Easy Keepers, Supplements and Nutraceuticals

 

The KER line of feeds is proving very popular as reports of very good results continue to come in. I continue to be astonished at how quickly horses change their condition and/or attitude when changed onto this feed. Results are visible within 7 to 10 days.

 

Purina’s new Equilizer feed is proving VERY effective for horses that require a quality supplementation of vitamins and minerals and NO calories. In other words, the horse that gains weight breathing, whether continuing to work or retired. We know of at least two horses that are actively eventing on this product.

 

For those of you who used to feed a supplement known as Equi Plus (available only through veterinarians), I know you are disappointed that it is no longer available. However the same supplement is packaged as Equine Super Diet and is available here at a lower cost. Obviously saner minds prevailed when it became obvious that the marketing attempt to sell the same product at a higher cost elsewhere failed!

 

And now to the herbals.

 

Liquid Devil’s Claw (from Wendell’s Herbs of England) is meant to promote healthy joints as it aids in cleaning out damage within the joint itself. However it has proven itself as an effective anti-inflammatory, in several cases used instead of bute. Although not recommended for long term use as an anti-inflammatory, it has the advantage of not showing up in drug testing. We know of several horses that used to require bute that are now quite happy on an extremely low dose of this product.

 

We are also carrying several lines from Vivian O’Neill: Equine Herbal Products, Herbs for Pets, and Herbs for Riders. We are getting very good reports from quite a few of the products. With every issue of this report we will showcase a few of her products. This month we will focus on Stress Away.

 

We have reports on the use of Stress Away on both horses and people, all of whom have been very happy with the results. This product does not contain Valerian, which is testable and also has a sedative effect. Stress Away is more of a physical relaxant, allowing tense muscles to let go.

 

We have had reports of improved sleep, improved attitude (no longer biting our heads off) and better riding. As for the horses, several have relaxed enough to allow injuries to heal or at least be treated, and in other cases riders report feeling less as if they were sitting on a powder keg.

 

Kasia Miedzinska, PhD

Certified Equine Nutritionist