Trying Alcar in diet?

C

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Can I pick the brains of some you metabolic experts please? I'm thinking of trying Alcar in my horse's diet - based on his background, would you do this and if so where would I get it from? I am aware I can get him tested for metabolic syndromes, but am wondering if this may be worth trying first.

I've been reading peoples of experiences re PSSM etc, and there are a few niggly things that make me think my horse may be affected to some degree. Background - had him for 10 years, maxi cob, always a good doer, always VERY spooky and reactive, a real worrier. Used to stand up and nap, now more inclined to freeze up or spin round if something upsets him.Has always struggled to engage and push properly from behind, canter was non-existent as a youngster, still has a funny hop into canter and can seem tight/shuffley behind. Workload now much reduced due to the effects of an old injury and potential arthritis, so doesn't jump or do fast work on hard ground. First time ever this spring he had raised pulses and was sore when shod, so was kept in by day on soaked hay since then (he's still on the good side of lean, but no longer 'fat'). Ridden 4-5 days a week. Currently fed on Fast Fibre, a sprinkle of Alfa A Oil and a vit/min supplement (Benevit) plus joint supplement (Yumove Active Joint). He also has a tablespoon of salt, but I can't give him more as he won't eat it. Sweats a lot, wees a lot.

He had a full blood screen a few weeks ago after a reaction to a flu jab (was worried it may have been Atypical Myopathy!) but this showed no abnormal muscle enzyme levels.

Does this ring alarm bells to you? Is there any side effect of feeding Alcar for a non-metabolically challenged horse?

Thanks so much for your help.
 
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did the blood screen include ACTH test? If not I would get one done if only because of "wees a lot" and raised pulses/sore.

You make no mention of high dose natural vit E. If you are thinking of the PSSM route that would be my first choice followed by getting heat on his back rather than alcar. For some horses alcar does nothing, for some it works and for some it makes them spooky. I used it on a non PSSM horse and had to stop as he was too spooky to ride.
 
Raised pulses etc -I'd be more concerned about PPID. Also, for the issues behind, have you had him x rayed yet? I would look at that first as arthritis type issues are far more common. SI problems are harder to find but can come across as very PSSM like. Certainly that bunny hop sounds suspicious.

If you are going to try the PSSM route (after ruling out the other issues) I'd hair test for type 1 and then try the Vit E then add the alcar so you rule out what works/doesn't systematically.
 
Horse can have PSSM, arthritis and PPID, I have one...

Echo the others, I'd strongly suggest a test for the Cushing's fairly pronto. Re the PSSM, I was at my wit's end with my mare's grumpy behaviour and trialled a high dose of natural vit E as a last resort. She was transformed for the better within days. Alcar made no difference.
 
Thanks so much for all your replies - should have said the SI/back end stuff has been going on since he was 4, he's had 10 years of vet, physio and chiro treatments regularly - he did have an SI weakness (I think he'd been pulled over when someone tried to break him in Ireland) which I've worked on strengthening for many years. His injury was to his shoulder and coffin joint (due to a kick) so I'm pretty on top of that element of his stiffness. I'd not gone down the high dose Vit E route as I had thought that supplementing with linseed or oil would be inadvisable due to waistline, but I'll investigate that further. Sounds like a cushings test wouldn't go amiss either. Thanks again all - much appreciated.
 
supplementing with high dose vit e won't make the slightest difference to his waistline. It is only around a teaspoon or so.
 
I never tested Leo but he was always dramatically better on a high dose of vitamin e, being kept overly warm and lots and lots of work. I think a lot of horses are low in vitamin e, esp fatties that are on a restricted diet.
 
Leo Walker said:
I never tested Leo but he was always dramatically better on a high dose of vitamin e, being kept overly warm and lots and lots of work. I think a lot of horses are low in vitamin e, esp fatties that are on a restricted diet.
Click to expand...

that is a very good point. It is in grass Apr - Oct but many fatties etc are on restricted grazing.
 
Has he been tested for EMS? Sweating and weeing can be a sign of that & / or Cushings.

If those are clear then I'd echo everyone above and add natural vitamin E in to the diet before Alcar (which did nothing for either of my PSSM type 1 horses).
 
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