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
Hi Heather,
D Carb Balance is an excellent supplement for the IR horse but it would require additional magnesium to treat the cresty neck that your horse has developed. And, since it is has other ingredients, it would not go well with any other vitamin/mineral supplementation.
Carb X is a better choice if you're already providing vitamins and minerals, because two ounces would provide 12,000 mg of magnesium and it also contains a herb known as gymnema sylvestri, which helps lower circulating insulin levels. To bring the magnesium up to a therapeutic dosage, you could add one rounded scoop of Quiessence.
Yes, the human supplementation is fine, in the meantime.
If we haven't already discussed it, be sure to have your hay tested for a low percent non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) -- less than 12%.
And no carrots or apples. Skode's treats are a wonderful option.
Keep me posted.
Dr. Getty 
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
Thank you Dr. Getty. I ended up ordering the Quiessence, but oddly enough, before even giving him it, his crest seems to be down. Maybe I'm losing it 
, but it does seem better, still there, but not that noticeable. At any rate, I gave him 4oz of the Quiessence today, his first dose.
The problem with testing my hay is that I am currently feeding from 3 different suppliers. The growing season was very poor last summer and thus I needed to go to different farmers in order to have enough. I'm hoping that won't be the case this year, I'd like to test the hay that I buy in June and if it is good, then buy all I need for the year. Crossing my fingers....
Thank you for all your time and input!
Where are you from? WI
How did you locate this forum? internet
Hi Heather,
I agree with you -- if you don't have two to three months worth of hay supply, it really isn't feasible to have it analyzed. Sometimes, feedstores have a hay analysis report available. The hay provider may offer the report with the supply, which often gets filed in a file cabinet and forgotten. So, ask the manager if such a report exists.
And soon we'll have a new season, so I like your plan to have enough hay to make it worth your while to have it analyzed.
Regarding Quiessence -- if your horse's crestiness is subsiding, it may not be necessary to give a full 4-scooop dose. The maintenance dose is 1 scoop per 500 lbs. The treatment dose is 1 scoop per 250 lbs. So, somewhere in between may be more appropriate.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
, but it does seem better, still there, but not that noticeable. At any rate, I gave him 4oz of the Quiessence today, his first dose. The problem with testing my hay is that I am currently feeding from 3 different suppliers. The growing season was very poor last summer and thus I needed to go to different farmers in order to have enough. I'm hoping that won't be the case this year, I'd like to test the hay that I buy in June and if it is good, then buy all I need for the year. Crossing my fingers....
Thank you for all your time and input!
Where are you from? Bayfield
How did you locate this forum? CO