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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
  
| Love the calming cookies! I had a mare I had to take to the vet and she ended up staying the night. The mare she runs with had to go in the other pen with with to alpha horses. They had her a nervous wreck. I fed her 2 cookies and this morning she was much calmer and the other 2 horses were ignoring her. This is usually a quiet mare but I knew she was upset and the cookies settled her down. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | For a daily supplement I use Animal Element Detox which has added Magnesium in it or if I have one on stall rest I add Raspberry Leaves also by Animal Element. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I have used Smart Pak Ultra Calm with results. |
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Location: In my own little world | Mainer-racer - 2016-03-15 7:21 AM ropenrun - 2016-03-15 3:29 AM Read up on giving magnesium to horses. It is extremely inexpensive.
http://performanceequinenutrition.com/magnesium-101/magnesium-mineral-superhero/
I read that article and added Mag and it made a huge difference!
Yep. And if a person just does a little research they can check the ingredients of the more expensive products, you can see what the base element is and buy that for a fraction of the price and accompish the same thing. When you can buy magnesium for under $20 for 45 or 60 servngs why would you pay for a product that has a bunch of additional fillers, get 5 doses for $50? That's .33 per serving vs $10. You are paying a fortune for someone's endorsement. I personally don't see how so many people can afford to pay those kind of prices to give a product to their horse if you are not making your living going down the road to rodeos and big jackpots. And many of those are endorsed so they get it either free or at cost. I'm all about making a horse feel it's best but man, it gets just too darn expensive.
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
 
Location: 31 lengths farms | I actually added magnesium to my mare's diet when she started with the head shaker issue. It helps but if you have a truly nervous/anxious/bi-polar horse Mag alone doesn't do the trick. At least on my two high wire acts. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| ropenrun - 2016-03-15 10:54 AM
Mainer-racer - 2016-03-15 7:21 AM ropenrun - 2016-03-15 3:29 AM Read up on giving magnesium to horses. It is extremely inexpensive.
http://performanceequinenutrition.com/magnesium-101/magnesium-mineral-superhero/
I read that article and added Mag and it made a huge difference!
I couldnt agree more! Look at the ingredients!! Then find sources of those ingredients. I love curost adapt and calm and its cheap. But I also like the curost Stomach which is simply Marshmallow Root and Aloe Vera powder. I found those items separate and PURE for about 1/3 the cost. So I mix my own. Everyone always says " I'm actually saving money by feeding this or that supplement". Depends on the part of the country your from. This is not the case in CA where I pay 20+ dollars a bale for quality forage. I have to cut corners once in a while. |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | HOw do you know if you are giving it in the right amounts Flit? NOt bagging on you at all as I have 3 on Cur-ost and there are definitely things I have to do without in order to do that. And how do you make sure its the right levels of what you need in the first place, quality I guess I mean? |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | My concern with buying the individual ingredients is knowing whether or not you are getting the purest form. Some of the places that market herbs for supplementation either cut the herb or there can even be a high metal count....if you find that the herb is much cheaper than other places, there is likely a reason. I know Dr. Schell tests every batch of every herb he receives to be sure that it is the purest form possible and doesn't have this high metal count. Could he be using the less expensive stuff, yep, as could any other supplement company out there, but he has earned my trust through what I have seen his products do time and time again in both horses and people. It's not worth it to me to risk my health or my horses health to save a few dollars.
There are always ways to cut corners, and with that comes the liability on your end should you get a "bad" batch. It's not worth it to me. I'll leave the mixing, the dosage, and the QC requirements to those who have the ability, education, and tools to test it and I will buy from them.
Hay is expensive in my region too, especially quality hay. I buy small compressed alfalfa for $15.00 a bale. I could find it cheaper in bulk, but don't have anywhere to store a large quantity of hay where the weather can't get to it. That being said, I refuse to "cut corners" for my horses nutrition or buy herbs that haven't been tested by someone other than the company selling it.
Edited by Herbie 2016-03-16 9:27 AM
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Location: California | Calm N Cool pellets. If you just want to give on race day, there is the paste form. Very very popular on the racetrack. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | run n rate - 2016-03-15 1:03 PM
I actually added magnesium to my mare's diet when she started with the head shaker issue. It helps but if you have a truly nervous/anxious/bi-polar horse Mag alone doesn't do the trick. At least on my two high wire acts.
Can you tell me more about your head shaker issue? My mare shakes her head when she gets nervous. Does the magnesium really help? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 959
Location: Borger, Tx | Does anyone know if I can feed the MagRestore with the Pozzi pellets? After reading the article about Mag, my mare has a bunch of those symptoms! |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | TheDutchMan01 - 2016-03-15 9:47 PM run n rate - 2016-03-15 1:03 PM I actually added magnesium to my mare's diet when she started with the head shaker issue. It helps but if you have a truly nervous/anxious/bi-polar horse Mag alone doesn't do the trick. At least on my two high wire acts. Can you tell me more about your head shaker issue? My mare shakes her head when she gets nervous. Does the magnesium really help?
I tried straight Magnesium on one of my mares also it did seem to 'relax' her per say, but nothing like the results I have from Cur-OST. |
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It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | run n rate - 2016-03-15 3:59 PM HOw do you know if you are giving it in the right amounts Flit? NOt bagging on you at all as I have 3 on Cur-ost and there are definitely things I have to do without in order to do that. And how do you make sure its the right levels of what you need in the first place, quality I guess I mean?
I totally agree, I would be second guessing myself like crazy!! I've eliminated everything 'extra' that I thought was helping but it was just band aiding the cause of the issues. When I did that, and changed to whole foods, the cost is so minimal!
Before I was spending 25-35 on 1 bag of feed.... plus supplements/aides up the ying yang, ouch. |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | TheDutchMan01 - 2016-03-16 7:47 PM
run n rate - 2016-03-15 1:03 PM
I actually added magnesium to my mare's diet when she started with the head shaker issue. It helps but if you have a truly nervous/anxious/bi-polar horse Mag alone doesn't do the trick. At least on my two high wire acts.
Can you tell me more about your head shaker issue? My mare shakes her head when she gets nervous. Does the magnesium really help?
About 3 years ago she started rubbing her face agressively on her forelegs, that was the first thing I noticed on her. Then she started really flinching when you put the halter on her, I ended up buying her a warmblood halter a few sizes too big, couldn't ride her in a nose band of any kind or she constantly shook her head. Then she started doing this "seeing ghosts" we called it, where I would throw feed into her feeder and she'd spook from the little hay particles that floated, windy days were really bad for her, she stood with her butt to the wind and try to hide her head between her front legs. Cloudy days were a bit better than sunny days. I had the vet out to check her ears and her teeth, both clean.
Then one day I saddled her up, stepped on and had walked maybe 10 feet and she launched herself into the air, shaking her head, grabbed a hold of her which just made the situation worse. We covered about 60ft of the 80ft worked up area in 3 jumps in felt like, I finally realized me pulling on her face was making the situation worse and let loose of contact, she finally stopped and I got off quickly. My first instinct was to have a come to Jesus meeting with her, then realized she was terrified and hurting. Her eye reminded me of when I have a migraine. I got her unsaddled right there, put the rein around her neck and removed the bridle carefully and got her put up and started doing some more research. Had the vet out again and asked specifically about EPM because quite a few people kept saying that their EPM horses reacted a bit like this mare and also to check symptoms of Head Shakers which is the trangeminal (sp) nerve being inflamed. The vet again checked ears and teeth and then tried to check nostrils, when he went to check nostrils she again launched herself and started rubbing her face on her forelegs again so hard she almost fell over. He gave her a sedative and checked her nostrils again, no obstructions. But she did start sneezing almost uncontrolably for a few minutes afterwards. It took a few days for the Cyproheptadine the RX antihistamine to come in but in the meantime he had me add the Magnesium to her feed and when I was doing more research on HSS they also recommended Melatonin which we started her on also. I also kept her Flymask on her to help bloke UV and to some extent the wind from her face, and she was able to stand the pressure of her halter again and quit the excessive rubbing of her face on her forelegs. The Cypro helped and I got to start riding her again but I felt she was lethargic and after reading a bit more the chances of colic on it are increased also. I moved her over to ENC Joint plus herbs and that was a much better fit for her however windy days were still bad for her, anything around 10 MPH and she was had issues. AFter finding the Cur-ost I've been able to ride evern on windy days, we've been able to get her collected work back were before any pressure on her poll and or TMJ area still was a little too much for her. |
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| run n rate - 2016-03-15 1:59 PM
HOw do you know if you are giving it in the right amounts Flit? NOt bagging on you at all as I have 3 on Cur-ost and there are definitely things I have to do without in order to do that. And how do you make sure its the right levels of what you need in the first place, quality I guess I mean?
The dosage for the Curost Stomach is right on the bag. Each serving is 13.5grams of each of the 2 ingredients. I did some research and shopping before I decided on a source for those 2 ingredients. What I get is 100% human grade pure. SO far there has been no lapse in effectiveness. Now there would be no way to replicate say the TOTAL or any of the other formulas. Pretty complicated. But Stomach is easy and saves me 140 a month for 2 horses. I switched my Allergy horse over to Forefront Respiratory and am getting awesome results with that. Its a 60 day supply for 59.00. I still use Curost PURE when needed and am giving one horse Nourish for a while.
I do understand everyone's concerns above with regards to ingredients etc. My horses are on a pure whole grains ( minimal amount) diet etc. Better than quality forage etc. I am going to be stepping back for a while from BHW and second vet. In fact I just need to let my horses be horses and they will take care of themselves. I found myself " Looking" for issues where I never did before. Causing myself a lot of stress I don't need. I work 14 hour days and manage to ride 2 horses as well and compete on most weekends. I'm keeping it simple... lol
I have been researching the Excel formula from Depaulo Equine and that looks pretty darn promising pricewise and would save me having to mix my own.
Edited by FLITASTIC 2016-03-16 1:51 PM
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Location: In my own little world | I purchase from my local reputable health food store. I used to think it was difficult to convert but it is not. There are some things I would never attempt but many are easy to figure. And many health food stores have an herbalist on staff that are very helpful. Yes I am taking my chance but we take a chance everytime we purchase anything from anyone. We figure our own food is safe when we purchase it from the store too and look at how many food recalls there have been for lettuce, eggs, yada yada. I just can't afford to pay the cost that some of these companies are charging for their products when much of it is fillers. (And I'm not dissing on any particular company or product). I'm not against making a profit but I am against highway robbery. You list "equine" on the label and the price goes up substancially. I just saw the other day and ad for Bach Remedy. The price in the pet section was $5 higher than in the human section...the very same thing because they know we will go to the end of the world for our animals. There is a wormer that is the same way. You can go to the cattle section and by a very large tube of wormer that will worm 11-12 horses for $50 or you buy the very same wormer in the horse section where it is only sold in individual doses @ $10 a dose. Hmm, pay $120 or pay $50?
There are a lot of herbal remedy books published that are very helpful. If you have the cashflow and can afford it that is awesome but unfortunately I don't. I have more time (to do my research) than I have money (to pay for something simple that is expensive).
But everyone has to do what works best for them. I do giggle when horse people start complaining about the pharmaceutical companies ripping them off when they have a shopping cart full of overpriced products to treat their horses with. |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | FLITASTIC - 2016-03-17 11:40 AM
run n rate - 2016-03-15 1:59 PM
HOw do you know if you are giving it in the right amounts Flit? NOt bagging on you at all as I have 3 on Cur-ost and there are definitely things I have to do without in order to do that. And how do you make sure its the right levels of what you need in the first place, quality I guess I mean?
The dosage for the Curost Stomach is right on the bag. Each serving is 13.5grams of each of the 2 ingredients. I did some research and shopping before I decided on a source for those 2 ingredients. What I get is 100% human grade pure. SO far there has been no lapse in effectiveness. Now there would be no way to replicate say the TOTAL or any of the other formulas. Pretty complicated. But Stomach is easy and saves me 140 a month for 2 horses. I switched my Allergy horse over to Forefront Respiratory and am getting awesome results with that. Its a 60 day supply for 59.00. I still use Curost PURE when needed and am giving one horse Nourish for a while.
I do understand everyone's concerns above with regards to ingredients etc. My horses are on a pure whole grains ( minimal amount ) diet etc. Better than quality forage etc. I am going to be stepping back for a while from BHW and second vet. In fact I just need to let my horses be horses and they will take care of themselves. I found myself " Looking" for issues where I never did before. Causing myself a lot of stress I don't need. I work 14 hour days and manage to ride 2 horses as well and compete on most weekends. I'm keeping it simple... lol
I have been researching the Excel formula from Depaulo Equine and that looks pretty darn promising pricewise and would save me having to mix my own.
Thank you for the insights! Appreciate it. |
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | I've had my 6 year old appendix gelding on vita calm and raspberry leaves. I didn't notice a difference. Tried THE calming cookies and wow, the difference was amazing! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | Runaway - 2016-03-15 9:16 AM
wyoming barrel racer - 2016-03-15 11:17 AM I have a couple of samples left of the Calming Cookies. They are pretty well liked by those that try them. I do have Calming Powder too for those that don't feed cookies.
I recently tried the THE calming cookies and was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked. Definitely helped calm but did not take the run out of the horse. Easy to use, easy to store.
I must be the odd one out, I felt that the cookies made them instantly calm for 10 minutes and then made them HOT HOT HOT. Won't purchase again unfortunately. I really wanted to like them! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
| Magnesium is great for targeting muscle tension, but if the underlying issue is the gut, it won't really help for calming. |
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