Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Dr. Getty
While checking through your website, I began to see a striking similarity to IR symptoms and my 6yr. old TWH gelding. Most recently while riding I noticed he has a wobbly, cresty neck (very new), recently he's also had occasional swollen sheath. He is always very kind and laid back, but rather lethargic and slow to warm-up on rides, lately he's been even less focused and calling to my mare on solo rides.
About 2 months ago I increased the seniorwhich has yummy molasses) that I use as a carrier for their Glanzen3. They've also had quite a bit of carrots and apples from well meaning friends over the holidays.
I see a definite connection to increased sugar and his symptoms. So, yesterday I started both on Purina Wellsolve as the carrier for Glanzen3. I will switch to Glanzen Lite Complete when I run out. I have ordered Quiessence. No more sugary food, only one carrot or apple/day. They have 24/7 turn out and ride 4-6 days/week. Plenty of quality hay.
How does this sound? Any further suggestions? I am basically horrified that I did this to my boy, but so very thankful for your excellent website which started me on the path to learning about IR. I've been doing tons of research on line, and you have the most concise and practical understanding approach to dealing with this. Thank you so much for being here.
Where are you from? San Luis Obispo, California
How did you locate this forum? it's one of my favorites
Hi 10 Walker,
Congratulations -- you are to be commended for being proactive and getting your horse on the right tract.
Purina Wellsolve is fine for extra calories that are safe to feed. And I definitely recommend you continue feedingQuiessence. He should have 5,000 mg of magnesium per 250 lbs of body weight. So, calculate how much magnesium he's getting from Purina Wellsolve L/S and add the appropriate amount of Quiessence.
Glanzen is fine, but you're correct in choosing Glanzen Lite Complete to fill in the nutritional gaps while also providing omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3s are beneficial for so many reasons (joints, hair, skin, immune function, and reduction of inflammation) but they also regulate blood insulin levels, and are therefore important for insulin resistance. So, if you are not able to give the full dose of Glanzen Lite Complete since he's getting vitamins/minerals from the Purina feed, consider adding some plain flaxseed meal in the form of Nutra Flax.
One last suggestion... have your hay analyzed. You'll want to know the %WSC and the %Starch. These two numbers added together give you the percent non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) which should be under 12% for the IR horse. You can contact your county extension service or Equi-Analytical - www.equi-analytical.com
Keep me posted,
Dr. Getty 
About 2 months ago I increased the seniorwhich has yummy molasses) that I use as a carrier for their Glanzen3. They've also had quite a bit of carrots and apples from well meaning friends over the holidays.
I see a definite connection to increased sugar and his symptoms. So, yesterday I started both on Purina Wellsolve as the carrier for Glanzen3. I will switch to Glanzen Lite Complete when I run out. I have ordered Quiessence. No more sugary food, only one carrot or apple/day. They have 24/7 turn out and ride 4-6 days/week. Plenty of quality hay.
How does this sound? Any further suggestions? I am basically horrified that I did this to my boy, but so very thankful for your excellent website which started me on the path to learning about IR. I've been doing tons of research on line, and you have the most concise and practical understanding approach to dealing with this. Thank you so much for being here.
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
My twh gelding has been on loading dose of quiessence for just over 2 weeks and I already see a huge improvement in his confidence (more relaxed, less worried on the trail), crest is definitely down, swollen sheath is no more. When do I lower the 4 oz./day to 2 oz./day. If symptoms start to appear do I just boost the dosage up? Thanks so much for your info.
Where are you from? California
How did you locate this forum? web search
Hi 10 Walker,
Since you're starting to see his fatty deposits diminish, you can decrease Quiessence to 3 scoops per day. Do this until his crestiness is completely down and then decrease to a maintenance dose of 2 scoops per day. If you notice the fat deposits start to creep back, or if his behavior changes for the worse, you can increase the dosage again.
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
My twh gelding's IR symptoms (that I listed above) are now completely gone, thanks to Quiessence (since Jan. 2010) and Glanzen Lite Complete (since Feb.2010). He now get 2 scoops of Glanzen Lite complete and 2 Scoops of Quiessence, and 1 Tbs. plain salt with 1/2 lb. alfalfa pellets as carrier. Do I wean him off the Quiessence? Is there enough magnesium in GLC. Thanks again for this advice that has helped my horse so much.
Where are you from? California
How did you locate this forum? search
Greetings 10Walker,
How wonderful -- congratulations on a job, well done!
Glanzen Lite Complete does not contain added magnesium, so I recommend continuing on a maintenance dose of Quiessence -- 1 scoop per 500 lbs of body weight. If that's 2 scoops per day, you can try reducing it to 1 to 1 1/2 scoops per day and watch for any beginnings of fat deposits.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A horse
Where are you from? Bayfield
How did you locate this forum? CO