How much cider vinegar to add to feed?

[NativePonyLover]

For a 14hh pony?

I've started adding it to his feed, as it is supposed to be good for joint health - he is slightly stiff in his sacroiliac joint, following a stumble in the field and receiving physiotherapy treatment. I queried if a joint supplement would help, but my physiotherapist said not to worry too much, but chatting to another livery they suggested cider vinegar. And, it is also helping ensure he actually eats his general purpose supplement - rather than scoffing the chaff and leaving it!

But, I don't know how much I should be adding to his evening feed?

 

[WestCoast]

There's really nothing in cider vinegar that would aid joint health I'm afraid. Won't do any harm if he likes it though.

Paula

 

[NativePonyLover]

Oh really? I've always been under the impression it is good for joints. Next you'll tell me it does nothing for coat shine either !

I've been adding a capful in his feed - it may notake that much difference? Still, at least he licks the bowl out with it added and thus his supplement!

 

[NativePonyLover]

*may not make

 

[ImmyS]

Cider vinegar can be known to relieve joint and muscle pain

 

[tallyho!]

Unpasteurised apple cider vinegar is good for horses and for people. I take it with good effect. I struggled to walk up my own road, which is uphill. Since taking ACV I can CYCLE up it!!!!!!

Arthritic horse, use to click sometimes. Very worrying! ACV for a few months and have noticed such a massive difference! Better than all the expensive stuff I used to buy off the vets.

These anecdotal, old wives type medicines have very little evidence. You add it and it may not work but it's pretty harmless. If it does work, brilliant!

 

[NativePonyLover]

Ahhh, that makes me feel better knowing others have had good results with it

Idiot Q alert - how would I know if it has been unpasteurised? I bought it from a tack/horsey feed shop so would assume it is?

How much were/are you feeding your athritic horse tallyho?

 

[Queenbee]

There's really nothing in cider vinegar that would aid joint health I'm afraid. Won't do any harm if he likes it though.

Paula

actually my vet cant stand the stuff, he sees way to many colicy horses and horses with gastric ulcers and other stomach issues who have been kept on the stuff and he believes the acidity directly contributes to such conditions, his words we barge pole.

 

[tallyho!]

It's acidity is between pH 4.5-5 so quite acidic but not as acidic as our own gut juices at pH 1-3.

At the amount you give to horses/humans at therapeutic effect (egg-cup for horses, tablespoon for humans) it's very unlikely to have any effect on stomach lining.

It could have a burning effect in your throat most definitely if undiluted and could definitely contribute to ulcers that are in the oesophagus near the stomach sphincter (people with acid reflux should probably not take it). I take mine with ginger beer. The horses have theirs in feed which is soaked overnight where the acetic acid is dispersed and becomes less acidic in contact with air.

 

[WestCoast]

actually my vet cant stand the stuff, he sees way to many colicy horses and horses with gastric ulcers and other stomach issues who have been kept on the stuff and he believes the acidity directly contributes to such conditions, his words we barge pole.

Interesting - there goes my line of telling people there's no evidence but it probably won't do any harm if they want to do it.

The mineral supplements worry me more because megadoses can be toxic and block uptake of other nutrients.

Paula.