Gut/digestive issues...

[Maz55]

My mare is a little stress head and very spooky in certain places - she has been since i've had her although she has settled a lot. She suffers with separation anxiety. She isn't consistent though. Ive tried every calmer under the sun going and nothing has really seemed to help apart from calming cookies but these aren't a long term solution. Its now been suggested to me that her issues might be gut related. I have recently been giving her brewers yeast and there is a slight change in her demeanour so there might be something in this - by the way back is checked regularly as are teeth and saddle so no issues there and this isn't enough of an issue to warrant a vet visit. In fact she always behaves impeccably and is calm when at the vets (as she often is away from home). Having spent £100s on calmers etc i really don't want to fork out for an expensive gut supplement if it isn't going to work - so is there anything fairly cheap i can try short term that will indicate if i really am looking at a gut issue or if it is just the way she is?

 

[emfen1305]

A lot of people use Equishure if they suspect hind gut issues - it's about £40 for anywhere between 10 - 20 days supply depending on your usage but it works pretty quickly. I am currently feeding it alongside Peptizole for my lad's ulcer treatment. You could always try a gut balancer like Protexin or the Equinox stuff (think it's brewers yeast based, there is a specific gut one) or a gut friendly feed like the keyflow pink mash which has the supplements in it already. I can't say for sure whether anything actually works but if you know what sets her off you might have a good idea if it is working..

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My mare is a little stress head and very spooky in certain places - she has been since i've had her although she has settled a lot. She suffers with separation anxiety. She isn't consistent though. Ive tried every calmer under the sun going and nothing has really seemed to help apart from calming cookies but these aren't a long term solution. Its now been suggested to me that her issues might be gut related. I have recently been giving her brewers yeast and there is a slight change in her demeanour so there might be something in this - by the way back is checked regularly as are teeth and saddle so no issues there and this isn't enough of an issue to warrant a vet visit. In fact she always behaves impeccably and is calm when at the vets (as she often is away from home). Having spent £100s on calmers etc i really don't want to fork out for an expensive gut supplement if it isn't going to work - so is there anything fairly cheap i can try short term that will indicate if i really am looking at a gut issue or if it is just the way she is?

Having my pony just diagnosed with IBD I strongly recommend you get the vet to check before you spend anymore on calmers or supplements

 

[Gypley]

I would advise continuing with the Brewers Yeast. It has a lot of benefits to feeding including coat condition, digestion and can act as a calmer, but I only noticed the calming effects after feeding for approx. 6 months, but I suppose every horse is different. I would however keep feeding as its a relatively cheap supplement in the great scheme of things!
I would also add Protexin Gut Balancer at two scoops a day then drop to one scoop after a week.

 

[Maz55]

What were the symptoms IluvCowparsley?

 

[Leo Walker]

Pink mash has protexin in and is very good for any sort of suspected gut/stomach issues.

 

[Maz55]

Gypley doesn't protexin include brewers yeast? Anyone had results with pink powder - protexin is pricey?

 

[emfen1305]

I didn't notice any difference on pink powder but did on the gut balancer, horse didnt have any runny poos last winter whereas did the winter before on pink powder- i didn't think the protexin was too expensive, £18 for 70 day supply..

 

[Pearlsasinger]

What do you feed her on? I used to own the most erratic horse on the planet, I eventually found out that she couldn't tolerate cereals, or refined sugar in even the tiniest amounts. I overhauled her diet and she changed beyond all recognition - unless a passerby had fed her, when she reverted to her previous madness, spooking at everything.

 

[Maz55]

Pearlsasinger her feed is cereal molasses and alfalfa free. Currently thunderbrook chaff daily essentials balancer and brewers yeast although I need to find a cheaper alternative as the cost is crippling me!! Thinking of swapping the daily essentials for pink powder but a bit concerned about the maltodextrin (sugar?)

 

[Maz55]

Emfen1305 that's interesting although her poos are generally fine (sometimes strong!!) I only thought pp because it contains the vits and mins as well avoiding the need for balancer

 

[Leo Walker]

Pearlsasinger her feed is cereal molasses and alfalfa free. Currently thunderbrook chaff daily essentials balancer and brewers yeast although I need to find a cheaper alternative as the cost is crippling me!! Thinking of swapping the daily essentials for pink powder but a bit concerned about the maltodextrin (sugar?)

Progressive earth do a balancer that works out about £10 a month. Much better for them than thunderbrooks or pink powder as well.

 

[Maz55]

Thanks Pearlsasinger I'll look into that! 😁

 

[little.soldier]

My mare is quite an anxious sort too, fine on the ground, but ridden she gets really tense and anxious. I too have tried calmers, but haven't found them to be useful. I did start her on the Protexin gut balancer and this has made a big difference. I have found that her poos are of a much more normal consistency (i.e. not so loose). I can get it online for £18 for about 2-3 months supply, so fairly cost effective to feed too. I've also focused on diet, trying to make everything under 10% sugar and starch. One of the girls at the yard feeds Pink Mash, to her TB mare who struggles to keep weight on and she rates it too. Good luck with your girl.

 

[JillA]

Something to line the gut, such as an oil or mucus like slippery elm, something to reduce the acidity such as bicarb and something to boost the gut bacteria, such as yeasacc or live yoghurt. There are lots of ideas on here https://equinenutritionnerd.com/201...tions-for-stomach-ulcer-treatment-prevention/

 

[Maz55]

Something to line the gut, such as an oil or mucus like slippery elm, something to reduce the acidity such as bicarb and something to boost the gut bacteria, such as yeasacc or live yoghurt. There are lots of ideas on here https://equinenutritionnerd.com/201...tions-for-stomach-ulcer-treatment-prevention/

Thank you all for your replies. I have her on acid ease now and it seems to be helping!