Hello Kim,

Thank you for writing about your horse. You're doing a fine job with one exception -- that is feeding oats. An insulin resistant horse should not have any cereal grains since these dramatically raise blood insulin levels and promote fat storage.

About the Chromium -- D Carb Balance provides 2 mgs per 2 oz serving, which I feel better about than the 7-14 mg you mentioned. There is no requirement for chromium provided by the National Research Council and it is recommended that horses limit their intake to no more than 4 mg per day.

D Carb balance is also a vitamin/mineral supplement so you would not give him this product along with another vitamin/mineral supplement. Otherwise, overlaps could be produced.

Quiessence is a magnesium oxide supplement and also contains chromium. I don't know how much magnesium oxide you're feeding but your horse would do best on 5,000 mg per 250 lbs of body weight and it generally takes 4 to 6 months to see a weight reduction.

I hope this is helpful. If you find that a personal phone consultation would be helpful, please let me know. I would very much like to go over the potential for overlaps in his diet - in particular your use of free-choice minerals. Horses do not have the ability to ascertain their need for minerals, which the exception of a few electrolytes. Hence, the risk of interactions becomes a real concern when offering them free-choice.

So, let me know if I can assist you further.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Dr. Getty,

Thank you so much for your response. I will be calling you for a consult as you suggested. I think that would be a great idea. I will give consideration to the oats. I do realize they are not the best for IR horses, but I had such a problem with our local feed company and moldy food, I had to do something, thus the oats. I haven't been sold 100% on beet pulp as a horse feed, I need to do some more research on it before I switch his diet AGAIN. He is doing sooooo well right now, I am afraid to change anything, but spring is coming and the grass will be growing and I am starting to get nervous if you get my drift. I have taken a lot of flak over his diet, but if you could see him a year ago and now, you would not believe it is the same horse. I must be doing something right . Thanks for the words of encouragement! I will also review his salt/mineral supplement. I purchased it from Dr. Dan Moore (the Natural Horse Vet) and he told me that it was perfectly safe to leave out free choice. I just want to be 100% sure I am not over loading any of my horses.

Sincerely,
Kim

Where are you from? Mineral, Va.

How did you locate this forum? Searching for a Chromium Supplement for my IR horse

Hi Kimberly,

Glad to help and I'll look forward to visiting with you further about your horse.

Regarding free choice minerals... horses do not have the ability to ascertain their blood levels of minerals, with the exception of electrolytes magnesium, sodium, chloride, and potassium. But minerals such as iron, manganese, zinc, calcium, and others cannot be fed free choice with the expectation that the horse will eat what he needs.

I know this method of feeding is popular but it is not based on scientific principles.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO