SmartGut v Excel?

[leheath]

I suspect my OTTB is a bit prone to ulcers. I am not a fan of long term omeprazole use, so once she has finished her new course of pop rocks, I am want to put her on a supportive supplement. Previously I have used SmartGut and was quite happy with it, but it is rather expensive for long term use. I found a reference to Excel (by DePaolo Equine Concepts http://www.depaoloequineconcepts.com/product/excel.aspx) which seems to have similar ingredients and is significantly cheaper. Any thoughts on these two??

Thanks in advance

[leheath]

87 views and no one has an opinion…

[BlueEyedPaints]

I have used Smart Gut with great success, but never the Excel.

[quarterhorse4me]

Sorry, I have just started the smartgut for preventive maintenance. Hasn’t even been thirty days since treatment but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[leheath]

Bumping up this ancient post just to see if anyone has now had experience with the Excel product? I have a new horse with ulcer issues and am looking for supplemental support after omeprazole treatment. Excel looks good but would love to hear from anyone who has actually used it!

[paintedtrails]

I’ll be watching. I’m literally just starting my gelding on Excel today! Cost wise and ingredient wise it appeared our best choice. I hadn’t been seeing much change with the Daily Gold so moving on.

[Obsidian_Fire]

@leheath

Bumping up this ancient post just to see if anyone has now had experience with the Excel product? I have a new horse with ulcer issues and am looking for supplemental support after omeprazole treatment. Excel looks good but would love to hear from anyone who has actually used it!

A friend of mine uses it for her show horse and swears by it. I’d never heard of it until she told me about it. Please share your results!

[China_Doll]

I use Dr Depoalo’s products. They are not synthetic. He is an equine vet and holistic vet. Very know
edgeable and he is the man that does the video on palpating for ulcers. I had a horse that was sick and no one could diagnose. She was having difficulty eating a regular meal and her stomach was unusually noisy. I went to 2 major hospitals and 3 clinics. I finally found DR DePaolo and did a horse hair analysis. My horse had toxic levels of metal. I did the chelation and after about 2 months her stomach noise went away I went from a vet bill every week or 2 to none in 2 years.my horse is doing well. I also use his daily vitamin. We had previously treated for ulcers and I cntinue on the excel. I periodically use the succeed test to check for ulcers and they have not returned. I treated for both regular and hind gut.

[Libby2563]

I can’t comment on Excel but a few friends use Legends Gastrotech for their horses that are prone to ulcers and other GI issues, and have seen huge benefits. It’s significantly less expensive than SmartGut–about $24 per month for a 1,000-1,200 lb horse. I just started my older guy on it a couple weeks ago because he has been uncharacteristically gassy this winter and he seems a bit better already. It’s pelleted and seems pretty palatable. The one thing I’m not a fan of is that there is no explanation whatsoever of the ingredients.

[mfglickman]

@Libby2563

I can’t comment on Excel but a few friends use Legends Gastrotech for their horses that are prone to ulcers and other GI issues, and have seen huge benefits. It’s significantly less expensive than SmartGut–about $24 per month for a 1,000-1,200 lb horse. I just started my older guy on it a couple weeks ago because he has been uncharacteristically gassy this winter and he seems a bit better already. It’s pelleted and seems pretty palatable. The one thing I’m not a fan of is that there is no explanation whatsoever of the ingredients.

I was considering Gastrotech for my daughter’s OTTB, recommended by a local person who swears by it for her OTTB sale horses. But I am also very concerned that they won’t publish the ingredients. Will check out Excel!

[lmlacross]

I just started mine on Foxden’s Tractgard. Has an antacid component, so it may not be what you’re looking for, but I’ll keep you posted.

[leheath]

I’ve heard good things about Tractgard, but I would prefer something without an antacid for long term use. For the same reason, I am not willing to try the Gastrotech (aside from the fact that I don’t think there is anywhere to buy it in my area). It is super strange to me that they won’t publish their ingredient list. I know they are generally considered a good feed company, but I generally don’t feed myself or my animals anything that doesn’t at least have an ingredient list. At the very least it would be important to know if it contains antacids.

That said, many horses appear to be on supplements which contain antacids for years with no obvious ill effects, so maybe I am needlessly worrying about this aspect of the supplements?

I have been using GUT supplement but it doesn’t appear to have done much for my horse as ulcers have reappeared faster than expected after initial omeprazole treatment. In addition, I can’t feed the higher recommended dose because it is too powdery and she will only eat a 1/2 dose per feed.