Multi-Mite Equine+ Dewormer and Condiitioner (Seaweed and Garlic)

[CrimsonDivine]

Was wondering whether anyone has used th is product and whether it's any good? A friend of mine has come across it as she needs to treat her ponies for worms, not because they have them but simply because it's that time of year. I too am interested in this product as it claims to get rid of all worms and parasites. However, I do have a concern over the seaweed as it has high level of iodine which I have read could be bad for some horses?

 

[windand rain]

Garlic is toxic to horses even in quite small amounts so no wouldn't use anything with large amounts. It doesnt keep flies away or kill worms either so a bit pointless. Seaweed is a reasonably good multivitamin and the only problem I can remember is it shouldnt be fed to breeding age mares as their foals can suffer thyroid problems. Garlic causes heamolytic anemia and destroys gut flora

 

[ester]

seaweed has high and variable levels of iodine
garlic has no business being in a horse's digestive system, it's a potent antimicrobial.
neither are going to work as a dewormer.

 

[CrimsonDivine]

Garlic is toxic to horses even in quite small amounts so no wouldn't use anything with large amounts. It doesnt keep flies away or kill worms either so a bit pointless. Seaweed is a reasonably good multivitamin and the only problem I can remember is it shouldnt be fed to breeding age mares as their foals can suffer thyroid problems. Garlic causes heamolytic anemia and destroys gut flora

Hmm, ok that is a new one to me. I was told garlic does keep flies away and I'm a little surprised if it's that hazardous then why is it so widely available for horses? Mind you same could be said about Seaweed and yet I'm still sceptical about that.. go figure. Thanks for the reply, was most enlightening. By the way there is another without the garlic, what is your take on seaweed then?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

No to garlic. Does nothing for keeping flies (or at least didn’t for me) and also soon as I took my mare off it her poos became more regular.

There will be others that have more knowledge re seaweed but from my limited knowledge on it I think it historically was used as a mineral supplement however it’s very high in iodine and iron. Both of which are largely unnecessary and in high qualities can build up toxicities and inhibit take up of other important minerals.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes, a lot of people stay away from the seaweed stuff due to the high iron.

I wouldn't spend my money on (or give my horse) anything comprised of garlic and seaweed, personally.

 

[windand rain]

I do sometimes use seaweed in winter for a general vitamin supplement but only for the fully grown ones I would guess it wouldnt damage youngsters in the amount you give. All onion/garlics have undesirable chemicals
"EQUINE MYTHBUSTERS – PART ONE
Garlic, Seaweed Meal and Wheat Bran or Pollard – No, no and NO!
So many ingredients and feeding strategies have been passed on through generations without really knowing why we feed certain things or the effects they have. Most of these feeding strategies are harmless however there are some that still exist that need to be stopped immediately.
Garlic
While many horse owners swear by adding garlic to their horses’ diets, research into its effects in the equine body is lacking.
The perceived benefits of feeding garlic to horses include alleged antiseptic and antibiotic properties, appetite and immune boosting, improvement of respiratory problems, natural fly repellent and wormer, and aid to ulcers and coughs. Many of these claims have not been investigated scientifically.
Without evidence of its benefits, care should be taken with feeding garlic to horses, as too much can be potentially toxic, causing a condition called Heinz body anaemia (irreversible damage to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells). Garlic, onions, and chives contain a chemical called N-propyl disulfide, also
known as allicin. This chemical is toxic to horses, cattle, and dogs. When ingested, it can damage the red-blood cells by depleting them of phosphate dehydrogenase, the function of which is to protect the cell from natural oxidative damage. When levels of phosphate dehydrogenase get too low, the hemoglobin in red blood cell is vulnerable to oxidative damage; when this occurs, haemoglobin oxidizes and precipitates in the cell, forming Heinz bodies. The spleen will begin destroying these mutated cells and if significant amounts of garlic or onions are fed over time, the horse can become anaemic.
Anaemia is a condition in which the blood is deficient in red cells, hemoglobin, or total volume. Signs of anemia in horses may include poor performance, lack of energy, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and depression. Anaemia can also be subclinical.
In one study performed at the University of Guelph, researchers found that feeding more than 100 grams of garlic daily to horses resulted in hematologic and biochemical indicatio
ns of Heinz body anaemia.
While there has been no scientific research on the dangers of feeding smaller amounts of garlic to horses, the similar lack of research supporting its use should inspire horse owners to be cautious when considering adding garlic to their horses’ diets. .
Seaweed Meal
While seaweed meal is generally fed for its nutrient content, it usually contains extremely high iodine levels. Horses have very low requirements for iodine and these are usually met easily through grazing on pasture and certainly met if feeding a correctly formulated feed at the recommended intake. A small amount of seaweed meal can provide iodine in over 200% of requiremments, which can result in thyroid issues such as goiter, and therefore not recommended to feed"
Quoted from an article by Amanda Ross

 

[CrimsonDivine]

Yes, a lot of people stay away from the seaweed stuff due to the high iron.

I wouldn't spend my money on (or give my horse) anything comprised of garlic and seaweed, personally.

Ok so that's at least one against seaweed, and both of you against garlic. Certainly some interesting feedback. I'm definitely onboard with the "no seaweed" after things I've read around the net. Tis interesting though; of course alot of manufactorers claim how great it all is for our equine friends but in reality it's more harmful than good??

 

[CrimsonDivine]

I do sometimes use seaweed in winter for a general vitamin supplement but only for the fully grown ones I would guess it wouldnt damage youngsters in the amount you give. All onion/garlics have undesirable chemicals
"EQUINE MYTHBUSTERS – PART ONE
Garlic, Seaweed Meal and Wheat Bran or Pollard – No, no and NO!
So many ingredients and feeding strategies have been passed on through generations without really knowing why we feed certain things or the effects they have. Most of these feeding strategies are harmless however there are some that still exist that need to be stopped immediately.
Garlic
While many horse owners swear by adding garlic to their horses’ diets, research into its effects in the equine body is lacking.
The perceived benefits of feeding garlic to horses include alleged antiseptic and antibiotic properties, appetite and immune boosting, improvement of respiratory problems, natural fly repellent and wormer, and aid to ulcers and coughs. Many of these claims have not been investigated scientifically.
Without evidence of its benefits, care should be taken with feeding garlic to horses, as too much can be potentially toxic, causing a condition called Heinz body anaemia (irreversible damage to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells). Garlic, onions, and chives contain a chemical called N-propyl disulfide, also
known as allicin. This chemical is toxic to horses, cattle, and dogs. When ingested, it can damage the red-blood cells by depleting them of phosphate dehydrogenase, the function of which is to protect the cell from natural oxidative damage. When levels of phosphate dehydrogenase get too low, the hemoglobin in red blood cell is vulnerable to oxidative damage; when this occurs, haemoglobin oxidizes and precipitates in the cell, forming Heinz bodies. The spleen will begin destroying these mutated cells and if significant amounts of garlic or onions are fed over time, the horse can become anaemic.
Anaemia is a condition in which the blood is deficient in red cells, hemoglobin, or total volume. Signs of anemia in horses may include poor performance, lack of energy, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and depression. Anaemia can also be subclinical.
In one study performed at the University of Guelph, researchers found that feeding more than 100 grams of garlic daily to horses resulted in hematologic and biochemical indicatio
ns of Heinz body anaemia.
While there has been no scientific research on the dangers of feeding smaller amounts of garlic to horses, the similar lack of research supporting its use should inspire horse owners to be cautious when considering adding garlic to their horses’ diets. .
Seaweed Meal
While seaweed meal is generally fed for its nutrient content, it usually contains extremely high iodine levels. Horses have very low requirements for iodine and these are usually met easily through grazing on pasture and certainly met if feeding a correctly formulated feed at the recommended intake. A small amount of seaweed meal can provide iodine in over 200% of requiremments, which can result in thyroid issues such as goiter, and therefore not recommended to feed"
Quoted from an article by Amanda Ross

Wow, that's very interesting and educational, thanks for sharing and nice find. I think I will be advising my friend NOT to buy this product afterall. Mind you alot can also be said about paste dewormers, which of course is an alternative to herbal products like these for the case of deworming a horse. The whole subject is rather debatable and confusing if you ask me.

 

[Dexter]

Paste wormers work, herbal wormer dont.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Hating to be cynical but I'm a tad suspicious about "natural" wormers and anything that makes any sort of claim to act as a "pesticide" and/or wormer.

A friend went to see a horse a good few years ago now; it was only a youngster but it was apparently just skin-and-bones. The owners had been worming it with "natural remedies". It had an obviously huge worm burden. Unfortunately it later had to be PTS as it was too far gone. I've never forgotten the state she described it as being in, that poor horse.

My vet advice - and which I follow - is to test for worm-burden regularly i.e. 4 X times yearly, and THEN and only then use whatever wormer is indicated by the results.

 

[CrimsonDivine]

Hating to be cynical but I'm a tad suspicious about "natural" wormers and anything that makes any sort of claim to act as a "pesticide" and/or wormer.

A friend went to see a horse a good few years ago now; it was only a youngster but it was apparently just skin-and-bones. The owners had been worming it with "natural remedies". It had an obviously huge worm burden. Unfortunately it later had to be PTS as it was too far gone. I've never forgotten the state she described it as being in, that poor horse.

My vet advice - and which I follow - is to test for worm-burden regularly i.e. 4 X times yearly, and THEN and only then use whatever wormer is indicated by the results.

Sorry to hear about the loss. One would like to think "natural" is better for our equine friends, as some of us like to believe even our own products should be considered better if they are "natural" for ourslves. However, this isn't always the case and some manufactorers like to play on these words. Technically they are not lying by using the term but they certainly like to abuse it to market their product due to our niave trust in what is considered "natural" must be safe surely? Sadly not. Even chamomile, which some people use as tea in order to relax and sleep at night, as I have in the past, can be bad for you and infact deadly if not used correctly. It is an anti-inflametry herb afterall. So yeah, can't be too careful unfortunately. But then same can be said about any form of medication realistically so it's a real debatable subject that no one truly knows the answer to. However, if evidence shows that it doesn't do what the consumers were hoping for? then it probably doesn't do what it claims to in general.

 

[PurBee]

Animal food industry isnt regulated heavily like human food. So we have companies claiming all sorts of benefits from their products. I’ve grown very cynical about claims made with animal foods.
Even bagged forage producers are playing the same game. One company i recently dealt with also offered 50% ryegrass+ 50% clover bales - for horses!

Im another for no to garlic for all the reasons others have said.
Seaweed id give a tablespoon now and then as its got many micro minerals and iodine, but i wouldnt feed it daily, or even weekly, and certainly not as a de-wormer.

Other ‘natural’ herbal dewormers contain black walnut husks (deadly to horses!), clove, wormwood (horses tolerate a bit, as a treatment, used to be given for worms, but shouldnt be having it regularly, just a 1 off treatment, if used at all)

I recently got a delivery of bales for 10 euros a bale, ‘premium forage for horses’ - loaded with wormwood weed. Producers tried to convince me it was good for horses. There’s around 2kg of it in every bale! Im currently suing them as they wont refund me just shy of 1k i paid them.

Dont believe the hype from feed companies is my motto.

 

[CrimsonDivine]

Animal food industry isnt regulated heavily like human food. So we have companies claiming all sorts of benefits from their products. I’ve grown very cynical about claims made with animal foods.
Even bagged forage producers are playing the same game. One company i recently dealt with also offered 50% ryegrass+ 50% clover bales - for horses!

Im another for no to garlic for all the reasons others have said.
Seaweed id give a tablespoon now and then as its got many micro minerals and iodine, but i wouldnt feed it daily, or even weekly, and certainly not as a de-wormer.

Other ‘natural’ herbal dewormers contain black walnut husks (deadly to horses!), clove, wormwood (horses tolerate a bit, as a treatment, used to be given for worms, but shouldnt be having it regularly, just a 1 off treatment, if used at all)

I recently got a delivery of bales for 10 euros a bale, ‘premium forage for horses’ - loaded with wormwood weed. Producers tried to convince me it was good for horses. There’s around 2kg of it in every bale! Im currently suing them as they wont refund me just shy of 1k i paid them.

Dont believe the hype from feed companies is my motto.

Wow damn no wonder you don't trust em o.o Actually this also reminds me of all the crap they put in ferret kibbles these days as well as dog foods. Ferrets are strictly carnivores, not entirely sure about dogs, and yet alot of kibble is full of veg! Stuff they can't even digest!! Though I will admit I am guilty as sin since I feed my ferrets on kibble but I use Vitalin which has mostly chicken and mainly rice for bulk. Sure rice isn't the most suited substitute but it sure beats all that veg and to be fair my ferrets are fit and healthy, infact my European Polecat is huge! Also, I felt I had no choice since my jill had already got to the stage where she only eats certain foods and her previous owner fed her on kibble, she will not eat meat be it cooked or raw. The EU Polecat however does like the odd meaty treat now and then but isn't too fussed either since he's been sharing kibble with her. Anyway, I digress but point being is that it seems to apply to alot of pet foods, as you suggested. So yeah, you are right there.

 

[PurBee]

Wow damn no wonder you don't trust em o.o Actually this also reminds me of all the crap they put in ferret kibbles these days as well as dog foods. Ferrets are strictly carnivores, not entirely sure about dogs, and yet alot of kibble is full of veg! Stuff they can't even digest!! Though I will admit I am guilty as sin since I feed my ferrets on kibble but I use Vitalin which has mostly chicken and mainly rice for bulk. Sure rice isn't the most suited substitute but it sure beats all that veg and to be fair my ferrets are fit and healthy, infact my European Polecat is huge! Also, I felt I had no choice since my jill had already got to the stage where she only eats certain foods and her previous owner fed her on kibble, she will not eat meat be it cooked or raw. The EU Polecat however does like the odd meaty treat now and then but isn't too fussed either since he's been sharing kibble with her. Anyway, I digress but point being is that it seems to apply to alot of pet foods, as you suggested. So yeah, you are right there.

I didn’t know about ferret kibble -just shows how broad the issue is with pet food tainted with ingredients they really should‘nt have.
I switched my dogs and cats to grain-free food, ditching supermarket pet foods. They’re doing amazingly well on it. All the health niggles they had have cleared up. So it makes me think that if we can try to mimic, as best we can, the diet the species naturally eats in the wild, they do far better with their health.
The equine food industry is laughable at this point - but thankfully awareness amongst owners is growing and many people are no longer conned by marketing hype.

If the horses immune system is healthy, then that helps keep heavy worm burdens at bay. Before paste wormers we didnt have the majority of horses dying of parasites. Paste wormers marketing is unreal - read the inserts to the product - they recommend treating 4-6 weeks with their wormer. It‘s that advice which has created verified parasite resistance to these pastes. When new to owning horses i almost fell foul of their ‘recommendations’ (which coincidentally makes them loads of money, if we’re all giving these pastes every 4-6 wks!)
There’s even wormers on the market you add to their feed and give daily.
Fecal testing/test for tape is a growing wise trend and thankfully effective so we dont have to over-use wormers anymore.

 

[criso]

If your friend is concerned about chemicals then they need to worm count and tape test. What has been found is about 20% of horses are susceptible to worms and consistently come back with a high worm count no matter what the management. The other 80% don't. Over a period of time of testing you can identify which your horses are and worm accordingly focusing on those that need it.

I was at a yard where a pony came back from loan where they had been using natural wormers. The worm burden was so high it nearly didn't make it, it was dangerously underweight. Took several doses of wormers over a period of time to gently reduce the burden to get him right.

 

[CrimsonDivine]

If your friend is concerned about chemicals then they need to worm count and tape test. What has been found is about 20% of horses are susceptible to worms and consistently come back with a high worm count no matter what the management. The other 80% don't. Over a period of time of testing you can identify which your horses are and worm accordingly focusing on those that need it.

I was at a yard where a pony came back from loan where they had been using natural wormers. The worm burden was so high it nearly didn't make it, it was dangerously underweight. Took several doses of wormers over a period of time to gently reduce the burden to get him right.

It's me who is bothered about it. She's too ignorant and naive to care to be honest.