Return to Website

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
This Forum is Locked
Author
Comment
Confused by B Supplements

Hello Dr. Getty,

Before I ask my question, I'll provide you with some information about my horse. I have owned my 8 yr. old, 15.1 Morgan cross mare for 1 1/2 years. It has taken her about a year to really settle into her new home. She was formerly turned out with 3 other mares all day, except in winter. She is now the only mare and is turned out 10 hours a day on grass in her own paddock. The 7 horses on the property are all in close proximity to each other in their turnouts so they can see each other. She is fed Poulin 10-12 am/pm (I don't know how many pounds right now - less in the am) and hay at night. She receives Corta-flx (as a preventative measure) and ABC's Plus as her supplements. She is ridden 5-6 days a week, weather and work permitting. Her coat, teeth, feet and weight are all excellent.

My question arises out of her very alert, spooky and tense nature. I was considering switching her from ABC's Plus to B-Plex. She is a very smart mare and does not have any attention issues during training. Her only training issues lie in her tightness at the beginning of a ride, which she warms out of. Based on this limited information, do you think that B-Plex, rather than Quiessence or some other supplement, would be the right choice? I do like the fact that the B-Plex and Corta-flx are economical and identical in the number of servings.

Thank you for your advice. I hope you are now fully recovered from your unfortunate accident.

Carole

Where are you from? Massachusetts

How did you locate this forum? Through my friend Suzanne Quigley

Re: Confused by B Supplements

Hello Carole,

Thank you for writing about your mare. You are wise to consider adding more B vitamins to her diet to help calm her nervous system in a way that addresses her increased need for these vitamins. B Plex is an excellent option, especially since you are already feeding a complete commercial ration. She really doesn't require a full, comprehensive supplement like the ABC product you're using. Instead, adding more of what she specifically needs would be in her best interest.

You mentioned Quiessence, and it, too, is a favorable idea. But, let's do one at a time. Magnesium and the B vitamins work in different ways. So, give her 2 ounces per day of B Plex until you see a difference and then cut back to 1 ounce per day as a maintenance dose. If she still is a little jumpy, then I strongly recommend adding Quiessence because most horses do not get enough magnesium.

I hope this is helpful. Please keep me posted!

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Re: Confused by B Supplements

Thank you, Dr. Getty. That's exactly what I'll do.

Where are you from? Massachusetts

How did you locate this forum? Through my friend Suzanne Quigley

Re: Confused by B Supplements

Hi Carole,

You're most welcome. I'm glad to help.

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO