Thanks for all your enthusiasm over Aaruba's improved health! You all asked enough good questions about Saturday's post about Aloe and MSM for equine gastric ulcers that I decided to answer them here:
For what does MSM stand?
MSM is the abbreviated name for Methylsulfonylmethane, a naturally derived sulphur product with anti-inflammatory properties. The bitter, white substance is frequently used to treat joint problems in equines, as well as other animals and humans. Some believe it may also enhance the curative benefit of aloe or other substances by increasing absorption through enhanced circulation. While a vast array of curative benefits are attributed to MSM (everything from arthritis to ulcers appears on the many lists available online), all are related in some way to inflammation or circulation.
From where did I order my pure aloe gel?
Imedmart.com sells Lily of the Desert aloe products for $15.42 per gallon, which will last two weeks if fed at a rate of 1 cup daily. They offer $5.95 flat-rate shipping.
From where did I order my human-grade MSM?
Kala Health sells MSM in 1-pound, 10-pound, or larger bulk quantities. A 10-pound bucket sells for $139.00, and shipping is free in North America. They offer MSM in powder or course flakes, with or without 0.1% silicon dioxide to prevent clumping. I selected the non-clumping powder, which dissolves quite easily. The flavor is mildly bitter, but I find that 1/2 tsp dissolved in a 1/4 cup of cranberry juice (for my own consumption) is almost undetectable. Aaruba doesn't object to 1 Tbs mixed into a pound of soaked beet pulp.
How did Aaruba get ulcers to begin with?
Causes of equine gastric ulcer syndrome are myriad. We can't be sure, but my vet believes it is likely Aaruba's ulcers were secondary to a serious impaction colic that kept him off feed and highly stressed for several days in October 2007. The problem went undetected until it was exacerbated by the increased stress of endurance conditioning and competition in summer 2008.
Got more questions? Bring 'em on -- I'll do my best!
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Related Posts
Introduction: Equine Gastric Ulcer Series
Strategies for Prevention of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
Pharmaceutical and Alternative Treatment Options for EGUS
Equine Ulcer Supplement Options
EGUS, Endurance, and the AERC
A Fair Question: Equine Athletes, Equine Ulcers
Bringing it Home: EGUS Prevention at In the Night Farm
Sheer Brilliance: Aloe and MSM as Alternative Therapy for EGUS
The Good Bad News: Gastric Ulcers in Equines
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3 comments:
I am so glad that you are getting good results from this. Better yet, it's a more natural product and the cherry on top is the price. I think you might have yourself a Tevis horse there !!
Very happy to hear the treatment is working. I inherited a 100 mile endurance horse in August, Hot Spot, who was on the Aloe MSM and other stuff for ulcers. It worked pretty well for him too. I had crewed for him at a few rides over the last few years. He has had no tummy woes whatsoever since moving into his new life of back yard trail horse and teaching the grandkids to ride. (love the bucking pics too! I'd say there's great action photos!)
Thank you for sharing this with us. My horse is a sufferer and I've had various well meaning advice about herbal remedies all of which just gave my horse expensive wee... But your blog gave me fresh hope as my horse has been through an almost identical medical regime as yours, and you don't strike me as the credulous sort! I'll be following Aaruba's progress with interest, everything crossed for him.
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