How long to see change after diet change

[BunnyandRuby]

I’m trying to do process of elimination before blood tests. …wondering if Alfalfa was the cause??‍Trying to reduce rubbing of manes and tails.
Been on Denghie Hi Fi Molasses free for 6 years… has never had full mane in that time. I’ve switched to Honeychop Lite and Healthy. They’re leaving quite a bit of it, I’m coming to the end of the sack…. It’s been about 5 weeks…. Still rubbing?Should I give it longer and buy another sack, or get bloods done. …I may as well go back to Denghie that they love if they’re not enjoying.Don’t think it’s sweet itch even though they wear zebra rugs by day and shires sweet itch by night… have tried both combo and standard neck turnouts in winter but no change.

 

[stimpy]

I would stay on alfalfa-free diet and keep looking. IME anything itchy is worse on alfalfa even if alfalfa is not the root cause. Honeychop lite is pretty empty though, why not just try a grass chop? I use Thunderbrooks chaff or Simple Systems grass chaff and my lot all love it.

 

[GrassChop]

I'd suggest just a plain grass chaff too instead.
Have you got any yarrow or clover in your fields? That can set my mare off and since putting her on milk thistle, it has made a huge difference to her reactions.

 

[stimpy]

I'd suggest just a plain grass chaff too instead.
Have you got any yarrow or clover in your fields? That can set my mare off and since putting her on milk thistle, it has made a huge difference to her reactions.

That's really interesting. I have a new mare who isn't itchy but her skin is very irritated, she has hives that come up and go down but never go away. I did an elimination diet but I can't change the grazing and there is clover in her field. I might try the milk thistle

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't swap alfalfa for L&H, I would offer Emerald Green dried grass chaff, which is meadow grass not rye grass.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't swap alfalfa for L&H, I would offer Emerald Green dried grass chaff, which is meadow grass not rye grass.

Agree try a grass chaff but to be fair I think most horses get a bit itchy in summer.

I find washing the mane and tail once a week in medicated shampoo helps, have you tried some benzyl benzoate on the bits they rub?

 

[BunnyandRuby]

I would stay on alfalfa-free diet and keep looking. IME anything itchy is worse on alfalfa even if alfalfa is not the root cause. Honeychop lite is pretty empty though, why not just try a grass chop? I use Thunderbrooks chaff or Simple Systems grass chaff and my lot all love it.

I know it’s bland bless them, I didn’t men that I’ve been adding grass nuts to make it more palatable. But thanks for reply regarding avoiding alfalfa whatever. I will look into the others, Thank you

 

[BunnyandRuby]

I'd suggest just a plain grass chaff too instead.
Have you got any yarrow or clover in your fields? That can set my mare off and since putting her on milk thistle, it has made a huge difference to her reactions.

Can I buy milk thistle? There maybe clover on our grazing, but not sure how to deal with that… can’t move??‍

 

[BunnyandRuby]

I wouldn't swap alfalfa for L&H, I would offer Emerald Green dried grass chaff, which is meadow grass not rye grass.

Funny enough, was going to give the emerald green grass nuts as currently giving denthis. Will look into it, Thank you

 

[BunnyandRuby]

Can I ask with regards to grass chaff, is it dramatically higher in sugar than the current Honeychop lite and healthy? They’re a pair of very good doers, so I try to feed as lo cal as possible.
TIA for your replies

 

[stimpy]

Can I ask with regards to grass chaff, is it dramatically higher in sugar than the current Honeychop lite and healthy? They’re a pair of very good doers, so I try to feed as lo cal as possible.
TIA for your replies

I have good doers too. I would just feed a handful of the grass chaff, no grass nuts. I would also only give a feed if I was using it to get supplements into them, otherwise they won't need it. If they are grazing at all then the sugar content of a handful of grass chaff will be pretty much irrelevant, but Thunderbrooks chaff is low sugar anyway.

 

[GrassChop]

That's really interesting. I have a new mare who isn't itchy but her skin is very irritated, she has hives that come up and go down but never go away. I did an elimination diet but I can't change the grazing and there is clover in her field. I might try the milk thistle

I have found it a complete game changer for me. She was so reactive to the sun. We have a lot of clover and yarrow. The Equimins Milk Thistle worked within a week! Her muzzle has even stopped burning.

 

[GrassChop]

Can I buy milk thistle? There maybe clover on our grazing, but not sure how to deal with that… can’t move??‍

Yes, I get it from Equimins. It has lasted me ages, just one heaped scoop a day.

 

[GrassChop]

Can I ask with regards to grass chaff, is it dramatically higher in sugar than the current Honeychop lite and healthy? They’re a pair of very good doers, so I try to feed as lo cal as possible.
TIA for your replies

It is usually around 10% naturally occurring sugars but a handful wouldn't do much harm I shouldn't have thought.

 

[Goldenstar]

Are you sure it’s not pinworms .

 

[BunnyandRuby]

Are you sure it’s not pinworms .

yes, did tape test