Feeding for possible EPSM

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gryff

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I have read through all the threads that come up through the search function and read beth valentines website but my head is going round and round and round and...

I'm starting to think that my little Arab mare may be suffering from a mild form of EPSM. She's seen a physio and saddler over the last 8 weeks. Both have said she just feels 'tight' through all her muscles - nothing specific but both commented on it. Now, I've always noticed this bit just thought I was comparing a fit 'blood' horse with my not-so-fit Section D!

She's never shown any signs of tying up, but she is 'odd' in her back end, recently has been girthy, she can be a bit ears back at being asked to canter on the flat (but flies up a hill). Her weight has always been good and she is a good doer generally. She is currently fed a handful of hifi molasses free, a small half handful of micronised linseed and Pro balance and I've recently added a tablespoon of salt.

I would like, I think, to trial a EPSM diet before going down the route of mysel biopsies, etc, so am after advice on doing this. Any help gratefully appreciated.
 
Hi Gryff I have recently gone through this with my QH, I suspected he had ESPM. I would advise to do a DNA test ASAP as this will confirm if positive or negative for type 1 which I believe is the most common, I got my boys done through animal genetics very simple and easy to do approx 30 mane or tail hairs with the root still attached posted off and results back in approximately 7 days. My boy thankfully came back n/n :-) also if you google yahoo ESPM there is a yahoo group you can join which has a massive wealth of information from owners and professionals including diet changes etc. I was all prepared for a positive result and had decided to try him with Alcar as opposed to a high oil diet as he is already a good doer! Hope some of this helps if you would like to chat more feel free to pm me :-)
 
Hi. Although my horse doesn't have symptoms, I was recommended to try this diet because he was very lethargic and research suggests that it suits his 'type'. I'm no expert, I just read up and opted for Alfa A Oil with Equi Jewel. He looks fab, he is not overweight and although he is not a bundle of energy, he is better and has improved stamina. I hope you get to the bottom of it.
 
Do your own research but basically an EPSM diet it lots of oils and absolutely no grains. Unmollased beet, rice bran, grass or hay pellets, flax, are some of the recommended feeds. I guess it depends on what they need. Also to the rations add veg or sunflower oil. When doing the research you will see it's higher than just a dollap. Feed companies make special feeds but I find they are made with soya and I really do believe this is a serious problem for most horses. However that is my take only.

The DNA test is great advice and also contact member Lucy Priory as I believe she is well up on this topic.

Terri
 
As mavetheravehorsey says, try ALCAR (acetyl L carnitine), you can order it online from bodybuilding sites, I use one called bulkpowders.co.uk. Its an amino acid and quite safe to feed and if your horse is a good doer, probably better than trying a high-oil diet. Start with a teaspoon and build up to 2 or 3, depending on size of horse. Lots of info online about it. Good luck.
 
Hollybear that's the site I used to purchase the ALCAR too - def wanted to go down that route than the oil as a first option for my boy had I needed to

Gryff I haven't done any further investigations yet as he didn't actually have much symptoms or ever tied up, just a few things that could actually be put down to a many simple things but due to the prevalence in the QH breed I tested as £30 put my mind at rest! Good luck with it all if you need someone to talk to about it just let me know :-)
 
My ISH is on DMG powder, which has made a dramatic difference to him. It's about £40 + postage from Equine Answers, & a tub lasts ages. Without it, he doesn't want to work & will stamp, swish tail, ears flat etc til he's warmed up, which takes 25 to 30 mins. On it, he's as good as he's going to get straight away & will work (to the extent that he's able) as soon as you get on.

There is a FB page for EPSM & everyone shares their ideas & experiences.

T x
 
Brilliant - thanks for the advice everyone. Will definitely try the Alcar as that sounds better for my good doer. Fingers crossed now!!
 
DNA test will only tell you if it is the hereditary type. Ours was clear but biopsy showed he had the other type. A blood test to look at muscle enzymes is your best bet which is relatively cheap. Our pony picked up a virus a year ago and we have had a long year of tests and biopsies. I don't think he will ever get back to how he was. We feed Alfalfa oil and Re-leve. He also gets the DMG powder and is currently on theTENS challenged muscles to give him an extra boost during the summer. The blood test will give you evidence of raised levels and long term damage. For your sake I hope all is ok as it is a really infuriating condition. He was happily jumping BE 100 a year ago and now finds sj a struggle. Good luck.
 
My boy has become a different horse since finding out he has pssm. Have him on D&H ERS pellets and alfa-a oil plus supps, he is twice the size he was and barely shivers now. Farrier can get a shoe on no prob but before took three of us to hold him up and then it was a struggle!!

Pssm feeds for good doers are everywhere - phone the feed lines, they give great advice and send you loads of freebies to try too. It was way harder finding a high energy pssm feed... Plus my boy won't touch a feed if there's pure oil in it, he starved for weeks when I initially tried to get him on a pssm diet!! Thankfully he loves the pellets!!

He has become a totally different horse now, so much more awake and way more horse to ride. Suddenly he feels his 17hh!!! It's like riding a Wb now instead of a TB!'
 
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