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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.  

 

All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Quiessance Magnesium

Sounds like Quiessance might be a solution to my horse's cresty neck problem but, shouldn't our vet do a blood draw to see if he's low in Magnesium before we supplement him with this product?

Where are you from? Atkinson,IL (Midwest)

How did you locate this forum? Internet

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Hi Judy,

Actually, a blood test will not likely reveal low levels of magnesium in the body. This is because more than half (around 60%) of the magnesium in the body is stored in the bones. And, much of it is also found as part of enzymes.

In addition, a horse does not have to be deficient in this mineral to benefit from higher amounts. Horses have a high tolerance for large dosages.

Hope this is helpful,

Dr. Getty

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Thanks for the info Dr. Getty. Will have to try Quiessance. Our 16 year old gelding was very heavy when we got him, fatty deposits on his top line. We put him on a diet and have gotten him in good shape, except for his neck, it's very cresty. He gets 3-4 hrs of pasture time everyday in the summer, trail ridden 2-3 times a week and dry lotted the rest of the time. Seems like he gains lbs at the sight of food. Have any other suggestions for him? What about hay in the winter time, Alfalfa or Grass? We've been giving him Alfalfa in the past years. He weighs around 1100lbs,15.3 hands,up to date on all shots & dental care, and is a Quarter horse.
Thanks Again, Judy

Where are you from? Atkinson,IL (Midwest)

How did you locate this forum? Internet

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Hi Judy,

When you have him in the dry lot area, don’t let him go for more than 1 to 2 hours without some grass hay to nibble on. Horses are trickle feeders, meaning their digestive tracts are designed to have small amounts of forage all the time. Without this, they develop ulcers, and in addition – and you’ll find this interesting – their stress level increases. Stress causes the secretion of cortisol, which in turn, increases insulin. The result? Fat storage!

So, the answer is to give him grass hay when he’s not grazing. Spread it around so he has to walk a little here and there to get it.

Alfalfa is fine – a flake or two each day, in addition to his grass hay, would be good for him.

Avoid all grain – none. This is contributing to his insulin resistance. So, no oats, or pelleted feed made from oats or other grains. And no sweet feed.

And Quiessence will definitely make a difference.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Thanks for all your help Dr Getty!

Where are you from? Atkinson,IL (Midwest)

How did you locate this forum? Internet

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Dr Getty;
One more thing about the Quiessance. Since you said no grain, witch we don't anyway, should we just put it on top of the hay when we feed him?

Where are you from? Illinois

How did you locate this forum? Internet

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Hi Judy,

You may end up wasting much of it if you place it on the hay. How 'bout offering a small meal of unsweetened beet pulp or alfalfa pellets -- you can add it to that.

Dr. Getty

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

I am sorry to but in, but what exactly does extra magnesium do in a horses body, and what kind of conditions does it help with. It sounds like it is good for insulin resistant horeses. why? I am just a bit confused Dr Getty, could you clarify it? Thank you

Re: Quiessance Magnesium

Hi Jamie,

That is an excellent question!

A horse that is insulin resistant has high levels of circulating insulin in his blood. This elevated level of insulin interferes with the body’s ability to store magnesium.

Since magnesium is a cofactor in several enzymes that are involved in carbohydrate metabolism, a vicious cycle occurs as the horse gets heavier. More body fat leads to more insulin resistance, which leads to lowered body magnesium. In a low magnesium environment, fat cells become even more insulin resistant, leading to higher insulin levels. And the cycle repeats itself. So, by adding magnesium to the diet, insulin resistance is lowered.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

insulin intolerance

My shoer has expressed a concern that my 16 year old mustang might develope insulin intolerance if fed the wrong feed. We have the opportunity to get wheat hay at a good price this year. Would this be bad for a suseptable horse? You have said "no oat hay, or other grain hay" for hroses with insulin problems... wheat would be a "grain hay", right? What symptoms would my horse exhibit if a problem were developing? The shoer is concerned that she is such an easy keeper. She is chubby, and cresty. (We can't seem to slim her down, even though we feed her very little. She eats her own poop when we cut back on her feed...the ultimate 're-cycling horse'!!) Also, the shoer is concerned that she has such large, knotty acorns.

Where are you from? Sierra Valley, California

How did you locate this forum? looking for info. on insulin intolerance online

Re: insulin intolerance

Hi Kim,

Yes, you're correct -- wheat hay is a grain hay and is not appropriate for your horse. The fact that she has a cresty neck is a warning sign that she is insulin resistant and could develop laminitis.

But you should never restrict hay. She should have all the grass hay she wants -- but it needs to be low in starch and sugar. If you restrict hay, she will look for anything she can chew on to relieve her pain and discomfort. Horses' stomach secrete acid continually and saliva (from chewing) is a natural antacid. If she goes for hours without anything to eat, she will develop an ulcer and may very well colic.

This is also very stressful, which can trigger a laminitis attack. Stress causes the release of cortisol, a stress hormone. The result is more insulin circulating in the blood (which she already has too much of from her insulin resistance), which will cause the laminae in the feet to separate from the hoof wall.

So bottom line... have your hay tested. The percent WSC plus percent starch should be less than 12%. Feed her as much as she wants, do not feed her any concentrated meals. She can have a very small meal to add supplements, however. She does need magnesium -- I recommend Quiessence -- 1 ounce per 250 lbs of body weight. This will help her lose the cresty neck by lowering circulating insulin levels (the more insulin, the more fat storage).

Keep me posted.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

kim wilbanks
My shoer has expressed a concern that my 16 year old mustang might develope insulin intolerance if fed the wrong feed. We have the opportunity to get wheat hay at a good price this year. Would this be bad for a suseptable horse? You have said "no oat hay, or other grain hay" for hroses with insulin problems... wheat would be a "grain hay", right? What symptoms would my horse exhibit if a problem were developing? The shoer is concerned that she is such an easy keeper. She is chubby, and cresty. (We can't seem to slim her down, even though we feed her very little. She eats her own poop when we cut back on her feed...the ultimate 're-cycling horse'!!) Also, the shoer is concerned that she has such large, knotty acorns.

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO