Aloe Vera capsules for ulcers?

[2bayboys]

So I was recently diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and started taking aloe vera capsules as recommended. Within three days my bladder pain and irritation subsided substantially and now two weeks after starting the aloe vera, my symptoms are gone. I also have an abdominal ulcer that was likely caused by long term NSAID use (damn arthritis), and those symptoms have improved a lot too. YAY!

Has anybody ever tried the aloe vera capsules for their horse’s ulcer symptoms or other digestive issues? I’ve tried aloe vera juice and didn’t see any real change, but the capsules I use are super concentrated and I’m just curious if they might give more or better relief. Just curious!

[trubandloki]

I have known people who use the aloe juice (don’t ask me what is actually in it) and claim it helps their horses.
I am interested to see what people here have to say about this.

PS, I am glad this is helping you and you are feeling better.

[atr]

I use the concentrated aloe vera pellets from Smartpak. Horse has got over his girthing snarkiness since being on them.

They are easy to feed as I can put them in my feed baggies and the barn doesn’t have to worry about dealing with handling extra liquids. They are pretty cheap, too.

[Angela_Freda]

As a preventative, I’d think it would help, or in conjunction with actual treatment.
But as sole treatment for active ulcers, I’m less convinced, based on my own ulcers

[jvanrens]

We used to buy the jugs of Aloe Vera Juice at Walmart for the horses. Our sensitive snowflake boy only took a couple of cups with his feed over two days to start eating all his feed. I used to keep some in the fridge for me when my stomach acid was getting bad, and my stomach went right back to feeling fine in no time.

Will it cure ulcers? No idea, but it sure helps calm things down in my completely anecdotal experience.

[Kyrabee]

I use the SmartPak pellets that atr does.

I treated her for ulcers late last summer (poor man’s treatment with Nexium) and her outlook on life improved immensely. I give her Outlast before I ride and thought I would try the Aloe Vera to keep her supplement baggy simple. Liquids won’t work. So far, so good.

Susan

[sascha]

@Kyrabee

Liquids won’t work.

If you haven’t tried it, (and if you have, apologies for suggesting) aloe vera gel is actually pretty tasty for horses, not so much to humans. lol Anyway, I’m currently using it for one and it took her exactly 2 doses to go, “Mmm, gimme the syringe! Ok, great! Now gimme my minty, because I know there’s also a minty for sucking back the delicious slime!” I find it super simple to just dose before I start grooming.

[atr]

By “liquids won’t work,” I think Susan means that for those of us who baggie our feeds, liquids won’t work in the baggies. Pellets do.

[sascha]

I was thinking of instead of the Outlast before riding as it probably works out less expensive

[Kyrabee]

I can give that a try. Always interested in keeping costs down. Supplements go in a baggy but for the pre-ride prophylaxis, I could try the av juice. I will do a cost analysis😉.

I moved my horse in late 2021 going from self care (except for feeding) to full care. Then inflation and hay surcharges on my fixed income and yes, anything that would save some $$ and accomplish the same thing.

Susan

[Atlas_Shrugged]

I have a serious horse show friend who insists on pouring it on the feed - she gets it at the health food store

[mmeqcenter]

I’ve used Aloe juice and capsules for my mare, happy with both. It won’t cure ulcers, for sure, but it will help ease some of the pain while they’re being treated, and it is a great preventative.