Bicarbonate to counter acidity in stomach?

PapaFrita

PapaFrita

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I started thinking about this when vet suggested I put some in PF's water to help with her tooth and soreness in mouth (this was a day or 2 after our fall, not today, BTW) and then I remembered that bicarbonate is often used as an antacid. Could it help prevent windsucking? Gastric ulcers? Presumably quite a lot would be required?
 
I was advised by my vet to give my mare a dessert spoon of bicarb a day, to help with her tying up!!
Stupidly, I didn't really ask why...but she's been going alot better since she has been on it and she looks better too.....
 
thats very interesting, where do you source large amounts of bicarb? I think the "supercook" bicarb for cake baking would not go very far?
I have wondered about using bicarb as a feed supplement myself actually, being possesed of a stressy, weaving TB x who probably has ulcers...
 
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I was advised by my vet to give my mare a dessert spoon of bicarb a day, to help with her tying up!!
Stupidly, I didn't really ask why...but she's been going alot better since she has been on it and she looks better too.....

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I would assume it counteracts the build up of lactic acid in the muscles, it can be used as an ergogenic aid to delay the onset of fatigue but Im pretty sure it is illegal when competing. You will probably find a prebiotic more effective for stomach ulcers.
 
You're right Gigglepig - it is banned in large quantities due to the "Milkshake" effect - "Milkshakes" are when large amounts of sodium bicarb are mixed with a liquid and syringed prior to racing - it is thought to help the horse's muscles not to release lactic acid and therefore delays fatigue, prolonging the horse's ability to gallop.

There are better ways to combat gastric acid and gastric irritation (although I don't want to continue as I'll be accused of stealth marketing!
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Kate x
 
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You're right Gigglepig - it is banned in large quantities due to the "Milkshake" effect - "Milkshakes" are when large amounts of sodium bicarb are mixed with a liquid and syringed prior to racing - it is thought to help the horse's muscles not to release lactic acid and therefore delays fatigue, prolonging the horse's ability to gallop.

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Ohhhh, I've heard of that.... had no idea how it was done though. Didn't a trainer get fined/suspended for that quite recently? Can they actually test for that? Not that I'm planning on trying it or anything
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There are better ways to combat gastric acid and gastric irritation (although I don't want to continue as I'll be accused of stealth marketing!
blush.gif
)
Kate x

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[ QUOTE ]
thats very interesting, where do you source large amounts of bicarb? I think the "supercook" bicarb for cake baking would not go very far?
I have wondered about using bicarb as a feed supplement myself actually, being possesed of a stressy, weaving TB x who probably has ulcers...

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I've got a windsucker, which is why I was wondering. I had her on calcium carbonate in the UK, but it didn't seem to help much. Here, in Argentina, I would go to my friendly chemists and ask them to order in bulk (loose weight) for me.
 
We had a mare who tyed up, and we fed her bicarb for a few days prior to hard exercise and a day or 2 after. She never tyed up again - this was advice given a long time ago to a friend by Toddy. I used to get it from Hyperdrug, but if I recall correctly it wasn't on the website, I had to phone for it.
 
To be honest, its working for us more than anything else...have tried equine tying up supplements and the bicarb is brilliant....
thanks for explanations on why it works....that'll be why my horse has lost her terrible laziness then!!
It works so I'll be keeping using it!
I got a tall, thin tub from the chemist for £2.40 and its lasted about 2 weeks so far and I have some left...so I reckon 2 or of those a month...
I've not done any competition this year yet and I don't race!! Will have to look into it if I start any serious comps tho...
 
Hmm...just done a search on it...
Found 'Coligone'...popular digestive supplement for horses...states that it contains bicarb and also states 'Contains no banned substances'.....
 
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