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Expert
Posts: 1446
  
Location: California | Hello. Can someone or a few people explain Forco to me? How do you feed it? Do you still feed grain? Vitamin supplements? Is it a calorie booster? Can you feed both servings at once or do you have to feed it twice a day?
Pros and cons of forco?
From what I’ve gathered it makes their coats look fantastic. I’m looking for something “more” for my horses.
TIA! |
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Veteran
Posts: 217
| I feed it with my regular feed program with his supplements and vitamins. I used it more for a digestive aid for my nervous dude. It has helped tremendously, it no longer looks like I'm riding a cow around.
Normally I feed both servings at once. I actually have him on 3 oz instead of the 2 oz suggested for his weight. He's been stall bound due to mud and thrush issues for two months so he gets it split twice a day, but I haven't noticed it changing it's affect on him. I feed the granular.
Pros: It has helped my horse's stomach a lot. He loves the taste of it (so do the dogs)
Con: It smells like pizza pringles to me and makes me hungry 
I bought the big bag and split with my friend, and I don't have the right storage bin for it but that's a personal problem. |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I may be wrong, but I believe Forco differs from many other “digestive supplements” in that it is a PREbiotic, rather than a PRObiotic. Probiotics are live bacteria that are claimed to aid in digestion by adding “good” bacteria to the gut, thus enhancing digestion. My understanding is that most probiotics are killed by acid in the stomach (same as with humans). The pH of the stomach is very low (1-2...highly acidic) and a the stomach contents that enter the small bowel are essentially sterile. Prebiotics are basically products of fermentation that are not significantly effected by pH, and they are said to provide substrate (“food”) which enhances the “good” bacteria, thus aiding in the efficiency of digestion.
I’ve never heard a negative comment about Forco. Almost everyone swears by it. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t hurt. In fact, I think it makes a lot of sense. It’s very cheap. Basically, Forco helps in promoting bacteria that aid in digestion that break down nutrients in the gut.
I don’t believe some of the claims that it prevents ulcers or sand colic, though. I haven’t used it, but I really think I should give it a try. I think you feed it as a top dressing.
Edited by Bear 2019-01-04 8:28 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| Bear - 2019-01-04 5:03 AM
I may be wrong, but I believe Forco differs from many other “digestive supplements” in that it is a PREbiotic, rather than a PRObiotic. Probiotics are live bacteria that are claimed to aid in digestion by adding “good” bacteria to the gut, thus enhancing digestion. My understanding is that most probiotics are killed by acid in the stomach (same as with humans). The pH of the stomach is very low (1-2...highly acidic) and a the stomach contents that enter the small bowel are essentially sterile. Probiotics are basically products of fermentation that are not significantly effected by pH, and they are said to provide substrate (“food”) which enhances the “good” bacteria, thus aiding in the efficiency of digestion.
I’ve never heard a negative comment about Forco. Almost everyone swears by it. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t hurt. In fact, I think it makes a lot of sense. It’s very cheap. Basically, Forco helps in promoting bacteria that aid in digestion that break down nutrients in the gut.
I don’t believe some of the claims that it prevents ulcers or sand colic, though. I haven’t used it, but I really think I should give it a try. I think you feed it as a top dressing.
Bear explained it perfectly. It feeds the good bacteria already present in the GI tract. Horses are hind gut fermenters. Works amazing. My horses allergies are all but gone using it since allergies have their start in the hind gut. All species thrive on it. My dogs love it to. |
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 Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | I love reading about dogs loving it too! My dog goes right after it when I place it in the bucket. It's really helped him alot as he has stomach issues. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Forco is a simple product. They don’t make wild claims like some of the more questionable supplements out there. It seems to make perfect sense. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | All 5 of ours plus the 3 dogs are on it. I truly believe it helped Dan have about 6 more months than he would have; he started losing weight, coat was terrible, just looked bad. . . He bloomed on it those last few months. We don't intend to ever stop using it. And Miss Kathie (Nevertooold) is wonderful to deal with.
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2019-01-04 7:43 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1446
Location: California | Chandler's Mom - 2019-01-04 5:42 PM
All 5 of ours plus the 3 dogs are on it. I truly believe it helped Dan have about 6 more months than he would have; he started losing weight, coat was terrible, just looked bad. . . He bloomed on it those last few months. We don't intend to ever stop using it. And Miss Kathie (Nevertooold) is wonderful to deal with.
Is it something you have to buy through a dealer and not in a feed store? |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | *almost there* - 2019-01-04 11:12 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2019-01-04 5:42 PM
All 5 of ours plus the 3 dogs are on it. I truly believe it helped Dan have about 6 more months than he would have; he started losing weight, coat was terrible, just looked bad. . . He bloomed on it those last few months. We don't intend to ever stop using it. And Miss Kathie (Nevertooold) is wonderful to deal with.
Is it something you have to buy through a dealer and not in a feed store?
I buy it from Nevertooold on here. She's not on here all the time but I'm text her tomorrow and tell her about this thread. And I'll pm her too for you. |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| Most feed stores around me carry it but they only get the 5 pound containers in granular form. I order the 25 pound pellet from forco Colorado. Best prices. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Bear explained it perfectly.
FORCO is a prebiotic and it only has one job. It feeds the good bacteria and enables the digestive system to work to the best of it’s genetic abilities allows it. By doing this, by proper digestion your horse will get the most out of it’s nutrients.
My current retired horse, came to me with a lot of gas. He would carry his tail up away from his body and his manure balls were very hard. He has slow gut motility on one side so he would have frequent gas colic episodes. Since feeding FORCO, he has only had one colic episode since 2007.
It will also help with horses that have loose manure.
Are you having a specific problem that you want to give FORCO a try?
FORCO works great for animals, big and small.
I started using FORCO back in 2005. My husband was recommending to many of his teeth clients that had horses that were having weight problems.
Performance horses of all ages can benefit from the use of FORCO. The stress of hauling causes extra production of acid while competing. On those days I would give twice a day. On other days, I just feed once a day. Each horse is an individual and you need to feed accordingly. Last year I upped my 27 year old horse’s dosage to 3 ounces instead of 2. The dosage on the directions is a guideline and anytime you feel you are not getting the results you are seeking, up the dose and feed twice a day.
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Old time saying" you are what you eat". Healthy gut. Healthy body. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Nevertooold - 2019-01-05 10:43 AM
Bear explained it perfectly.
FORCO is a prebiotic and it only has one job. It feeds the good bacteria and enables the digestive system to work to the best of it’s genetic abilities allows it. By doing this, by proper digestion your horse will get the most out of it’s nutrients.
My current retired horse, came to me with a lot of gas. He would carry his tail up away from his body and his manure balls were very hard. He has slow gut motility on one side so he would have frequent gas colic episodes. Since feeding FORCO, he has only had one colic episode since 2007.
It will also help with horses that have loose manure.
Are you having a specific problem that you want to give FORCO a try?
FORCO works great for animals, big and small.
I started using FORCO back in 2005. My husband was recommending to many of his teeth clients that had horses that were having weight problems.
Performance horses of all ages can benefit from the use of FORCO. The stress of hauling causes extra production of acid while competing. On those days I would give twice a day. On other days, I just feed once a day. Each horse is an individual and you need to feed accordingly. Last year I upped my 27 year old horse’s dosage to 3 ounces instead of 2. The dosage on the directions is a guideline and anytime you feel you are not getting the results you are seeking, up the dose and feed twice a day.
I had forgotten about the loose manure; it helped Dan there also. |
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Expert
Posts: 1694
Location: Willows, CA | I add FORCO to diets that have poor quality hay, or to horses that have challenged digestive systems. It is a very well made and effective prebiotic. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| If you feed Forco would you necessarily have to feed the Omega Horseshine? |
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 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | I was trying Forco for my chronic colic horse and the vet specialists had me switch to Assure Guard Gold to get the added PRObiotic and psyllium combo. I sure wish I could have kept the Forco though because the price difference is drastically different between the two products. LOL |
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Expert
Posts: 1694
Location: Willows, CA | If you feed a high grain based feed ration ( over two pounds in a single feeding ) or a high Senior feed inclusion, then a daily probiotic may help that process through the system. If you feed no, or very little, grain and plenty of quality roughage you will benefit from a prebiotic more. I always tell people that the answer to a fully functioning digestive system is not to keep adding beneficial bacteria every day, but rather to quit killing the naturally occurring ones that are already there. There is a place for a probiotic in your program. That place is after a antibiotic treatment or post surgery, a colic, or worming. A balanced low or no grain diet should not need a daily probiotic inclusion. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Is feeding Forco still necessary/beneficial for the average horse if feeding at least 1 lb of Renew Gold per day, since the Renew Gold has yeast culture in it? Or is the Forco not necessary if feeding Renew Gold?
Edited by TBone 2019-01-07 11:32 AM
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 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | TBone - 2019-01-07 11:27 AM Is feeding Forco still necessary/beneficial for the average horse if feeding at least 1 lb of Renew Gold per day, since the Renew Gold has yeast culture in it? Or is the Forco not necessary if feeding Renew Gold? I feed both.
Eta, I also feed Omnis cubes and they are on a pasture with round bale 24/7. I also feed Forco to my dog.
Edited by cranky B4 10am 2019-01-07 12:48 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1694
Location: Willows, CA | TBone - 2019-01-07 11:27 AM
Is feeding Forco still necessary/beneficial for the average horse if feeding at least 1 lb of Renew Gold per day, since the Renew Gold has yeast culture in it? Or is the Forco not necessary if feeding Renew Gold?
I really like FORCO as a very well made product. I don’t use it in diets that have good quality hay and Renew Gold for the point you make. Renew Gold does have a proprietary prebiotic in its formula. When hay quality is questionable, getting every last calorie out of it is important, and an addition of FORCO can help that. |
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I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I feed alfalfa cubes and Renew Gold. Without the FORCI, my horse has a gas problem. Each horse is an individual and you need to feed accordingly. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Nevertooold - 2019-01-07 4:39 PM
I feed alfalfa cubes and Renew Gold. Without the FORCI, my horse has a gas problem. Each horse is an individual and you need to feed accordingly.
This is exactly what I did-when Miss Kathie told me to base Dan's needs on Dan-and it truly worked for us for those last months. |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Love Forco ... it's a staple in my feed room. Everything gets it on the property... horses, dogs and our chickens get some mixed in with their layer crumbles. Inexpensive, effective and simple. |
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Expert
Posts: 1446
Location: California | I am not having a specific problem. A local girl I know says she feeds it, and I feel her horses always look amazing even in the dead of winter. Fat with slick, shiney coats. I feed my horses well, but I feel like they look like they’re missing something and I can’t quite put my finger on what. |
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Unable to Live Without Chocolate or Coffee
Posts: 1841
| I’ve fed this to my horses with great results! Love forco But I have a question, those that feed it to your dogs. Is it the regular horse forco that you feed your dog? How much? I have a 50 lb cow dog that has a poor hair coat (losing hair) and lost weight and poor appetite. I was thinking of trying it on her along with her silver lining herbs. |
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Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| camocowgirl - 2019-08-10 11:40 PM
I’ve fed this to my horses with great results! Love forco
But I have a question, those that feed it to your dogs. Is it the regular horse forco that you feed your dog? How much?
I have a 50 lb cow dog that has a poor hair coat (losing hair) and lost weight and poor appetite. I was thinking of trying it on her along with her silver lining herbs.
It's all the same. I feed about a tablespoon mixed in their food. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | want2chase3 - 2019-08-11 10:49 AM
camocowgirl - 2019-08-10 11:40 PM
I’ve fed this to my horses with great results! Love forco
But I have a question, those that feed it to your dogs. Is it the regular horse forco that you feed your dog? How much?
I have a 50 lb cow dog that has a poor hair coat (losing hair) and lost weight and poor appetite. I was thinking of trying it on her along with her silver lining herbs.
It's all the same. I feed about a tablespoon mixed in their food.
Exactly what we do for our 3! |
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Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | ive been a Forco fan for a long time. It always makes a horse look better . My dog loves it. I have s couple dog breeders that buy 50# bags of it. |
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Unable to Live Without Chocolate or Coffee
Posts: 1841
| great to hear all the feedback on forco. do you feed a probiotic as well or just forco? |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Oh this was my favorite random research topics of last year.... well the probio vs prebio because thats a big part of this. The ONLY analogy i could understand was this: Your stomach has little army guys (good bacteria)... things like wormer, antibiotics kill them. PRObiotics - replenish your little army guys whereas PREbiotics - strengthen the ones you already have. I love Forco for daily maintenance - my gelding was able to finally be pulled off every weight supplement i tried. He never had "bad guts" from what i knew but it he was on good food. He finally was getting enough of his good food. You're all welcome for my little analogy but seriously the only way i could understand this  |
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Unable to Live Without Chocolate or Coffee
Posts: 1841
| stayceem - 2019-08-21 3:23 PM
Oh this was my favorite random research topics of last year.... well the probio vs prebio because thats a big part of this. The ONLY analogy i could understand was this:
Your stomach has little army guys (good bacteria)... things like wormer, antibiotics kill them.
PRObiotics - replenish your little army guys whereas
PREbiotics - strengthen the ones you already have.
I love Forco for daily maintenance - my gelding was able to finally be pulled off every weight supplement i tried. He never had "bad guts" from what i knew but it he was on good food. He finally was getting enough of his good food.
You're all welcome for my little analogy but seriously the only way i could understand this
Lol that totally makes sense! Thanks! |
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Forco for Dummies