Turmeric has anyone tried it on their horse?

[Joanne4584]

That's great news I hope I get good results with Bertie. I started with a teaspoons worth today (with the pepper and oil) but he refused to touch it. After about 10 minutes he very carefully picked the carrots out then refused to go anywhere near it.

I tested him with just his usual feed with pepper and olive oil and he ate that, so it looks like I am going to have to start off with a sprinkle of turmeric to try and get him used to it.

 

[Meems]

I started my mare on it yesterday, just a level teaspoon. I stood back waiting for some kind of reaction but she just wolfed it down, I'm not even sure she noticed anything different. So today I gave her a good heaped teaspoon and again, she ate it fine. I thought I'd introduce the pepper next week.

 

[Joanne4584]

Well today Bertie got a pinch of it in his dinner and he still sniffed his feed and looked at it funny! He ate 3/4 of his feed so I hope he didn't somehow manage to pick out the bits without the turmeric. I never realised he was so fussy despite having him for 4 years!

 

[lisabethm]

Global herbs sell turmeric ready mixed with black pepper, so you just need to add micronised linseed or flax oil. I've got my mare on it for the first time post first ever episode of lammi. It's turned my normally laid back cob into a complete nut job. I'm giving it a good few weeks to see if it wears off a bit and cutting the dose down as well.
Tempted to split the tub and use it myself for my aches and pains, see if i get some of her energy as well!

 

[Sukistokes2]

Global herbs sell turmeric ready mixed with black pepper, so you just need to add micronised linseed or flax oil. I've got my mare on it for the first time post first ever episode of lammi. It's turned my normally laid back cob into a complete nut job. I'm giving it a good few weeks to see if it wears off a bit and cutting the dose down as well.
Tempted to split the tub and use it myself for my aches and pains, see if i get some of her energy as well!

Hi, having read all the blurb that I can find on this, the general consensuses is that the active ingredient in the black pepper, which activates the active ingredient in the turmeric, breaks down really quickly. Therefore in order to get the most effective result the black pepper needs to be freshly added. So while I do use global herbs I sill add fresh black pepper.
Also with the oil I have found you need to be careful what sort you give to a cob, its like feeding them pure energy. I use olive oil and it seems not to heat my cob up as much. Also be careful to give as little oil as possible as it can really give them the squits.

 

[lisabethm]

Thanks. I didn't realise that about the pepper. I bought the global herbs as occasionally someone else feeds her for me. She's been on flax for a while for skin and coat condition, particularly as she's prone to feather mites, hence why I was wondering if it may be the turmeric that may be doing it.

 

[Sukistokes2]

Thanks. I didn't realise that about the pepper. I bought the global herbs as occasionally someone else feeds her for me. She's been on flax for a while for skin and coat condition, particularly as she's prone to feather mites, hence why I was wondering if it may be the turmeric that may be doing it.

Nah.....It s the oil, great to feed if you need a boost! Try pig oil and sulfur for the mites. Cod liver oil is great for skin and coat,

 

[Molly's mum]

I'm giving to my Mare who was dx with severe hock arthritis. she takes Bute (1/2 am and 1 pm) at the moment along with Glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM in the evening and for the past 10 days I've been giving her turmeric in the morning. I have also restricted the area she has to graze. Yesterday I noticed she was limping less...significantly less I think. I only give her 2tsps in the morning so far as palatability was an issue but now she's used to the taste she doesn't seem to mind it.

My horses are at grass year round (hay in the winter naturally) so apart from treats don't get 'fed' so I process 1/2 an apple put that into the bottom of a feed scoop, sprinkle the turmeric on top that and I crush Spillers minty treats and sprinkle that on top of the turmeric. As each day goes by I need to use less crushed treat. The moistness of the apple stops her from snorting it out of the bowl (and all over me!!) but I guess if you add oil to it that would do the same. I have a recipe for Turmeric paste using oil and black pepper but haven't tried that as what I'm doing seems to be working when Tilden, cartrophen and a steroid injection into the joint didn't!

Good luck, hope it works for you too.

 

[laura_nash]

I gave it to both my boys for about 2 months late winter as a bit of an experiment. Didn't bother with the black pepper as looking at the science behind it that is important for humans but not convinced for horses (they can digest it fine without). They already get micronised linseed in the winter.

They were both definitely perkier on the turmeric, the biggest difference was my daughter's pony ("aged" rescue pony) who suddenly took to jumping out of the field! They also love the taste and lick the bowl to try and get more. My cob has COPD but its very under control, so didn't really notice any improvement in that.

I'm not keen to have them on it continuously long term but plan to give them a few months on it in autumn and again in late winter.

 

[touchstone]

Tried it on my mare and saw no difference whatsoever.

 

[maree t]

How much were you feeding Touchstone ? how much pepper and what oil ?

 

[touchstone]

I managed to get up to a tablespoon twice a day with about 8 twists of pepper and a mugful of micronised linseed.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Touchstone has your mare got arthritic changes? All of mine get it and live it and my mare with ringbone is sound and she has had no recurrence of sarcoids either. I now use the Global Herbs with black pepper in it. I believe it's important for the bio availability in the gut but do no concur it needs to be fresh. My herbalist says piperine does not degrade over time.

 

[touchstone]

She is elderly (22)and the vet suspected she might have ringbone starting about six years ago. This is the first year she's shown obvious discomfort though, so she is given an occasional bute. I suspect that the changes may be too advanced for the turmeric to make any difference, or she simply isn't responding to it. She also has cushings which could be playing a part too. I am still feeding it, it is so cheap that I might as well!

 

[YasandCrystal]

Touchstone I know it doesn't work for every horse. I have 5 horses and 3 are benefitting. I suspect my youngster doesn't need it and I had to stop with my veteran pony as he got bad diarrhoea.
I think if it works no condition is too bad to benefit to some extent. Are you sure of the quality of the turmeric you are using? I now prefer to use the Global Herbs stuff as the curcumin content is guaranteed.

 

[MuddyTB]

I'm another who hasn't seen any benefit. I think it's definitely worth trying on any horse, it's cheap and works in a lot of cases but sadly doesn't work for all.

Mine has hock spavins and itchy skin from allergy issues. I was hopeful I would see improvement in at least one of these but not seen any.
He was on 1 tbsp turmeric twice a day with pepper and linseed and it was good stuff with guaranteed curcumin content too.

Trust him to be difficult!

 

[peanut]

I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has already been said, but there is the Turmeric Users Group on Facebook with loads of information on feeding/results etc

 

[Shoei]

I've just started my lad on it... Any tips to stop the Orange lips??!!! I wipe his face after every meal but it sticks!! On the plus side he loves it!

 

[Deltaflyer]

I've just started my lad on it... Any tips to stop the Orange lips??!!! I wipe his face after every meal but it sticks!! On the plus side he loves it!

I feed my grey and white boy turmeric and not only does he get yellow lips (and moustache when I forget to trim it) but any part of his body he scratches with his nose goes yellow too LOL He hasn't fizzed up on it (I wouldn't have minded if he had as I like 'em sharp) but his coat is beautiful this year compared to last summer when it seemed quite coarse.

 

[maree t]

The facebook group run by an aussie vet is the best place for advice .
In perspective one of my dogs has a heaped tablespoon of turmeric, 25 grinds of pepper and olive oil a day .
One of my ponies has a cup of T , 40 grinds of pepper and 2 cups of linseed per day .
You can keep upping the amount until you find the right amount that helps.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I take the paste form and have definitely benefitted. The horse has powder, pepper, oil. I asked the vet to check a little sarcoids that had reappeared, she confirms it's gone. Don't know if it's the turmeric, but I'm delighted. He's definitely a bit more fizzy, tho.

 

[Barnacle]

When something is presented as a cure-all, it is likely a cure-nothing. The idea that it would do anything useful for horses has come from the long-standing belief that it is a cure-all in humans. Besides the fact that this is unsupported by evidence in the first place, it does not follow that what works on people should work on horses. The turmeric bandwagon is something I'm inclined to rant about so I won't go into it.

But here's a good article for everyone to read: http://www.horsecollaborative.com/but-it-works-for-me/

Turmeric may be helpful in treating cancer (in rats) and possibly has anti-bacterial/fungal properties (which is very unremarkable mind you - a lot of things are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, e.g. alcohol or lime juice). Some clinical trials are currently underway. In humans it can cause kidney stones - there is no telling what it would do to a horse. On balance, I would not give turmeric to a horse without knowing more about its effects. It may cause long-term damage that has gone unreported.

Incidentally, chemically-speaking, there is absolutely no reason fizzyness would be an outcome of feeding turmeric. The fact that people report this consistently is a fairly clear indicator of confirmation bias.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Barnacle I only go by my own experience and my horses have certainly benefitted from turmeric, so much so that other horse health professionals have started using it and recommending it too.
It's not just mass bias, if you join the Turmeric user Group on facebook you can view the files and actually see the photographic evidence of some frankly horrendous jaw dropping sarcoids and tumours diminished to the tiniest sore via turmeric.
Turmeric also forms the basis of many market hoof and joint supplements and has done for some time - were you unaware of this? The user group set up by a vet has just established maximum bioavailability of the curcumin via the gut through the use of piperine and Virgin oils.
I have spoken with the herbalist I use and he has always used turmeric in his formulas.

As for the fizziness - it is not fizziness it is increased mobility and comfort which in turn brings forwards ness of course in a horse which may have had pain or discomfort. Turmeric acts as a heavy anti oxidant and anti inflammatory which is why people have been able to replace regular bute with it. This in itself has to be a great thing and not bias.
People have reported their lame horses sound and I very much doubt this is just mass worldwide hysteria.
I always as a young person fed my horses added salt to their feeds and I still do so now. Many people would dismiss this as unnecessary but if you look at some of the facts and how only added salt can correct potassium inbalances in horses and the behaviours this can change it makes perfect sense.

 

[Molly's mum]

I always as a young person fed my horses added salt to their feeds and I still do so now. Many people would dismiss this as unnecessary but if you look at some of the facts and how only added salt can correct potassium inbalances in horses and the behaviours this can change it makes perfect sense.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that response on Turmeric Yas...very interesting and helpful for me especially. However I was particularly interested in this part of your post as I had a dog with Primary Addisons Disease where maintaining the equilibrium between sodium and potassium is critical. For years I kept salt well away from my boy until a major crash occurred and we couldn't stabilise him. Research led me to a fledgling online support group where someone told me to add salt. My vet was horrified, I was terrified but my boy was dying so I had nothing to lose. I gave it to him that evening and by the next the morning I was trying to stop him barking for his breakfast whilst I took the call from the vet telling me to go ahead and give him salt! I am aware of course that horses can have cushings but was unaware that added salt was an advantage. As mine are at grass they have a mineral block would, this be sufficient salt?

 

[hollyandivy123]

barnacle if you would like to look at the link this will give you an overview of scientific publications good or bad on turmeric

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=turmeric+role+in+treatment

some you should be able to open due to open access policy

happy reading

 

[YasandCrystal]

Molly's mum that's a great story about your dog. I have one about a client of my husband who after 18 months and on vets recommendation was going to have her itchy pony pts. He couldn't bare to be groomed and he rubbed himself raw if he was ever allowed near a stable or post. He had to be kept in a fully electrified paddock. The vets had tested him for everything possible. I advised before age pts to give him sea salt 2 tablespoons a day for a trial. Within 2 weeks he was back to a normal pony.
In answer to the saltlick question - no a lick will never suffice. You have to add 2 tablespoons to feed. Take a look at this very interesting website www.calmhealthyhorses.com it really explains about adding salt.

 

[spottybotty]

When something is presented as a cure-all, it is likely a cure-nothing. The idea that it would do anything useful for horses has come from the long-standing belief that it is a cure-all in humans. Besides the fact that this is unsupported by evidence in the first place, it does not follow that what works on people should work on horses. The turmeric bandwagon is something I'm inclined to rant about so I won't go into it.

But here's a good article for everyone to read: http://www.horsecollaborative.com/but-it-works-for-me/

Turmeric may be helpful in treating cancer (in rats) and possibly has anti-bacterial/fungal properties (which is very unremarkable mind you - a lot of things are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, e.g. alcohol or lime juice). Some clinical trials are currently underway. In humans it can cause kidney stones - there is no telling what it would do to a horse. On balance, I would not give turmeric to a horse without knowing more about its effects. It may cause long-term damage that has gone unreported.

Incidentally, chemically-speaking, there is absolutely no reason fizzyness would be an outcome of feeding turmeric. The fact that people report this consistently is a fairly clear indicator of confirmation bias.

I agree with Barnacle.

 

[Spreebok]

Barnacle, I was reaaalllly sceptical of it, still am for a lot of it's touted properties (I'm again one of the cure-all = cure-nothing people), but I can say that since I put my pony on it to see if it would help her itchy, sore skin, it actually has!
I only decided to give it a whizz as it was £10 for a 2kg tub and I had money burning a hole in my pocket lmao, I wasn't expecting anything but a yellow moustache to amuse me twice a day!
It also seems to be helping keep the flies off her more exposed bits, her udders have significantly less bites on them when she comes in now since I started using it, and the flies here are horrendous and only getting worse!

Of course, like I said, I'm sceptical of it's cancer/sarcoid curing properties, I am of any herbal thing that claims to be a cancer curer. But for itchy skin? Seems to have helped!

 

[southerncomfort]

I agree with Barnacle.

Me too. Tried it on my pony. Nothing. Tried it on me. Suffered small stomach bleed.

The benefits have been wildly exaggerated in my view and much more research needs to be done.

The turmeric FB page is a bit scary, and they have not time for doubters!

 

[Toffee44]

Not sure if its the coolstance copra or the turmeric but our 26yr old TB was bouncing about today during a canter up a small hill, head up, ears pricked and bouncy.

She has only been on both for week and a half but today she was a different horse.