Boswellia reactions.

[ycbm]

Just writing this in case people in future start using boswellia and wondering what's going onand search the forum.

I tried putting Charlie onto boswellia to protect his joints as much as possible, given the work he did far too young as a big racehorse.

After about 2 weeks he started showing signs of possible ulcers. He was grumpy in the mornings, slightly less grumpy in the evening, just before his next dose. I put two and two together about the timing, did a bit of research and found that boswellia side effects include headache and stomach pain. It's known that it reduces mucus secretions in the stomach (the ones that protect against ulcers).

I took him off it, and 24 hours later have my sunny horse back, who greets me with pricked ears and a chortle as I walk into the barn.

Just for info.
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[Fluffypiglet]

That’s super interesting as mine got “ulcery” last year and having just checked his joint supplement it’s high in boswellia! having just forked out for a months course of gastrogard I’m thinking of stopping his joint supplement which I was never sure was doing any good anyway!
thanks so much for sharing @ycbm

 

[quizzie]

.....out of interest, which version/make/dose were you using?

 

[Gallop_Away]

We had husband's standardbred on boswellia last winter and he started showing similar symptoms.
Put him on aloe juice as assumed ulcers and symptoms have stopped but we've also changed his joint supplements as well. I has no idea boswellia could do that thanks ycbm

 

[ycbm]

.....out of interest, which version/make/dose were you using?

Pure boswellia powdered resin at 30g for a 650kg horse. Many supplements won't contain enough to trigger the reaction (or, very likely, the benefits either).
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[Equi]

Hmm interesting. I might do a trial without it for a while and see if I notice anything.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I use Ourons Boswellia and feed Marshmallow root. Kept my horse comfortable both joints and gut.

 

[Roxylola]

Is it maybe worth considering using cortaflex or similar? My understanding was that boswellia was more pain relief than preventative, whereas cortaflex is more preventative. I could be wildly wrong though

 

[SEL]

I have a friend who told me it was good for guts - but is currently struggling with ulcer like symptoms.

I'll ask her to do some googling. Was it horse or human reactions you looked up? I often find there is better human research

 

[Tiddlypom]

I feed Riaflex 65% Boswellia serrata to all my three without issue, including the very sensitive mare with hind gut issues. This is with full vet approval.

What is Boswellia resin?

 

[ester]

Interesting, I’ve never seen an issue (and I was ok on it too )

 

[tda]

I just bought some, so will watch for side effects,starting to feed tonight

 

[ycbm]

I have a friend who told me it was good for guts - but is currently struggling with ulcer like symptoms.

I'll ask her to do some googling. Was it horse or human reactions you looked up? I often find there is better human research

Both.

 

[Surbie]

That's really interesting. I had Archie on it for over a year, took him off it for a bit to see whether it made any difference and now cannot get him to eat it again. This was the Feedmark version, which is now sitting in a cupboard.

I hadn't considered it might be making him feel yuk.

 

[Nicnac]

Interesting. I have one on Bozmerix as he won't touch Boswellia and another on Omega Equine Boswellia Extra who hasn't shown any symptoms of ulcers or any other discomfort. It has Boswellia Carterii as it's base which is a variant and kind to the digestive system.

 

[ycbm]

Interesting, I’ve never seen an issue (and I was ok on it too )

I'm annoyed because it can be really effective and I have one of the horses which can't take it!
.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Interesting. Well, that's horses, isn't it?


Some go bonkers on MSM for example. You just never know until you try something with THAT horse I guess.

 

[PurBee]

I feed Riaflex 65% Boswellia serrata to all my three without issue, including the very sensitive mare with hind gut issues. This is with full vet approval.

What is Boswellia resin?

Boswellia is frankincense - the resin is from the tree - it’s sap from beneath the bark.

Usually you buy it in lumps of crystal resin, but since its become popular for use with arthritic animals, the resin is ground-up into a powder.

I have the tincture, and that tastes foul, its very bitter, yet has a perfume aroma, as its used for perfume too.
It must taste foul eating it as a powdered supplement.

I havent used it for horses, but it's interesting to hear the possible side effects.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Boswellia serrata 65% smells yummy? All horses eat it fine.

 

[PurBee]

Boswellia serrata 65% smells yummy? All horses eat it fine.

Have you tasted it?

Horses eat lots of bitter things so its likely theyd go for it, but our taste buds are more ‘refined’
My horses love brewers yeast….god thats foul!

(ETA sorry, i meant from our perspective it must taste foul eating it)

 

[ycbm]

Boswellia is frankincense - the resin is from the tree - it’s sap from beneath the bark.

Usually you buy it in lumps of crystal resin, but since its become popular for use with arthritic animals, the resin is ground-up into a powder.

I have the tincture, and that tastes foul, its very bitter, yet has a perfume aroma, as its used for perfume too.
It must taste foul eating it as a powdered supplement.

I havent used it for horses, but it's interesting to hear the possible side effects.

He loved it! When I introduced it he licked it off my hand. He wouldn't eat last night's tea when it was missing, though it was gone by this morning. I am peed off mightily that it gave him every sign of having a headache, and ulcers on the left but not the right (i think this was a hangover from racing days. He used to snap at me when he was saddled for the first couple of weeks i had him, then started again on the boswellia. ) all gone today after 24 hours with none.
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[Dam1]

Thanks so much for this info. My mare has become increasingly grumpy with tacking up etc for a while. Physio says no muscle soreness/ saddle checked etc and she's OK when ridden - just grumpy. She does get boswellia (well she did) as have stopped it from today so x

 

[AdorableAlice]

Ourons do advise feeding theirs with a fat source, I add yoghurt pot of linseed with it.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

How interesting!

Thank you for posting this.

Ourons do advise feeding theirs with a fat source, I add yoghurt pot of linseed with it.

I was going to say the same, I feed a scoop of micronised linseed with mine. My mares sensitivity to touch around her girth area (ulcer medication has made no difference) started since she has been on a joint sup containing Boswellia so maybe worth trying without.

Although her joint sup only delivers 8000mg boswellia (65%) day.

 

[Floofball]

Thanks for posting this @ycbm Just researching the effects of Boswellia so will post my experience below (although still at theory stage!) for anyone searching.

Floof became poorly and dehydrated last year that escalated to innappetence and colic symptoms. He would look around at his flank and became touchy around that area on the left. He was 2 weeks into a Pergolide trail so this was stopped. He had also been on a daily bute to keep him comfortable enough to exercise as part of his weight management. This was also stopped as he wasn’t eating his feeds. After lots urinary tests, cameras into bladder, bloods that found nothing of significance, lots of electrolytes administered, he recovered. Coming into winter I put him on a high strength Boswellia joint supplement and he was a very happy sound horse - until a couple of weeks ago. Started to show signs of being uncomfortable around his left flank and almost pointing it out looking at it. Urine became dark and he started refusing his soaked hay so he went back on electrolytes. He kindly waited until a Friday night to start acting colicky - with a ‘pained’ face emergency vet out, got him comfy - didn’t eat or drink Sat. Emergency vet out again, more pain relief given and he started nibbling his food. Still didn’t eat Sunday and went downhill when pain meds wore off - emergency vet again, bloods taken, tubed and given fluids and electrolytes. Went to horsepital Monday, very dark covered droppings noted (possible blood in them) Started to eat a bit Tuesday and then thankfully was happily eating by Wednesday without pain relief. Bloods unremarkable - slightly anaemic with slightly raised wcc. Droppings and urine tested but no infection or blood found. He came home Thursday, by which time I’d had a lightbulb moment about colonic ulcers and started research - which led me to the link with NSAID use. Both times he’s been poorly the cause has been a mystery (and cost ££££) and he’s currently on a iron/Bvit supplement for the anaemia with a theory of viral infection being the cause. But I have doubts as to that happening twice within a few months and he hasn’t been on his supplement since he stopped eating. He’s feeling VERY well now which is fantastic, enjoying his recovery mash and unsoaked forage. Bloods being repeated next week and if still anaemic fecal occult bloods will be tested to check hind gut (think vets are humouring me ) I’m expecting him to be fine now but I’m highly suspicious that the Boswellia may have caused it - and really don’t want to reintroduce it. Will just have to see how he gets on without anti inflammatories and try other ways to help him if he starts struggling.

 

[ycbm]

I hope he can go back on it if it works for him but I suspect it does cause a few horses problems. I was perhaps lucky that Charlie reacted so badly to it, and changed during the day as the dose wore off, that the connection was obvious.

If anyone is looking for a joint supplement, I was recommend 4cyte on here by a vet, looked it up and found it actually had been tested to work, and boy did it work. About a week after starting it all the excess fluid disappeared from his joint. Sadly in our case that "cushion" disappearing was less than helpful but if you can catch arthritis before the cartilage is actually crumbling, I suspect 4cyte is a really good long term choice. There was some evidence that cartilage health was continuing to improve after a year of use. It looks expensive but the dose is tiny and it's cheap compared to others.
.

 

[SEL]

Thanks for posting this @ycbm Just researching the effects of Boswellia so will post my experience below (although still at theory stage!) for anyone searching.

Floof became poorly and dehydrated last year that escalated to innappetence and colic symptoms. He would look around at his flank and became touchy around that area on the left. He was 2 weeks into a Pergolide trail so this was stopped. He had also been on a daily bute to keep him comfortable enough to exercise as part of his weight management. This was also stopped as he wasn’t eating his feeds. After lots urinary tests, cameras into bladder, bloods that found nothing of significance, lots of electrolytes administered, he recovered. Coming into winter I put him on a high strength Boswellia joint supplement and he was a very happy sound horse - until a couple of weeks ago. Started to show signs of being uncomfortable around his left flank and almost pointing it out looking at it. Urine became dark and he started refusing his soaked hay so he went back on electrolytes. He kindly waited until a Friday night to start acting colicky - with a ‘pained’ face emergency vet out, got him comfy - didn’t eat or drink Sat. Emergency vet out again, more pain relief given and he started nibbling his food. Still didn’t eat Sunday and went downhill when pain meds wore off - emergency vet again, bloods taken, tubed and given fluids and electrolytes. Went to horsepital Monday, very dark covered droppings noted (possible blood in them) Started to eat a bit Tuesday and then thankfully was happily eating by Wednesday without pain relief. Bloods unremarkable - slightly anaemic with slightly raised wcc. Droppings and urine tested but no infection or blood found. He came home Thursday, by which time I’d had a lightbulb moment about colonic ulcers and started research - which led me to the link with NSAID use. Both times he’s been poorly the cause has been a mystery (and cost ££££) and he’s currently on a iron/Bvit supplement for the anaemia with a theory of viral infection being the cause. But I have doubts as to that happening twice within a few months and he hasn’t been on his supplement since he stopped eating. He’s feeling VERY well now which is fantastic, enjoying his recovery mash and unsoaked forage. Bloods being repeated next week and if still anaemic fecal occult bloods will be tested to check hind gut (think vets are humouring me ) I’m expecting him to be fine now but I’m highly suspicious that the Boswellia may have caused it - and really don’t want to reintroduce it. Will just have to see how he gets on without anti inflammatories and try other ways to help him if he starts struggling.

You've had a rough time

I've never (knowingly) had a problem with boswellia but the vet did suggest metacam if I needed to put the microcob on pain relief - she has a history of gut problems and cannot tolerate bute. Previcox is also worth considering.

I'm also have a rather impressive response with my arthritic / PSSM mare to CBD (hempine). I honestly wasn't expecting to see much difference given she's been retired due to her various problems for 3 years but until the frozen weather turned up I was actually pondering whether I could ride her again its been that good. Large dose though and pricey but worth considering if you do find you need something to support the joints.

Can I ask which supplement you were using?

 

[GrassChop]

This is really interesting. I recently posted a thread about mine seeming like she's having a bit of a flare up. I've been feeding 15g of boswellia since summer though and only had issues in the last couple of weeks with ulcer-like symptoms. Would any side effects like this be apparent quite quickly or could it take this long to flare up?
I combine it with ArthriAid which I think is absolutely brilliant and have genuinely seen improvements.

 

[Floofball]

@SEL Feedmark Extra Flex HA which I’ve always recommended as have historically noticed a significant difference in old horse with multiple arthritic issues, and Floof Really perked up when first on it. Now worried it was damaging their insides as old boy did start colicking near the end presented very differently though and vets were convinced it was strangulated lipoma, and he was on the lower boswellia dose in Activet - but I’m really paranoid about it now - I researched Extra Flex ingredients in comparison to what the vets were trying to sell me at the time (forgot the name but a well known one) and decided EF was a better, more affordable choice

Thanks to you and @ycbm for alternative suggestions - going to be very wary going forward with what he gets in his feeds! Saying that, I have already bought a digestive aid for when he’s finished his recovery mash

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I hope he can go back on it if it works for him but I suspect it does cause a few horses problems. I was perhaps lucky that Charlie reacted so badly to it, and changed during the day as the dose wore off, that the connection was obvious.

If anyone is looking for a joint supplement, I was recommend 4cyte on here by a vet, looked it up and found it actually had been tested to work, and boy did it work. About a week after starting it all the excess fluid disappeared from his joint. Sadly in our case that "cushion" disappearing was less than helpful but if you can catch arthritis before the cartilage is actually crumbling, I suspect 4cyte is a really good long term choice. There was some evidence that cartilage health was continuing to improve after a year of use. It looks expensive but the dose is tiny and it's cheap compared to others.
.

Heard good things about 4cyte, only thing that put me off before was the price. Does it work out expensive?

I’ve been using KaterK9 equine joint supplement which has no fillers, so far so good.