Has anyone had the Equibiome test done?

[Dru]

I think that's exactly the point. They even say that the foods are an alternative to sourcing more variety e.g. #2 is instead of oily herbs. The reality is that for those of us on livery we don't have the option to reseed fields with more variety and may not have access to hedges etc.

 

[SEL]

My report has arrived. Overall she's pretty close to target for most categories and her gut is classed as stable overall in the new report format. The only things flagged are low biome diversity, very low prevotella (which could be contributing to acidosis, which matches her symptoms) and in the pathogens section she has sky high levels of leptospira as well as slightly too high levels for 3 other things. The advice given is that if any of those are high I should seek vet advice, which is a bit alarming.

Joined the results lounge and the general consensus seems to be that it's a load of twaddle. I was also advised to use biome foods #2, 3, 6 and 7 but #3 doesn't exist yet!

Fortunately, I've had her on Ron Fields Pre-Ulc for a week and it does seem to have had a positive impact on her. I was able to groom her this weekend for the first time in weeks and even rode her briefly today at walk. Will keep her on it until it runs out but I've ordered a full treatment dose of Abler as it was just too much seeing her so bad when I know I can fix it, at least temporarily.

Which bits are supposed to be twaddle? I was one of the early test people and found the pathogen report (which was free then) the most useful bit. I tested off the back of some raised liver enzymes which we didn't know the reason for. Mine had high lepto and high borrellia. I couldn't persuade the vet to test for Lyme because we're not in a high risk area and Carol at Equibiome had no idea then what level was clinically significant.

I spent about 6 months not just adding Equibiome herbs but also some designed to help the gut and immune system. Never retested so can't tell if the pathogen level changed but liver results finally started to come down and her coat and gut improved.

 

[Dru]

Lots of the comments in the lounge question its usefulness as they've seen no difference after using the biome foods. Also comments on the ambiguity of the reports. Mine is the new format and although it's pretty clear it's stripped out the detail you used to get and is contradictory in places. That's just scanning though the most recent ones though, hence the twaddle comment.

In all honestly I was hoping to have far more of an imbalance as that could at least have potentially explained the recurrent ulcers. I'll wait and see what vet says about the pathogens.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Which bits are supposed to be twaddle?

Indeed. Please do elucidate.

I did follow the given protocol given post results, with were way off scale. Her imbalances were epic .

Not sure that I'd fork out for an expensive test and then be prepared from randomers to believe that the advice given was 'twaddle' without actually first trying to follow that advice.

It has been a life saver for my mare. Next stop was PTS if she didn't improve.

 

[Dru]

I didn't say I thought it was nonsense, I said that's the impression that the comments in the lounge gave me of other peoples' opinions.

I also didn't say I wasn't going to follow the advice, although have to wait for one of the products to exist first. At this point I'll try anything to help my horse.

 

[PurBee]

I didn't say I thought it was nonsense, I said that's the impression that the comments in the lounge gave me of other peoples' opinions.

I also didn't say I wasn't going to follow the advice, although have to wait for one of the products to exist first. At this point I'll try anything to help my horse.

The lepto and pathogens results are revealing and could well be a causal root of your horses issues. I’d follow-up the lepto etc and get those treated/tested by vet, as these type of infections are insidious, causing symptoms easily passed-off as other things. These results help pinpoint targeted treatment.
I would be chuffed the biome test has picked up this as it gives a clue whereas vet tests are possible for soooo many things, its hard to know where to start, and have a wallet deep enough.
For just a (relatively) minimal cost it’s given plenty of clues of imbalances to work on.

Worst results are when theres a problem but tests show everything fairly normal…that’s extremely frustrating.

 

[ycbm]

The reality is that for those of us on livery we don't have the option to reseed fields with more variety and may not have access to hedges etc.

We can buy them, though. Mine gets a big fistful of 6 hedgerow herbs added to his feed every day. I buy it from D&H.
.

 

[Beckystaples]

Indeed. Please do elucidate.

I did follow the given protocol given post results, with were way off scale. Her imbalances were epic .

Not sure that I'd fork out for an expensive test and then be prepared from randomers to believe that the advice given was 'twaddle' without actually first trying to follow that advice.

It has been a life saver for my mare. Next stop was PTS if she didn't improve.

Can I ask how your mare was previously please? I am pending results from my test, my mare is very reactive, constantly spooking and on high alert with everything making riding difficult and general day to day handling. This is my last option before finding another solution for her, I really really don’t want to part with her but I have tried everything, done all the tests (eyes, ovaries, ulcers etc)
Hoping the test can provide me with some answers x

 

[Tiddlypom]

Can I ask how your mare was previously please? I am pending results from my test, my mare is very reactive, constantly spooking and on high alert with everything making riding difficult and general day to day handling. This is my last option before finding another solution for her, I really really don’t want to part with her but I have tried everything, done all the tests (eyes, ovaries, ulcers etc)
Hoping the test can provide me with some answers x

My mare was very grumpy to handle, and yes she was always on high alert.

We knew it was a pain or discomfort response, as she's homebred and started out in life with a sweet temperament. She'd had her hocks, SI joints and front coffins medicated, and a bute trial after those made her even worse. She'd scoped clear for foregut ulcers.

She really is the poster girl of a great result after Equibiome testing, it was her last chance, she's so much happier in herself.

Good luck with your mare.

 

[Beckystaples]

My mare was very grumpy to handle, and yes she was always on high alert.

We knew it was a pain or discomfort response, as she's homebred and started out in life with a sweet temperament. She'd had her hocks, SI joints and front coffins medicated, and a bute trial after those made her even worse. She'd scoped clear for foregut ulcers.

She really is the poster girl of a great result after Equibiome testing, it was her last chance, she's so much happier in herself.

Good luck with your mare.

Thank you so much for your response!

Fingers crossed