I’ve read all of the threads that come up when searching MSM possibly causing adverse reactions and just want to say that I definitely have a horse who does not respond well to it! I got notice from the barn manager that one of my guys has been a terror to bring in for feeding, which is highly abnormal for him. He’s also been wild under saddle (lots of bucking, spooking and running off with me, which he hasn’t done in years!) and cranky with ears pinned. After free lunging him last week and seeing the terror in his eyes, I realized that he was beyond anxious! I read the previous threads and immediately took him off the MSM. Now about a week off of it, he is back to his normal self. This is the only change in his management in several months. I had him on vita-flex’s msm for a couple of weeks. It’s not 100% pure so maybe it’s the added ingredients that caused the issues. Just wanted to share in case anyone else questions their horse’s behavior on MSM.
I have 8 horses in the barn and 4 are on MSM. There have been no differences in their behaviours. It’s pure, no additives; perhaps it is the additives. However as we all know, each horse is different.
Jet did the same thing when I tried him on a supplement that was supposed to help their coat, hooves, and give them a calm attitude. Jet acted like he was seeing dead people, and jumping out of his skin. One week later after removing it, he was back to normal. But a lot of posters had tried the same supplement and loved it. It was Glaanzen 3 or something like that.
I had a mare that went whacko on MSM. I did re-challenge her with it and for a second time got all spooky and flaky. Took her off again and she was her old self. Definitely not the supplement for her.
My current mare has been on it for years with no problems.
Susan
Yes, indeed. My old man is quite frightening on it.
Our mule, a normally bombproof kids’ horse, was a jumpy, nervous mess on MSM. He actually ran me over in the paddock and knocked me over! Like Burnedout’s horse, after a week off it he was back to his old self.
I’d love to know why some horses get all crazy on it. Pain? Ulcers?
Anyone have this reaction with SmartBreathe? This is 2 1/2 months, and it seems to have helped his cough. But today he was very freaked by a loose horse,caught by people no problem, when I was walking him to turn out. He did have his flymask on and it was pretty late in the day but really? 2 people and a horse in an unusual place?
I love the stuff, but I also have had one go berserk on it. It’s a very “real” side effect and you just cannot use it with some horses.
MaybeMorgan: with my horse, the dramatic changes in his personality cropped up within a couple days. My hunch is if your horse had no issues with it for the past 2.5 months, it’s probably not the MSM that set him off. But anything is possible.
I had the same experience with my horse. He was completely nutty on MSM.
Just another good example of why NO substance should be fed unless there is truly a clinical indication for its use.
Absolutely. ANYTHING you put into a horses body (or your own) can have side effects. Even if you know exactly how much of what and with the supplement industry unregulated you often don’t know exactly what is in it since its not required. Or it’s a “proprietary blend” meaning it’s a secret. Add to that quality control is hit or miss so one batch may be different from previous ones and you suddenly have problems with something you have been using for a long time.
Be careful. There is such a thing as over supplementation and negative interactions between various substances. Some vets will tell you colic can and does result.
Wow. I wasn’t aware that MSM could have this effect. Lucky for me my guy is fine on it.
:o
[QUOTE=MaybeMorgan;8285381]
Anyone have this reaction with SmartBreathe? This is 2 1/2 months, and it seems to have helped his cough. But today he was very freaked by a loose horse,caught by people no problem, when I was walking him to turn out. He did have his flymask on and it was pretty late in the day but really? 2 people and a horse in an unusual place?[/QUOTE]
It includes 5000 mg of MSM so I suppose its possible if your horse has an MSM sensitivity.
[QUOTE=MaybeMorgan;8285381]
Anyone have this reaction with SmartBreathe? This is 2 1/2 months, and it seems to have helped his cough. But today he was very freaked by a loose horse,caught by people no problem, when I was walking him to turn out. He did have his flymask on and it was pretty late in the day but really? 2 people and a horse in an unusual place?[/QUOTE]
IMO, it’s more likely an isolated occurance and he just had a stupid moment. The weather is changing to fall and we have had some chilly nights and mornings in the last few days as we alternate between hot, muggy and fronts bringing down the temps every few days. Brings out the spooks and sillies while sending mares into the dreaded transitional estrus cycles.
IME if something is going to have side effects, you’ll see it before the 10 week point. But do rot be afraid to pull him off of it if it makes you more comfortable. May not actually be worth it if there is no great improvement in his cough.
MSM = methylsulfonylmethane. It contains sulfur which can be extremely irritating to the gut.
It is very possible that the “crazies” you see in some horses might be their reaction to intestinal irritation, even if they don’t have ulcers. Just like people, some horses don’t tolerate certain things as well as other animals might.
I have used MSM on maybe 15 horses, mostly TBs, over the years, and only 1 had any sort of reaction to it. Turned my steady eddie into a snorting, spooky maniac. Removed the MSM from his diet and he returned to normal in a few days. I figure he has an allergy or sensitivity. There are a number of foods that cause me problems if I eat them, it happens.
[QUOTE=jetsmom;8285309]
Jet did the same thing when I tried him on a supplement that was supposed to help their coat, hooves, and give them a calm attitude. Jet acted like he was seeing dead people, and jumping out of his skin. One week later after removing it, he was back to normal. But a lot of posters had tried the same supplement and loved it. It was Glaanzen 3 or something like that.[/QUOTE]
That could be the flax in it too, though. The mare I had lost her ever-loving mind on flax.
There’s a very elderly, mild mannered gelding at my barn who will literally tear fences down to attack other horses if he gets MSM.
I have one that gets spooky on it and another who gets the most vile smelling farts one could imagine from it. Clear out an indoor arena kind of bad.
Thank you for the PSA. I have both of mine on it currently for allergies and some joint issues. One of them has been getting quite irritable lately and I have been struggling to figure out why…will remove MSM and see what happens.
