garlic...compromises or supports the immune system??

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blackhorse37

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Read a post on here last week where someone said that giving garlic weakens the immune system! I have always fed garlic in the summer especially as a fly repellant and have always believed that it supports the immune system!!

Now im confused and concerned that i have been doing the wrong thing!! What do you think??
 
The studies I have read have shown no conclusive proof.
It has been said it can cause anaemia but for garlic to cause anaemia it has to be fed in massive amounts.
I will keep reading the studies but until there is conclusive proof I will continue to feed my horses their garlic supplement as the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
And for the record, my horses have been tested for anaemia during a regular blood test and were not anaemic despite having been fed garlic for the last 3 years, They also have never sufferd from skin problems, respiratory problems or colic and flies don't like them!
 
My (amateur) understanding is that garlic supports the immune system which is why it is not recommended for sweet itch sufferers? Apologies if that's incorrect!
 
Yes I have read that garlic boosts the immune system, which can be good thing but not for sweet-itch which occurs when the immune system over-reacts to the midge bites. I have always fed garlic until this year when I read about it on another thread on H&H forum.
 
I have always fed my horses garlic, all year round too. Never had any problems with any of them and they flies have never bothered with them when on garlic... I have always used fresh garlic, 1 clove in their breakfast... Although you wouldn't want any kisses afterwards lol
 
I used to feed my horses fresh garlic, one clove a day, and when my horse was blood tested he showed a low red cell count. I then looked up the effects of feeding garlic to horses and decided never to feed it again.

As far as sweet itch is conserned, there are better things to feed than garlic. Brewer's yeast is said to keep midges at bay and will not make you horse anaemic.
 
Mine do like to pick at a bit of wild garlic, but that's the only time garlic is available to them. I have one pony who gets so so so itchy when she's on garlic, I stopped feeding it about 10 years ago!
 
Don't know about horses, but it's said to support the immune system in humans. Again, the evidence is weak at best.

It's a great natural fly repellant though - works well for one of the yard horse's whose allergice to the bites.
 
Now im even more confused!! Box-of-frogs...im sure that alot of people in "warmer" european climes DO eat garlic every day!! My parents lived in spain for 10 years and they definately did..its unavoidable!!

Does anyone know what is a "safe" amount to feed??
 
Having read the thread, I too am now confused! lol.

As a sort of explination of why it works for some and has concequences for others. Could it not be down to the horse? You know, every horse is different, just like people. Some people are alergic to certain foods or intorelent or their body lacks something. Horses are just the same. I think if you are really worried it would be best to consult your vet if you have any concerns about feeding garlic to your horse.
 
all i know is that when i fed it my mare had no flies on her but was covered in midges,,,, the other horse in the field was not fed it at all and had no midges.... i did a bit of googling (cos the internet is sush a rlieable source of info ;) :p) and there is a theory it detracts flies but attracts midges,,,,
i dunno tbh - but i took her off it and it saved me a few pennies and there was no difference in her
 
My boy has garlic granules in the spring / summer as a fly repellant. Has worked for him in previous years. Never had problems with low red blood cell count (anemia) or anything

Guess it is another of those things, everything in moderation.
 
I fed my last horse Garlic(the granulated kind from NAF) as she got very bothered by flies and it did seem to help this. However last summer she began to lose condition and extra feed and loads of hay plus good grass didn't make a difference. I rang the vet who came out and took blood. Turned out she was very aneamic. I researched a bit online and found some articles about garlic potentialy causing anaemia and when i spoke to my vet he said the same. She had a heamo 15 jab and i stopped the garlic and she was fine after.

i have a new horse now and won't be feeding her garlic just in case, it cost me a fortune in extra feed, supplements and vets bills last time!
 
All the allium plants can be poisonous to some animals. including cattle. It can cause problems with low blood preassure and dental problems. As a human who suffers from an allium allergy, I no longer feed it, although we have done in the past.
 
If you go to the intelligent horsemanship forum and google garlic there is a thread there about not feeding it due to the potential harm it may cause.

(I have no strong feelings either way but remember seeing it there!)
 
I thought it was supposed to be a good alround source of nutrition, good for the immune system, and good for the respiratory system.

I used to also feed it as thought it might help with flies and mites but no longer bother as I heard it is a bit harsh on their tummies - kills all the good bacteria apparently.
 
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