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
Hello Anne,
Yes, trust is the major factor. But from a nutritional perspective, borderline deficiencies need to be ruled out. The best training in the world will not be effective if the horse is not able to respond due to deficiencies in B vitamins, magnesium, and a full complement of vitamins and minerals needed to keep tissues and the nervous system healthy.
I prefer thiamin (B1) as a supplement because it generally takes 1000 mg of B1 it have a positive impact on behavior.
Magnesium is also critical -- 5,000 mg per day to start, building up to 10,000 mg per day, if necessary.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
the no. one word is Trust; if you can get Sam to Trust you; this is the whole key to his health; always use the same words when you speak to Sam; let him know when you say: Good Boy Sam you mean it; then give him a quick neck massage or a brushing...
do not go from one type of training to another; try one type of training and stay with that; because too many types of training can confuse any Equine...
always speak in a calm voice; now as far as calming supplements; you say you want something good for the mind...The Vitamins I know of good for the mind are:
Vitamin B1 Thiamine; Vitamin B12 and Magnesium a mineral; what I would concentrate on is Thiamine B1;
Stablilized Rice Bran is very high in this Vitamin B1
I recommend the Rice Bran because is natural Vit. B1
(you can buy Thiamine Vitamin B1 as a powder too...)
Thiamine Vitamin B1 will help Sam to hear your commands and understand what you want him to do...
I would ask Dr. Getty for her professional advice: B1
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
Hi Cristine,
The best way I can assist you would be to visit with you over the phone so I can spend time going over the details of your two horses and customize plans for them.
But in the meantime, I recommend MMX -- this is a "calming" supplement. But it is calming by meeting borderline magnesium and B vitamin deficiencies, rather than through herbal means. Most horses do not get enough magnesium, for example, causing "sensitive" behavior that interferes with training and normal function.
Your horse definitely has had problems in his past, making it worthwhile to enlist the help of a behavior specialist. But from a nutritional perspective, I have had excellent results with MMX when there is a deficiency component to the behavior (which is more often the case, than not).
All the best,
Dr. Getty
He eats soaked beet pulp and LMF Prime Time which is what I feed the 30 year old with good teeth, but probably should switch due to high molasses. Perhaps Sam should stay away from sugary complete feeds as well. I don't mind feeding two different feeds at all so do you have any ideas for Sam. He is lovely and loves me and tries his heart out to please but has some very deep fears and betrayals. He had 4 owners before me, one of which abandoned him out in the Mojave Desert and Sam spent 11 months there before California Fish and Game Dept. could catch him via tranquilizer dart gun. I would rather work with his mind and herbs and vitamins rather than "calming" supplements. Sorry to be so wordy, but am wondering if he is magnesium deficient, or I read on post about B-vitamins. Again, I am trying not to stay up and read until dawn. I was pretty tired at work today.Thank you from me and Sam
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO