Looking for feedback if any of you have done the Horse Hair Analysis testing. Is it really worth the $185? I'm on the fence about it yet. I don't know anyone near me that has done this test either. Thanks for any input!

Bear said one time, it is a history of where your horse has been. What are you looking for in this hair test ?  

I got one of my horses hair done.  It showed he was low on Calcium. Even though he was getting alfalfa cube and pellets.  Now he also gets alfalfa hay. 

Normally they cut main hair at withers and cut down to the nub. It hasn’t grown back like it was despite several years gone by. 

Vet says waste of time.. just draw blood.

I skeptical of the fact they are trying to sell you on their supplements.

Wanted to test overall if 2 of my horses are just "missing" anything..I do have one that gets muscle sore at times, doesn't stride out like I think she should, and is moody. yes I do chiro and vet checks when I feel needed. Also was curious if this test could diagnos if there's ulcers or not

Have you tested for PSSM? Or tried a low NSC diet?

  I would spend the money on pssm.With the muscle soreness,I would go that route immediately. Also,do some research quickly,if your horse is having an episode,and you try to move them,you can kill them.Knowledge is key.

Have not tested  for PSSM, I've been reading a little on this..is this just a blood test from my local vet? Or does anyplace else test with hair? I feed mostly alfalfa hay, right now it's 50/50 grass/alfalfa. I feed Purina Strategy at 4-5lbs per day per horse. No other supplements except a himalyan salt block

Also, wanted to add, I have NO experience with PSSM with my horses, so I have no idea what to feed if one is suffering from that..maybe alfalfa hay is bad? I will have to speak to my vet on this topic

For ulcers I would get them scoped. Only way to tell if they for sure have ulcers and the severity of them which will affect treatment routine. 

I bought a horse over 2 years ago and he came with a big bucket of his supplements based off HHA. He did look amazing, but he was also fed right with high quality hays. I never reordered those supplements....I’ve been tempted to do it again but just don’t see enough convincing reviews of it to spend the money. I did like their ulcer supplement though (exceed??).

I think you're talking Succeed supplement for Ulcers? I have recently been told this is great for maintenance.  Our horses all get very good 2nd cutting alfalfa/grass, not much grain, feeding 6 is pricey with grains. But we do feed the ones we ride some. Thanks

I just googled it (should have done that first - sorry!!). It’s called Excel. 

It smells minty and they get the TINIEST scoop of the powder. I don’t use it anymore (I don’t use anything - just alfalfa, timothy and bermuda hays. 

I have used HHA in the past and I was very disappointed in what I received for the money. It comes in a nice report but it is very vague.  

If I was going to have another one tested, I would use Linsey McLean, a biochemist.  About halfway down this page of her website is where the info on hair analysis is, plus a very indepth questionnaire to submit. She charges $75. https://equineplusfeed.com/supplements/

Check out Simply Equine. Their HHA is only $25. I have not done it myself, but know people who have and were happy with what they got from it.

https://www.simplyequine.org/evaluation/

There’s a big difference between Dr DePaolo’s HHA and Simply Equine’s.

DePaolo’s is an actual chemical/mineral analysis.

Simply Equine uses dowsing .

There are two tests. One is a muscle biopsy that is minimally invasive and the other is a genetic test. One form, PSSM 1 is genetic and the other may or may not be genetic (we don’t have a genetic test anyway that is proven). A muscle biopsy is really the best way to know. The vet can look under a microscope and see if there is starch that is knotting the muscles by clumping up. That is why you feed them a low NSC (non soluble carbohydrates) diet. You are trying to give them less starch/carbohydrates so they don’t have the muscle clumps which is what makes them so body sore and often ****y.  Essentially you are feeding them a low carb diet, something below 11 percent NSC ideally. There are special formulated feeds just for this. Check out purinas well solve feeds since you are already feeding purina. 

ETA the genetic test can be done through AQHA. You just pull some hair. But it won’t give you an answer if she has pssm 2. Only a biopsy can do that.

Thanks everyone, I've learned alot from this post. Also, does anyone know if Renew Gold Feed is definetly a low starch feed for something like my situation?

Bump

Look into Bluebonnets Ex-Factor Low Strach NSC% 10

and Triple Crowns Low Strach NSC% 13.5

Triple Crown Lite NSC%9.3

Go to Renew Gold's website and read and it tells a little about Pssm and other problems.. 

<>

This is not true.  Equisec does testing for PSSM 2 and all the other varients, it is a hair test.  And I agree, that sounds like PSSM.

Equiseq is NOT a reliable or trustworthy company. They have no published research to confirm their hypotheses. AND they are willing to badmouth and support others badmouthing horses based on their unproven tests. Just because they have a test they claim tests for genetic variants does not mean jack when they have not PROVEN it according to reliable and ETHICAL scientific best practices. 

I emailed Equisec, they do not test for PSSM 1, so where does a person get this done? Must I go through my local vet? I'm confused on all these PSSM types sorry. Back in the day we never tested or I guess had these problems

I bumped up one of the PSSM threads for you.  

Thanks, I'll read through all that later on :)

For PSSM 1 - testing is pretty easy and can be done through UC Davis or the AQHA 5-panel test (if your horse is AQHA registered).

Seems like more of our barrel bred horses are actually more likely to be positive for a different variant and that testing can be done through EquiSeq, or a muscle biopsy (biopsy has to be done during an 'episode' though) for PSSM2.

I PM'd you.

I have dealt with the symptoms that you are having with my gelding and doing the following has made him a new, happy horse, as well as my other horses that I didn't even think had "issues".

1. Consult with an Equine Nutritionist about your horse's diet. It is quite astonishing what balancing the diet can eliminate, especially when balancing the minerals. In my experience, this was the MOST IMPORTANT step. I recommend Dr. Elenor Kellon DVM http://www.drkellon.com/ or Leslie Maynard - Leslie can be found on facebook https://www.facebook.com/HorseHelpStore/

2. Find a Structural Integration Specialist (aka Equine Rolfer) - the gal that I use has been the only body-worker that has been able to achieve lasting results with any of my horses. I have previously used an excellent chiropractor, a massage therapist, an acupuncturist, and a holistic vet that does all of the above plus many other techniques.  All seemed to help, temporarily but I definitely had to have them out often to sustain. With SIS, after the initial series, the frequency drops dramatically given your nutrition is on point, hooves are balanced, dental is up-to-date and your tack fits.

3. My gelding was still having a bit of anxiety so I tweaked his diet to include taurine and added one Nrf2 pill and that has done the trick for him. 

I have done the 5 panel testing on a different gelding and he was negative.  I did suspect that if he did have PSSM that it would be one or more of the variants but I didn't want to spend the money to test for those so I made tweaks to his diet and his symptoms disappeared.  If you follow any of the PSSM groups on facebook, dietary changes are the first line of defense and the most effective in preventing symptoms but balancing gets left out in many instances.  So many elements affect muscle health and pliability, as well as connective tissues, immune and respiratory systems, etc.