Did they say how the corn oil is soothing?
I could see corn oil as a potential benefit since (at least according to the few papers) it can increase PGE2 (prostaglandin). PGE2 has protective effects on the stomach (modulates the mucosal integrity). So in that respect, I could see it as a form of treatment.
PPI’s are not a cure, they are a treatment. They shut down acid production so that the ulcers can heal.
But one can treat ulcers without shutting down acid production, correct? At least in theory? I do know that horses heal ulcers on their own, for example when being put out on pasture (reducing concentrated feeds), changing/increasing forage, and reducing stress load.
We are perhaps being told that the only way to treat ulcers is by shutting down acid production, but I am not so sure of that. But I have an inherent distrust of pharmaceutical companies and marketing…
Is that unique to corn oil?
Thank you for the interesting discussion!
Right now I’m leaning towards asking the BO if I can put a slow feeder in so she has constant grass hay, increase the alfalfa a bit, and adding Smart GI. The info on the oil seems pretty conflicting - the fat might reduce excess acid, but it seems the fat in her current feed would do that. We’re only on day 3 of the 28 days of GG though, so I have plenty of time to research and figure this out.
I was going to suggest that you get some small hole hay nets and load them up and let the barn them hang so she has hay most of the time. Sounds like you are onto that already. It is tough at some of these boarding barns to get them fed like they should. Poor Annabelle (and poor Outerbanks 77 bank account). Also, find Simkies thread on using Nexium. Might be a cheaper alternative in the future and for those show and clinic trips.
Susan
Yeah, when I decided to take on a project horse, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind!
I was thinking one of the High Country slow feeders since that would probably be easier for them to load. It needs to be something they can deal with when I’m out of town for several days at a time.
I don’t think so, there are other oils that have high linoleic acid content. Linoleic is a polyunsaturated (essential) omega-6 fatty acid and is used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and cell membranes.
Just buy a bunch of small hole hay nets and fill them yourself. That way all they have to do is hang them. Otherwise a clean muck bucket makes it easy to fill. You just fold the haynet over the muck bucket, insert hay, pull string to close.
the research has been done with corn oil so that is one reason to add it and not some other oil. You need to feed enough oil that you see the “shine” in the poo.
coconut oil would be the best. but if your pocket is good I suggest feeding Forco and alfalfa , and omeprezole daily after 3 months back off the omeprezole. It is said omeprezole will heal the ulcers in a month, but sometimes they relaspe. forco helps get the gut back on track/right. alfalfa is heavier and stays in the stomach longer thus lowering the production of acid eating at the horses stomach.
My trainer loves her hay net loading rack. You could get one for the barn. The easiest is to fill a number of nets ahead of time for them so the rack may be useful for you.
My gelding gets Alfalfa but my mare gets a little hot on it so she doesn’t get it. Both of them get 1/2 cup of Aloe juice twice a day. I’ve never had a recurrence of ulcers in either one. I also treated them both with Omeprazole then put them on the Aloe juice. My vet was the one who told me about it. It cleared up the ulcers in my gelding and his poop looked normal after about a week of using the Aloe Vera Juice prior to treating him. I did treat him with the Omeprazole about 6 months later just because to be sure. He’s been ulcer free for almost 2 years now despite a move to another barn and thena move home to be with me, a bad injury from being kicked in the chest out in a trail, lots of different events including a CTR, general stress of going tons of new places and being hauled out and ridden alone constantly in many new places. The mare gets left alone a lot when my gelding and I haul out. The neighbor says she paces non-stop, calls and runs the fence line for hours until we come back. Yet she hasn’t had any recurrence of ulcers due to that stress. I’m definitely sold on the Aloe and this is why.
Thanks again for all the advice!
I’ve ordered a High Country Plastics Jr. Slow Feeder, so she can have constant access to grass hay in that. I’ll request that the barn give her a flake of alfalfa in the AM and PM. Grain feeding is at noon, and I’m trying to decide the best options there. Leaning towards putting her on Smart GI Ultra for a couple months, then hopefully dropping back to regular Smart GI. Possibly changing out the Renew Gold for some alfalfa pellets and adding the solidified CocoSoya to her SmartPacks. Going to swing by CostCo tomorrow and pick up some generic Nexium to keep on hand in case of stressful periods or recurrence of symptoms. Aloe juice will be an option once temps warm up in the spring. As to my original question, I’m not planning to feed liquid oil at all.
Hopefully that will take care of it. Although she didn’t have obvious symptoms outside of the recurrent colic episodes, she does seem a little perkier and happier after several days on GastroGuard.
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