Brewers yeast..... Really!!

T

thatsmygirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 May 2010
Messages
4,341
Visit site
Recently iv started all my horses on brewers yeast, now iv got a very sharp joggy mare and when I ride her I come back so knackered she really is hard work, so much so nobody will exercise her if I'm away. Iv had her 11 yrs this year so know her inside out. Anyway the last couple of weeks she's been so quiet really not herself, walking instead of cantering on the spot and getting excited and fast work is now a pleasure instead of having my arms pulled out. Iv had the vet look over her as I'm not happy with the way she is and she always seems drugged! Vet couldn't come up with anything unless we start doing bloods etc.
anyway it dawned on me tonight when doing the horses dinners that brewers yeast iv read can be a calmer, iv cut it out now just to see what happens but has anybody experienced this? My others are all fine but if it does end up being the yeast it has really knocked her out
 
Your horse is probably behaving "normally" for the first time!

B.Y. is rich in B vits which combat the effects of anxiety and stress. It also encourages healthy gut flora and helps your horse absorb more nutrients from her food. It can also help to prevent ulcers (which are caused by stress).

Your horse may be sharp and jiggy if she is feeling stressed, so the B.Y. will be helping her to feel relaxed and calm.

Lots of racing yards use it and I have a friend with an ex.racer who becomes a firebreathing dragon when he doesn't get his B.Y. fix!
 
It's starkly pointing to the culprit isn't it?

How much are you giving? If its having such an undesired effect, perhaps you should discontinue.

Never noticed behavioural changes in any of mine whilst feeding it so can't comment on the effects. I just use it as a probiotic to aid digestion.

P.s. it's believed to have lots of b vits but to be honest, it's pretty negligible.

P.p.s sorry, have to ask... What is the wee like?
 
Last edited:
Tallyho I really don't know, mine are out now and only come in after work for work and dinner etc so haven't seen her wee for a while.
She's only getting a NAF blue scoop, the bigger size scoop
 
YAY BEER!

oh wait, wrong answer.

Think you may need to look at moderation of the amounts given (tried this many moons ago and found we had to get the "mix" right between lethargy and energy in the output).
 
. B vits will just be weed out if excess is given but as a very large dose its very soothing on the nervous system so maybe halve the dose and see how that goes
the dose for a horse is 40g a day
 
thatsmygirl said:
So Jax you found it had a calming effect as well?
Click to expand...


Was used on a coloured we had, and IIRC too much had the opposite effect, but in moderation it made the balance quite effective, gave them energy/life but not too OTT when got right.

It is like all subs you can give, they are not a be all/end all they may/may not work or need that bit of tinkering to get the balance right for you.
 
thatsmygirl said:
Tallyho I really don't know, mine are out now and only come in after work for work and dinner etc so haven't seen her wee for a while.
She's only getting a NAF blue scoop, the bigger size scoop
Click to expand...

Hmmm, maybe too much and it will have an effect on the gut flora/fauna most definitely. So, just reduce the amount you give after a break. I literally sprinkle on a teaspoonful. You will find an equilibrium as long as there are no other problems.

Reason I ask about wee is, if the wee is cloudy yellow then BY is not your problem. What else is she getting in terms of feed?
 
thatsmygirl said:
So Jax you found it had a calming effect as well?
Click to expand...

Jax said:
Was used on a coloured we had, and IIRC too much had the opposite effect, but in moderation it made the balance quite effective, gave them energy/life but not too OTT when got right.

It is like all subs you can give, they are not a be all/end all they may/may not work or need that bit of tinkering to get the balance right for you.
Click to expand...

Had a discussion with my folks today on this and we think it was the mare was "happier" so that "calmed" her rather than then BY doing it.
 
Tallyho feed wise she's on fast fibre, equimins tip top supplement, brewers yeast and a few spillers high fibre cubes.
 
Interesting, I've just ordered some for my mare as she has a sensitive stomach among other things. I hope it doesn't make her more lethargic as she can be quite lazy, but she is also quite spooky to ride at times and can stress, so if she is more chilled I guess it will be good overall!
 
You could switch to yea-sacc which is a very specific strain of yeast rather than BY.

It is more expensive but I have found it is better for one sensitive andalusian.
 
To those who are interested, as you know I didn't give her brewers yeast yesterday and hasn't had any today, iv rode tonight and she's back to her old self so it def is the brewers yeast. Iv given her half a scoop in her dinner tonight so I'm going to find the right level for her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top