Garlic/behaviour problems?

[Serianas]

Hi all,

I was just wondering if Garlic could cause behavioural problems in horses. Pony has been an absolute star lately but about a week ago I started feeding garlic granules for the upcoming fly season, and my goodness he has been a grump! He wont ride forward from my leg, is spooking at things he isn’t afraid of (afraid of nothing is this horse!) and has been stubborn when mounting. Has anyone experienced side effects to garlic?

 

[mega spoilt ponies]

Garlic aggravates gastric ulcers. The symptoms you describe are gastric ulcer sypmtoms.

 

[Charlie007]

Garlic aggravates gastric ulcers. The symptoms you describe are gastric ulcer sypmtoms.

Second this

 

[Serianas]

And if it isnt gastric ulcers? simply incase i have the vet out and have him scoped and there arent any... I like to think of every posibilty

 

[Charlie007]

If it were me, before going down the scoping route in would make a few changes if possible. Obviously stop the garlic immediately. Only feed high fibre, no sugar. Ad lib forage, be that hay or grass, make sure his tummy is full at all times. Handful of chaff/alfalfa before riding. 24/7 turnout is also advised but not always possible.

Of course it's up to you re scoping but in the end, after the ulcers are treated it comes down to maintenance.

Of course he could just be uncomfortable if he has has the spring grass?? There are loads of supplements on the market to help his discomfort.

 

[tallyho!]

Yes it's well known that garlic can cause digestive upset and can exacerbate any underlying problems. So since the reaction is so bad, I would think ulcers are present. It's definitely a good indication!

You don't "need" to call the vet as all they will do is confirm and suggest diet modification and give you expensive omeprazole. It's a good idea though...

So, as Charlie007 says, stop the garlic and go back to raw basics.

 

[mega spoilt ponies]

If he has ulcers it is likely he will need that expensive and effective omeprazole treatment. Diet/management changes are advised once the ulcers are healed and for prevention of future recurrence. Cut changes alone would not be likely to heal ulcers that are already present, and the various supplements on the market usually just supress symptoms in already present ulcers.

I would personally scope so you know what you are dealing with and if treatment is needed and not just potentially putting a light band aid over the worst symptoms.

 

[Serianas]

Ok garlic has gone! horrible smelly stuff! back to just unmollassed chop and light balancer, also a second haynet to make sure he has a full tummy. We will see how he goes then run to the vet if he is still being a grump.

 

[YorksG]

Garlic is on the poisons list. I am allergic to all alliums, and I don't have ulcers. Any change of behaviour which can be linked to feed changes, would suggest that the feed is not good for that particular animal.

 

[tallyho!]

If he has ulcers it is likely he will need that expensive and effective omeprazole treatment. Diet/management changes are advised once the ulcers are healed and for prevention of future recurrence. Cut changes alone would not be likely to heal ulcers that are already present, and the various supplements on the market usually just supress symptoms in already present ulcers.

I would personally scope so you know what you are dealing with and if treatment is needed and not just potentially putting a light band aid over the worst symptoms.

Not necessarily... ulcers are a symptom of a gut irritation or excess acid and diet modification should be carried out first. They should heal on their own without any intervention with ppi's. When symptoms persist once you have removed any foodstuffs that cause excess acid or irritation, then there may be an underlying issue a vet can help with.

Omeprazole has it's side effects and is not a cure for ulcers, it just reduces acid and you can do that just by changing the diet.