found a non-GMO free source of omegas that I wanted and that I could trust… not that H2Oil didn't work- folks just loved the Weight Check Oil better. I added probiotics to Bug Check just to make it even more healthy and to make it more appealing to use year-round, as year-round usage is only going to help it support the "bug" challenges even more when the time comes. (not playing catch-up)

So with that said, I have always had my own "test-herd", if you will- I simply know and trust in what I have put together and trust the raw materials contained within. I don't worry about others products or pay much mind really— I also know what has helped thousands through the years and I appreciate the support and trust we have from so many.

I will say that my recommendations for allergy challenges are always based upon the feeding program— Aller Check is going to perform at its optimum level when used in conjunction– otherwise you may not be satisfied with results.

Now, as far as the feeding program- I normally don't hear this when one is on the program 100%… and using all 3 supplements- especially don't shortcut on the Weight Check Oil. Good fats are essential. Hopefully all other potential outside factors were not available… just so many- but at times I've had people providing beet pulp, molasses, flax and on and on and that just is not gonna work. I'm not saying you did– just that it could be several reasons— again as I have not had the feeding program "alone" be the cause of an insulin spike and that is with thousands of horses feeding for success- our way, every day.

Now- Only 2 reason why they don't eat Red Cal and that is too much potassium getting into system from other sources or salt blocks etc. not being removed. If needed a tablespoon can be top-dressed daily and if still picky about that… start with a pinch and slowly work up. These reasons and other factors are explained in the articles that are linked via FeedForSuccess.com

Same thing with Bug Check… if that pickey, start with very small amount ( a pinch even) that they will eat and then work up… if they stop work back down to last point and then work back up more slowly. In rare instances this always works.

Here is a link to my AskDrDan blog where you can read about others that have asked about "insulin" challenges etc. This is link returned after using the "search" box on the site. http://askdrdan.com/?s=insulin&submit=Search

I appreciate you asking and hope this helps Nancy.

Dr. Dan

TheNaturalVet.net

Cathy asks about what type of hay for these horses

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Dear Dr. Dan,
 
We are in Wisconsin, and have a client in Florida who has recently moved her horses down there and was having trouble keeping weight on her hot mare.  She started feeding a pelleted formula, and now the mare is so hot she cannot ride her.  The feed store employees told her not to feed oats unless she is feeding alfalfa hay, which she cant at $25 per bale!  She is feeding coastal hay, and that is about all she can find down there.  Will the oats keep weight on her mare?  Does she need to feed a different type of hay?  Is there any products made for “hot” horses to calm them?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Cathy

Hello Cathy,

She just needs our feeding program.  The comment from the feed store guy is because the oats need balancing.. the "Just Add Oats", the RED CAL and the Weight Check Oil oil do that (naturallly!).

Bermuda Hay is awful! It is more apt to cause impaction/colic than any other But there are other hays to pick from, but as they already know that are just pricey. Just so you know for future reference, personally I have always like timothy and orchard at 50/50.

And of course NO commercial feed.

The program again will help with the weight especially the Weight Check Oil (whether weight on or weight off) and as it says on the label…. CALM Calories!

Oh yea, here is an easy direct link to my "Feed Oats" article in case you missed before:
http://askdrdan.com/2009/09/19/for-the-health-of-horses-feed-oats-2/

Hope this helps and thanks for asking! Hope all is going great for you guys!

Check out these helpful links:

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine: http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

Lora asks questions for horse with diarrhea…

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Dr. Dan,

I ran across your website in search of some help for my daughter's horse.  He is a 19 year old quarter horse gelding and he has been having diarrhea for over a month now.  We got him about two years ago and nursed him back to health as he wasn't very well taken care of. Last summer he was in excellent health and looked beautiful.

However, this winter was especially hard on him (we live in Indiana and had a terrible winter) and we noticed this spring he was having loose stools and not putting on weight. I wormed him in early spring, then again in two weeks, then every other month (thinking maybe he had worms…unfortunately, I thought that was the right thing to do, now I know better) and we upped his feed. He wasn't looking any better so we took him to the vet and had his teeth floated and the vet suggested giving him soybean oil to help put weight on him and that is when it got really bad, so we took him off the oil right away.    

For a little while (about a week) he even got to the point of having projectile water diarrhea (extreme). We called the vet and he put him on bantamine, probiotics and not grain (hay/pasture only).  He didn't get any better. We took him into the vet  and the vet said he looked pretty good for a horse that has had diarrhea, etc. and he wasn't dehydrated, surprisingly.  He tested his poo and said there was no parasites but that he was not digesting his food at all.  The vet put him on prednisone steroid because he thinks he has colitis and just cannot get over it. He wanted to reduce the inflammation. He also said to continue with the probiotic. He said to take him off pasture and only give him grass hay, steamed oats, and rabbit pellets. It has been about three weeks and he now has cow patty stools but he is losing a lot of weight and looks really bad.  

I called my vet back and he said to take him off the prednisone since it isn't working and he really had nothing else he could do for him except give him another drug called metronidizole(sp), which I told him I didn't really want to give him another drug! He didn't do any blood work so he doesn't really know if he needs an antibacterial in my opinion.  I'm not too happy with this vet!    I ran across your website last night and would love your opinion on what to do to fix him. We love this horse. He has been such a gentle, sweet horse for my daughter and I want to make him well. I am really worried because he looks and feels terrible. It is also extremely hot here this summer…98 today. He is still eating and drinking though. I am thinking about turning him back on pasture, slowly. What are your thoughts on that?  

Also, a friend told us to try a fecal transplant to reinocculate his gut. I guess you take manure from a healthy horse and make a "tea" with it and then give it orally to the sick horse. It is supposed to work wonders, but I would like to know your thoughts on this.  
Thanks so much!
Lora

Hello Lora…

Thanks for finding us!

I don't know if you have had time to look over my sites etc…. but my feeding program (see: www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com)
is the basic foundation that I hope all would consider adhering to and then supplement for support as needed. You will see that I prefer oats and as part of the program there is a supplement that is designed to enhance the oats called Just Add Oats, and then along our RED CAL that replaces salt/mineral blocks/rocks… I absolutely do not want rocks/blocks around…the other component is our Weight Check Oil (with our GMO-FREE soybean oil) that is will help maintain on or off and in my opinion "other oils" don't compare. I would start out "slowly" with the oil working up to 6-8 oz. daily.

I'm also going to suggest a couple of supplements that are going to support the immune system and detoxing and getting and keeping junk out of system— junk that includes the drugs… our Health Check is an extremely potent antioxidant product that I want you to consider along with our Aller Check and then our Gut Check product for the added probiotics/prebiotics for digestive support, which the horse needs also.

I of course, do not recommend drugs and what is already there needs to helped to be gotten rid of and not more put back in. The challenges this horse is dealing with and most of the other symptoms or challenges we, our pets and  horses have is a result of the body trying to discharge the junk.

Again, I appreciate you doing the due diligence to help and then finding and considering us!

Keep me posted and thanks for asking!

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine: http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

Bob & Laura ask about 22 yr old horse w/ cushings

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We have found out that an older horse of ours (22) has Cushing's.

He's always been a tough one to keep healthy, and since we switched to [your] Just Add Oats, Health Check, Red Cal and Bug Check, he has gone 4 years without foundering, scratches or some of the other maladies we've encountered over the years.

But, he just seemed to not be able to gain weight, wouldn't shed out completely and overall was rather lethargic. So now we have Cushing's to deal with. The vet gave him a steroid shot, and we've got him on some meds.

Any suggestions from your end?

Bob and Laura

First I have to ask before you didn't mention… Is he getting our Weight Check Oil too?

Also- the "regular" RED CAL  or Hi-MAG RED CAL ?

I suggest the "regular" RED CAL and use higher amounts of Weight Check Oil (up to 8 oz daily) for weight gain. 

I hate steroids and meds. The products you provide along with my suggestions is how I actualy handle cushings. Most actually get off the meds so…hang in there and thanks for asking.

Dr. Dan

Refer to www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Sharee asks about “Pelleted Feed for my Mare”

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Dr. Dan,

I so appreciate all your products, right now I am a avid user of Bug Check and I find excellent results from it.

I was reading about [your] product called Critical Care IR/Overweight and although my mare is not overweight at all (she weighs 878 lbs) I ended up with additional questions. My horse, Rosee a Peruvian Paso mare gets fed a "bucket" of peleted food and supplements every night. She originally was on _________________ (commercial feed) and she was doing great, but I changed when she became stall bound due to an injury to her suspensory ligaments. I changed to ______________ (commercial feed) and have noticed that she is having an increase in dry skin on her face and near her mane. No additional supplements and oil has changed besides the pelleted feed.

I was wondering what you would suggest to do so she doesn't have the dry skin and flaking anymore? Thank you again for your time and your help and for your wonderful product.

Thanks!
Sharee
 

Hi Sharee… the short and easy answer… :-)

No commercial feed and follow the "Feed For Succes"s regimen at WhatToFeedYourHorse.com to a "T"!!!

Afterwards you can and should continue to provide our targeted support products like Bug Check, Joint Check etc. as they apply to your challenges. Bug Check of course is more than just a "bug" product and is full of natural goodness that should be provided year-round if not doing so already.

Thanks for sharing about Bug Check and appreciate you digging through our information and do the work to see what is best for you and your horse.

Thanks for asking!

The Natural Horse Vet Magazine: http://www.DrDanMag.com

What To Feed Your Horse? http://www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com

Dr. Dan's Library: http://www.DrDanLibrary.com

The Natural Vet On The Net: http://TheNaturalVet.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn asks more about feeding program…

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OK i have read your very interesting article and this itch does come on every year. At the start of winter. I believed it was from different grasses. I have tried not feeding as he is in 20 acres. But he looks distressed and looses weight.

Am not sure what to do now  

Regards,

Glenn

Hello Glenn and thanks for taking a look.

First, if you haven't yet, be sure to also see the link below that will direct you to our Feeding Program- this is the foundation on which to build upon. The Weight Check Oil is great for weight issues and nothing like our RED CAL. If you have seen this info, you have already seen that I prefer oats- and whole and rolled/crimped if they are "fresh". Otherwise the rolled and crimped tend to breakdown and possibly go rancid.

For the added support providing Aller Check and Bug Check to get the "targeted" condition under control and then just for daily maintenance and goodness afterwards is my suggestion.

Then our Health Check or Joint Check (the latter is Health Check with added "joint-type" ingredients).

I truly feel you would have a new horse with the above, just as many others have through the years.

I appreciate you considering and asking.

Let me know if there is something left un-answered by our sites etc.

Easy Keeper…

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I am interested in changing my horses diet…he is an 8 y.o. Fox Trotter…not cresty, has not foundered but he is on the large size "7" on body scale and I'm worried about his weight and the possibility of problems down the road.  He is food motivated, acts like he's starved…. we have cut his food back to 1/4 cup or handful….they are only giving one flake of hay/day and he is on grass for about 12 hours/day…evening turnout in summer.  I am interested in the product "Just add oats" considering changing to oats, or a vitamin/mineral type supplement in pelleted form.  I could use some help…don't know enough about equine nutrition to go it alone but have been doing some research and I like the natural way.  Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Deb L.

Our "Just Add Oats- Double Strentgth Formula" and our "Weight Check Oil" do just that (the later is replacing our H2Oil because of higher quality and better results). Please see the article on page 21 of our magazine. Page 21 explains the need for tossing away all salt and mineral blocks. Consider our "RED CAL Hi Mag" version as a replacement for them. By the way … pellets are terrible. What goes in is not what comes out due to cooking AND I honestly don't know any horse that eats anything cooked in the wild either.

See: www.WhatToFeedYourHorse.com