I'm looking for anyone who has used these, whether they liked them or not. I'm not asking about omeprazole (gastroguard) I'm asking about the daily suppliments that you feed once ulcers are under control, to help prevent them. The clinicians at the hospital all have mixed feelings on them and none of them have personal experience so I'm just seeing what people of the forum and tried and liked or disliked.
People in my barn, and my vet, like U-Guard. I'm going to get it through SmartPak (I'm addicted to their smartpak premeasures lol). But otherwise I don't have experience with the supplements.
I just baught a months supply of SmartGut from SMart pak for my mare, she has alot o the symptoms of ulcers so my trainer suggested it, She got started on it yesterday morning so Idk how its work but will be seeing her on tuesday. I was told its fast acting and my trainer only had to have her gelding on it for 1 month and he was and has been cleared up for 2 years now.
I like smart pak a lot in general. So, did you use these after a round of omeprazole or just to help out a horse with suspected ulcers? Tanner has been diagnosed with ulcers and they are under control now but I want to make sure I prevent them. He'll be losing his pasturemate to whom he is extremely bonded in a couple months and I want to get him on something before then since any little change seems to set his guts off.
Yeah any change and my mare has the smae problem, I hada vet tell me they suspected it after i told him about what I saw and how she acted and then my trainer said she mite, So I got the smartGut to see if she acts or looks like she feels better, i she digests things better gets a littler perkier and stuff. If my trainer nad I think she still has them ater i am out of the amount I got we will call the vet.
WOW insane, It cost me 41.00 for 1 month! My mare better be eating it... now that i think of it though im not to worried... she has a tendancy to steal anything from everyone.. a bag of pretzals...deritos...my apple pie from McDs and french fries haha o and she likes the Msflurries
I have to sell mine, 2 scoops have been taken out of it - other than that, it's in brand new condition.
Smart Pak gave me a store credit, but this powder has to go. I'm waiting for the pelleted form to come out. Nelson really needs it too with his tummy problems and uclers.
Mercedes, he has been treated for ulcers for years before I got him and I don't have a lot of history on his husbandry, just vet records to go off of. However, I suspect that it had a lot to do with being stalled and a lesson horse as he is a nutter butter OTTB and hates a stall and inconsistancy (eg. a new student rider every time he is taken out). When I got him he had been moved three times in three months so I think that contributed to the problem.
I like the idea of natural treatments very much but with as much damage as recurrent ulcers for years and years have caused I am skeptical at how much they can help. I say this because I have ulcers too, which bleed from time to time, and the only thing that really helps get them under control is omeprazole and watching my diet and stress levels very carefully. Probably not a bad idea to add some of these things to his diet to see how he does though!
Most of the ulcer products out there are largely herbal based when you get right down to it.
Herbs require 'time' to work. They are slower to show results than conventional medicine. So for an ulcer attack you'd want to go with something that relieves symptoms immediately. For maintenance you can then go with slower acting things like the herbs.
As with anything, it's going to require some experimenting with types and dosages until the best combination is achieved. You might even experiment with the form of herb, whether it be dried, cut and sifted, a tea or a tincture. The different forms bring forth different properties and strengths of properties.
Obviously, your biggest challenges will be keeping a good balance of gut flora, and preventing a rise in PH level. So, having him be able to munch 'all day long' on hay would help, as well as daily supplementing of a probiotic. That may be enough on it's own, especially if you are managing his stress levels with turnout and exercise.
In the end, you know him best so go with what feels right for him.
I wish he could munch all day long. The barn I'm at is less than ideal when it comes to feeding. A few of us wanted to go in on a round bale but they refused and no matter how many times I have said no alfalfa, I keep finding it being fed. I wish I could move him but we are trapped here for two more years so the best I can do is check on him every day and stay on top of the BM.
I have had a lot of luck with peppermint, fennel, and marshmallow tea for myself (with licorice root as an adjuvent), maybe I'll start with some of these and see if he will eat them, he can be kind of picky if it isn't drowned in molasses. I may end up finding the world's best homeopathic ulcer preventative and then I can quit vet school and spend all day with my boy! dare to dream right?
I have had a lot of luck with peppermint, fennel, and marshmallow tea for myself (with licorice root as an adjuvent), maybe I'll start with some of these and see if he will eat them, he can be kind of picky if it isn't drowned in molasses. I may end up finding the world's best homeopathic ulcer preventative and then I can quit vet school and spend all day with my boy! dare to dream right?
As a general rule...if they won't readily eat them (or whatever the additive is that you're giving), then you've got the wrong/wrong dose. That pickiness is also likely related to, 'when I eat, it upsets my stomach'.
Best of luck attaining your dream!
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