Just as the title states. Has anyone found it to really move the Insulin Level numbers down? I’ve got two on it and it really seems to have done nothing number wise, but now I’m afraid to stop just in case it’s woking. Pony is treated with metformin, the mini was treated with steglatro but is being transitioned back to metformin as his levels, while still up a little, was much more consistent on metformin. Both on appropriate diets. Weight good.
I’d like to stop IW. Thanks!
Neither InsulinWise nor Metabarol helped my two IR horses. Resvantage did…dropped insulin levels 20+ points into normal range.
One horse eats 4 capsules in a cup of Unbeetable damped w warm water so the capsules stick.
I cut the capsules open at the tip and scrape the gel out and put it in a syringe w a bit of water for the other one.
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Oh…I tried both InsulinWise pellets (wouldn’t eat) and powder. That stuff sets up like concrete in a syringe.
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Didn’t do a thing for my pony’s numbers.
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IW has 1 research cited for its use
Unfortunately there was no control group, and I don’t know the dose of each ingredient vs the IW product.
Personally, as $$$ as that product is, I’d probably look to using chromium propionate at 4mg/day as a starting point.
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I actually did have a good experience with it for two mares (both had elevated insulin levels drop back down into “high normal” range with use). But, as a researcher myself, I always have to say it was correlational, not causal. Both mares also had other management changes at the same time, most notably, grazing muzzles added. Since I threw a bunch of things at them at the same time, once their numbers were in a better place, I really didn’t want to change anything so kept going with it.
For what it’s worth, my vet has built up a fairly large collection of anecdotes similar to mine, and does tend to recommend it for IR/EMS horses.
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My horse was on InsulinWise for several months, and his insulin stayed above 200 even on a double dose. The vet said InsulinWise is moderately effective for some horses, so I guess it was worth a try.
The vet switched my horse to ertugliflozin (generic Steglatro) and his insulin went from over 200 to 32 in just 6 weeks. We’re now weaning him off it–half dose for 2 weeks, then quarter dose for 2 weeks, then check insulin again. If it stays down we’ll probably discontinue the drug and put him back on it next spring. For my horse, this has been a miracle drug and well worth the money ($189 for 200 mL from Wedgewood Pharmacy).
@cayuse, do your horses have PPID? That can elevate the insulin level if it isn’t well controlled.
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Yes, both PPID. They have been tested recently, the mini within the last 6 weeks and are under control.
My vet consulted with a specialist (idk who or where) re the mini’s lackluster response to the steglatro and they weren’t surprised. I was told if a horses numbers are elevated but not astronomical, sometimes the steglatro doesn’t seem work as well on those horses. If the numbers are super high, it works excellent. Neither vet knows why but it’s a trend that has been noticed. Both vets thought he’d be better off on the met at this point.
We are also weaning 1/2 dose, then 1/4 dose for 2 weeks while starting the met back up.
If we end up having to go back on it I’ll look into Wedgewood. I’m paying about $398 a month for 30 pills.
I threw a bunch of changes at them too and that’s why I hesitate to change!
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Yes it does, we mix it and run right out and dose him! Dan does it, my hands say nope! I have IW all over everything most of the time from the plunger sticking and then suddenly letting go 
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Thanks to all for all the responses so far!
I think chromium is in the mini’s Remission, I’ll check that out. Thanks!
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If you get the pellets, it’s tastier than the powder.
https://www.scahealth.com/p/ultracruz-equine-chromium-yeast-horse-supplement?
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I called the InsulinWise people. They told me the double dose would make no difference. I thought it was very nice of them as I would cheerfully have paid more if it worked.
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That’s very interesting, and my horse’s experience seems to validate that observation.
Also, FWIW, my horse has consistently been stalled at night and wearing a grazing muzzle during the day for more than 10 years, so there were no management or diet changes that would account for the drop in insulin that I saw with ertugliflozin.
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I have one who is insulin resistant, but does not have Cushings. Insulin wise, combined with changes in management, brouht her level down to high normal.
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Chromium yeast is different from the propionate form which has shown to help with improving insulin sensitivity. And, propionate, not picolinate (another form sometimes used)
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All I know is that this supplement lowered my ponys numbers considerably and helped his cresty neck decrease, and his sheath is no longer puffy. It works for us and is significantly cheaper than Insulin Wise.
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Thanks for this thread - my vet recommended it for a client and we started him on it but never re checked him. I guess we’ll be doing that now!
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BTW, thank you for explaining that to me a few weeks ago. I switched my boy from MadBarn Amino Trace with chromium yeast to Quiessence with chromium propionate and he’s absolutely thriving. More energy/happy forward under tack, much happier being groomed, and his crest is softening.
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