Supplements for the liver

[JellyBeanSkittle]

Wondering if there any supplements for the liver that would be recommended? Been rag picking today and not that my horse would have eaten any as I was picking it out of our winter fields, but the thought did cross my mind as to what sort of grazing he has before - a liver boost/precautionary measure if you like! He is a happy, healthy chap to add

 

[GingerCat]

Vit B & C together provide good support for the liver.

It's what we give alcohol dependent people in hospital ...so any supplement that is high in these will be beneficial.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Be on the alert because a horse with a ragwort damaged liver won't show any symptoms until about 70% of the liver is destroyed. Ragwort damaged livers cannot regenerate. To support a liver you need to:

1. feed a very low protein diet, less work for the liver to do
2. all animals need some protein but what you feed must be of the highest quality
3. never, ever feed oil or conditioning feeds which are always high in oil
4. feed Yea Sac to aid hind gut digestion (often compromised in liver damaged horses)
5. feed Milk Thistle - proven to support damaged livers
6. feed little and often
7. watch out for acute photosensitivity - much worse than ordinary sunburn
8. if affected with acute photosensitivity, keep horse out of sunlight

I would also recommend that you get your horse's blood tested for liver function, then you'll know what you're dealing with before any symptoms show. And finally, don't assume a horse won't eat ragwort. Some get addicted to the bitter taste.

 

[berry]

Milk thistle is excellent. Nettels are a great detox and rosehips are great for them too.
My mare has a liver weakness and I give her all 3 in her feed. Every now and then I will offer her them by themselves and if she isn't interested in them I stop giving them too her for a while has horses use plants and herbs to self medicate and won't eat anything that they don't need ( if that makes sense??) .

 

[windseywoo]

All I will say on this is don't assume your horse is ok just because he/she looks well. I've just had to have my hosrse pts due to liver failure yet apart from the last week where things started to go wrong very quickly, he was the picture of health, eating and drinking well and going out. I know it wasn't ragwort poisoning as I've had him all his life and I am almost obsessive about removing ragwort from the field (which annoys me when other horse owners are not, considering how quickly it spreads). All I will say is that from now on when my other horse has his vaccinations I will ask for a blood test just to make sure everything is ok. If I'd have had one done on Blitz in February it may not have made much difference to the outcome, but I could have been more prepared. In regards to the liver just make sure the horse is eating healthly and not too overweight as that puts on added pressure for the liver, and no alcohol!!!

 

[touchstone]

Global Herbs Restore is good for the liver.

 

[smellsofhorse]

My mate is getting a specialist suppliment from the vets
Can't remember what its called but in s grey tub with brown lid.
My mares blood tests showed.liver problems after she just wasnt herself, grumpy, sad, lathargic and general poor performance

 

[soulfull]

Global Herbs Restore is good for the liver.

Echo this If your just looking for a liver tonic and not concerned in anyway

 

[JellyBeanSkittle]

Thanks guys and absolutely agree with not assuming that there isn't a problem as have been considering liver test too.

Ragwort is one of my bug bears (sp).. Especially when you drive past a field and see it being grown as a crop!! Grrr...

 

[gem1979]

My mate is getting a specialist suppliment from the vets
Can't remember what its called but in s grey tub with brown lid.
My mares blood tests showed.liver problems after she just wasnt herself, grumpy, sad, lathargic and general poor performance

Sounds like the stuff my boy is on - Equistro Legaphyton which the vet prescribed for same symptoms as your mare. It has an ingredient derived from milk thistle but in an extra concentrated dose. Struggling to get to the bottom of it at the moment. Bloods showed inflammation which was treated with antibiotics and course of 5 day Panacur for a precaution but he hasn't mproved much since even though the inflammation is gone. Was going to have a biopsy done but found hydatid cysts when scanning so too risky to take a sample. The cysts may or may not be the problem - can be completely incidental. How is your mare doing now?